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Cruzer Bug
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 8:09 AM
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Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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I read on this forum (can't find it now - that's why I'm askin') that there is something inside the air filter box that, if removed, might free up the air flow a bit. Can someone describe what this is and if it is really worthwhile doing? They mentioned that removal makes the airflow sound a bit louder - sound like its functoin is like an air flow muffler. Is it that 3" dia. white colored cylindrical shaped thing with holes inside it?
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Top Down better than Bottoms Up
(This post was edited by Cruzer Bug on Oct 20, 2007, 6:54 PM)
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Posts: 77 | From: Destin, FL
| Registered: Mar 25, 2007, 11:51 AM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 9:11 AM
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Re: [Cruzer Bug] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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It looks like this:
Snaps right off.
To improve airflow, in addition to removing this piece, you may saw off the part of the air inlet pipe that extends into the air box toward the bottom of the box. The other side of this piece snaps into the top of the left wheel well. If you remove the airbox, this piece snaps out.
You can mark the extra bit while it is still attached to the box, then pop it out, put it in a vise and saw the extra piece off.
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
(This post was edited by rsobhian on Oct 20, 2007, 9:18 AM)
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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Cruzer Bug
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 11:10 AM
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Re: [rsobhian] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Mine's a bit different...it is actually designed like a muffler, in 3 parts: an outer 2-part shell, solid, not perforated, and an inner cylinder, with holes in it. This is a 2005 Turbo.
Before I remove this thing, what is its' purpose and what is the benefit of removing it?
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Top Down better than Bottoms Up
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Posts: 77 | From: Destin, FL
| Registered: Mar 25, 2007, 11:51 AM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 11:28 AM
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Re: [Cruzer Bug] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Not sure about the turbo set up then, and whether or not there is more to it.
In the normally aspirated models, the piece is there to help reduce the intake noise especially under Wide Open Throttle (WOT) conditions. When I removed mine, the additional sound is there but hardly noticeable. You get better airflow by removing it, which in turn results in better throttle response.
I used a drop-in K&N filter and removed this piece and sawed off the lower inlet piece as previously described. All together, there is enough improvement in the throttle response to reduce the need to push the engine very hard to get sufficient acceleration. As a result, average MPG (mostly city) has gone up about one MPG.
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
(This post was edited by rsobhian on Oct 20, 2007, 11:30 AM)
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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mikemcl
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 12:46 PM
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Re: [Cruzer Bug] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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I removed it from my 2005 turbo. It is a bit of s snorkel which actuall does make the sound a bit different as it restricts air from entering the box. Simply put your hand in reach a little to the left and wiggle the darn thing out of there. Don't be afraind to yank er out. Then get a K&N filter to replace the stock one. Drop it in...you will have a GRUFFFF sound and more airflow in the box. Some do a further modification by slicing the lil intruding tube on the right of the box...but I am not into doing any slicing.
I took my doughnut out...real easy, more air...K&N filter it, go for it.
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2005 Touring Edition Convertible
Turbo 2.4L LITE
Automatic, cool vanilla, faux Street Edition badging, K&N drop in filter, modded airbox, mini-chrome side flames, chrome gas cap cover, customized rear mud flaps, flying siberian husky fur when top dropped.
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Posts: 801 | From: NJ
| Registered: Jun 29, 2005, 6:48 PM
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Cruzer Bug
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 1:35 PM
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Re: [mikemcl] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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If the sound is a bit too "gruff" for my taste, can it be reinstalled? Is there any need to break one of those "irreversible" retaining tabs off to remove it?
It really is difficult to understand why this thing restricts the air flow, since there are no obstructions in it, it is exactly the same diameter as the opening and the hose, and it has a smooth inner surface, that is, unless it increases the air flow turbulence inside the box.
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Top Down better than Bottoms Up
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Posts: 77 | From: Destin, FL
| Registered: Mar 25, 2007, 11:51 AM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 3:07 PM
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Re: [Cruzer Bug] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Quote:
If the sound is a bit too "gruff" for my taste, can it be reinstalled? Is there any need to break one of those "irreversible" retaining tabs off to remove it?
Again, I'm not sure about the turbo setup you have described, but the NA ones can easily be removed and reinstalled. You don't have to break anything. It just snaps into place. Quote:
It really is difficult to understand why this thing restricts the air flow, since there are no obstructions in it, it is exactly the same diameter as the opening and the hose, and it has a smooth inner surface, that is, unless it increases the air flow turbulence inside the box.
Yes, it is increasing the turbulence in the box. With that thing extending itself to the middle of the box, all the air that has passed through the parts of the air filter that are past the opening of this piece (behind the opening) now have to work its way back to the front of the piece to get into it.
So half the filtered air has a clear shot at the opening while the other half has to work its way to the front. The two air masses moving in opposite direction are going to bump into each other and create turbulence.
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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Cruzer Bug
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 3:17 PM
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Re: [rsobhian] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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That makes sense. Thanks, people!
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Top Down better than Bottoms Up
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Posts: 77 | From: Destin, FL
| Registered: Mar 25, 2007, 11:51 AM
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garpike
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 3:18 PM
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Re: [rsobhian] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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I popped mine out awhile ago as well.......be carefull doing so if you want to reinstall it later though, I snapped off one of the clips. I don't plan on putting mine back in so no worries for me!
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** NUMBERS 6:24-26 **
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Posts: 234 | From: Cincinnati, Ohio
| Registered: Aug 22, 2007, 2:20 PM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 5:41 PM
Post #10 of 25
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Re: [Cruzer Bug] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Anytime. 
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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silvereagle
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 5:49 PM
Post #11 of 25
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Re: [mikemcl] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Quote:
I removed it from my 2005 turbo. It is a bit of s snorkel which actuall does make the sound a bit different as it restricts air from entering the box. Simply put your hand in reach a little to the left and wiggle the darn thing out of there. Don't be afraind to yank er out. Then get a K&N filter to replace the stock one. Drop it in...you will have a GRUFFFF sound and more airflow in the box. Some do a further modification by slicing the lil intruding tube on the right of the box...but I am not into doing any slicing.
I took my doughnut out...real easy, more air...K&N filter it, go for it.
After you remove the air filter ,just turn the white piece counter clock wise . it will come out easily. Then throw it as far away as you can. It was made originally to keep the wife happy so they wouldn't hear the sound of the engine. It's a girly thing.
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big jim
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Posts: 960 | From: New Castle ,Del, USA
| Registered: Aug 6, 2002, 12:00 AM
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mikemcl
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Oct 20, 2007, 5:55 PM
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Re: [silvereagle] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Yeah, by "wiggle" I meant counter-clockwise. Exactly a truly girly item. I guess GRUFF wasn't right more of a Snarllllllllllllll when you accelerate.
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2005 Touring Edition Convertible
Turbo 2.4L LITE
Automatic, cool vanilla, faux Street Edition badging, K&N drop in filter, modded airbox, mini-chrome side flames, chrome gas cap cover, customized rear mud flaps, flying siberian husky fur when top dropped.
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Posts: 801 | From: NJ
| Registered: Jun 29, 2005, 6:48 PM
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lacounty
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Oct 25, 2007, 11:42 AM
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Re: [Cruzer Bug] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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My question is, why did Chrysler put it there in the first place? They must have had a good reason. I am from the old school, if it ain't broken don't mess with it!
Charlie
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Posts: 355 | From: Chino Hills, California
| Registered: Jan 3, 2004, 12:34 PM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Oct 25, 2007, 4:22 PM
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Re: [lacounty] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Quote:
My question is, why did Chrysler put it there in the first place? They must have had a good reason. I am from the old school, if it ain't broken don't mess with it!
Charlie
Your question has already been answered in this thread (4th post).
It's there for quieter operation. In putting it there, Chrysler decided that most people would rather have a quiet engine instead of a more responsive one. It's a matter of whether or not one agrees with Chrysler's take on this.
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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lacounty
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Oct 25, 2007, 5:37 PM
Post #15 of 25
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Re: [rsobhian] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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OK, I guess I just look at it from an old guys point of view. My turbo moves along at a good clip for me.
Charlie
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Posts: 355 | From: Chino Hills, California
| Registered: Jan 3, 2004, 12:34 PM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Oct 25, 2007, 5:52 PM
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Re: [lacounty] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Oh you have the turbo.  You have no worries then mate. 
It's us commoners that haffta resort to these tricks to get any piddly little power gains we can...
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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mikemcl
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Oct 25, 2007, 6:34 PM
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Re: [rsobhian] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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I have the turbo and took it out. Other turbo owners do the same, then use the drop in K&N and shave off the tube intruding the inner air box. I liked the lil grumble I got when I did this.
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2005 Touring Edition Convertible
Turbo 2.4L LITE
Automatic, cool vanilla, faux Street Edition badging, K&N drop in filter, modded airbox, mini-chrome side flames, chrome gas cap cover, customized rear mud flaps, flying siberian husky fur when top dropped.
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Posts: 801 | From: NJ
| Registered: Jun 29, 2005, 6:48 PM
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anchorman
Cruiser Fan
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Nov 4, 2007, 4:27 PM
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Re: [mikemcl] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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It's amazing to see such a familiar topic on such a different car (for me). I just purchased a 2004 Touring Edition 5-speed yesterday. I did it primarily to satisfy my wife who felt I should stop driving my Porsche 968 cabriolet in the winter (as I have done for the last four years). Anyway, this thread about the air box is very similar to one that is on the 968 web site that has resulted in many owners (including me) doing air box modifications that also resulted in a better sound and a bit more performance. I'm interested in seeing what else I should do. I'm totally unfamiliar with the PT; I bought it because this past summer, I was having work done on the Porsche and rented, and enjoyed, a PT.
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Posts: 20 | From: N/A
| Registered: Nov 4, 2007, 4:14 PM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Nov 4, 2007, 6:53 PM
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Re: [anchorman] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Welcome to the club.
There's way too much info on this forum to try and capture it all in on response, but just to get you started: - plugs and wires (not OEM)
- K&N air filter
(I think the consensus is that the combination of the airbox mods and the drop-in K&N should work just fine) - Energy Suspension bushings when your control arm bushings go - DO NOT replace with OEM.
Those are the basics. After that, there are tons of mods that you could do both for performance and looks... it's all about what you want to do.
Enjoy! 
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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anchorman
Cruiser Fan
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Nov 5, 2007, 4:22 AM
Post #20 of 25
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Re: [rsobhian] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Thanks for these few suggestions. I certainly understand about "tons of mods". The Porsche is the same way - and the list of what I've done to that car is long. I've gotten a small start on the slippery slope with the PT by ordering the hood struts (I can't believe they built it with a pole) and strut tower brace. The next area is suspension - to eliminate some of the cornering body roll. After that...
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Posts: 20 | From: N/A
| Registered: Nov 4, 2007, 4:14 PM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Nov 5, 2007, 12:18 PM
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Re: [anchorman] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Kewl!! Another one with priorities on the performance side... 
Plenty of mods available for suspension... springs... struts/shocks... sway bars... poly bushings... you name it.
For handling, I'd also strongly recommend replacing the wheels - especially if you have the OEM chrome ones. They are heavy and the chrome will start to peal sooner or later and develop leaks. Get a set of light-weight wheels and you'll get much better turn-in, and braking. Also reducing the unsprung weight will help your suspension perform better. Then again, since you seem to be seasoned in the modding biz, you probably already know all this so forgive me if I'm stating the obvious.
So long as you think of the PT as a little wagon, I think you'll like its handling. Just don't compare it to the 968. It was never intended to compete in that market segment.
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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anchorman
Cruiser Fan
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Nov 5, 2007, 12:44 PM
Post #22 of 25
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Re: [rsobhian] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Thanks, Rsobhian - I certainly am not expecting to end up with a 968 clone. That said, though, there's nothing wrong with a little more here and a little less there. The car has American Racing 16" wheels - I don't know if they were part of a Chrysler-offered upgrade package or not, as I have none of the original documentation. However, they certainly look nice - and, for my personal taste, are much better than chrome. The two chrome accents on the lower door "bumps" and the chrome fuel filler door are more than enough for me. I've now removed the air filter box "gizmo" and I may have mentioned that I've ordered the strut tower brace (and the hood struts - hate that pole). Is that "cold air" kit really as good as claimed? I don't know what's next, but I have a feeling the list will grow. I'm really enjoying this little wagon.
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Posts: 20 | From: N/A
| Registered: Nov 4, 2007, 4:14 PM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Nov 5, 2007, 7:11 PM
Post #23 of 25
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Re: [anchorman] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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Quote:
...The car has American Racing 16" wheels -
...Is that "cold air" kit really as good as claimed? I don't know what's next, but I have a feeling the list will grow. I'm really enjoying this little wagon.
Sounds like they're after market wheels - whatever they are they've got to be better than the OEM chrome ones in the long run.
Actually the term "cold air" is somewhat miss used in most cases. Some just stick a conical air filter at the end of a pipe and call it "cold air." 
True cold air kits like K&N and Airaid come with some sort of a divider to isolate the air intake from the hot air in the engine bay (hence the term cold air). Most such systems, however, don't do as good of a job of isolating the intake from the hot air as the OEM airbox.
So while the "cold air" kits typically have a much less restricting filter setup, they allow more hot air and since hot air has greater volume than cold, some of that increased air flow is sacrificed.
A drop-in K&N filter fits into the OEM airbox and as such is much more insulated from hot air. It also improves the air flow all be it not as much as the conical filters. This is why, a drop-in K&N with the air box mods (gizmo removed and the tip of the lower inlet pipe extending into the airbox sawed off) will actually come pretty close to the net airflow gains realized by the "cold air" intakes without as much noise.
Speaking of the extra noise, some like the more aggressive intake noise and consider that one of the selling points of the "cold air" intakes. So it depends of what you want.
Based on my research when I was considering them, I thought the Airaid one was a good bang for the buck and the design looked like it would do a decent job of keeping the hot air out.
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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LeoCruiser
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Nov 5, 2007, 8:08 PM
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Re: [mikemcl] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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 Hi everyone,
I have been following the threads about that white cone/silencer/donut.
About a month ago I tried various trials on the cone. I drove normally and then took the cone off and then drove without the cone normally. After that I put the cone on and went for another short drive before taking the cone off and going for another short drive.
In the end, I found absolutely no difference in acceleration, power, or sound (which is already loud enough).
Maybe other PT's behave differently with this cone 
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"I rate enthusiasm even above professional skill."
-Ed Appleton
2002 Steel Blue
Classic Edition
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Posts: 292 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 3, 2007, 8:23 PM
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Cruzer Bug
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Nov 6, 2007, 5:32 PM
Post #25 of 25
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Re: [LeoCruiser] Gizmo in air filter box that should be removed...
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I haven't noticed any difference. I suspect the 5 oz. of weight reduction might have about as much effect as the reduction in air turbulence in the box.
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Top Down better than Bottoms Up
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Posts: 77 | From: Destin, FL
| Registered: Mar 25, 2007, 11:51 AM
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