In preperation for the new intake manifold and TB, I figured I'd upgrade my air filter system. But trying to find a good cold air induction system to fit the 2.2 with the TB at the front is quite hard. I figured the BMC and Pipercross Viper wouldnt work so well because you have to route the pipe back on itself to get to the TB, and the £200 price tag for a bit of plastic is a bit of a rip off in my eyes :roll:

So I went for the dbilas flowmaster system 8) when you weigh up what you get for the money I think its a bargin and very well made! Proper cast alluminium air box and a cast scoop thats just huge, twice the size of the vecy C pipe, and complete with a K&N panel filter. You can see they put some time and effort into these unlike youre generic aftermarket stuff.

The scoop and the airbox inlet are 80mm diameter with the airbox outlet being 70mm, quite nicely matched to the 68mm TB diameter, and more than big enough for the standard 58mm TB.

I had to buy a length of 70mm aluminium pipe and a 70mm silicone bend to get the best setup as it dosent conect too well to the standard pipe, but thats no big deal, you might aswell upgrade the lot whilst your at it.

You can see the airflow path is nice and smooth and the lack of edges shoud prevent lots of eddies forming, so I recon a few gains can be expected.

I also fitted an oil catch tank in the space left by the old air box, this should stop all the breather oil gunking up the new TB and intake when they're fitted. The location helps keep the breather pipe quite short and tidy. Ive got a tiny K&N style filter to put on that yet but I need some bits from work to fit it nicley.

The Only problem I've had Is that the silicone bend is very close to the bonnet, and when you spank it, the engine rocks on its mounts and touches. I've ordered a powerflex engine mount bush to cure it as I'm told these virtually eliminate any movement, but if that dosent sort it ill just squish the aluminium pipe slightly to make it more of an oval.

I've not actually drove it more than a mile yet and that was in traffic, so I cant coment on any improvment, but I'm off to Sarahs tonight so ill let you know if it feels any better. TBH I dont expect to feel much, but I will know its not the weak point in the system once all the upgrades are completed. I've got the piper cams already fitted but have the 2.4l Cobalt Ion intake manifold and 68mm TB in the post from america, hence this little mod.