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Best Air Filter for Super Bug?

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navis Learner Dubber

6 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#901402
Hi All

Having issues with performance on 72 Super Bug which has a small chrome pancake style air filter.

Mechanic recommended replacing with stock air filter for better compression and performance.

Anyone else agree with this or have input on best air filter for stock carb on super bug?

Thanks

DylanTheDubber Custom Title Time!

1,252 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·

#901414
Not sure mate but i'm having same problem and i have the chrome pancake style sports filter.

From Dylan

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#901415
Those chrome pancake filters are absolutely hopeless, strictly a visual thing.

THe oil bath ones do the best job but are a bit more restrictive than the later bug paper element ones.

DylanTheDubber Custom Title Time!

1,252 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·

#901416
I Have a paper element sport one?

From Dylan

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#901421
The oil bath filter on mine seems to work pretty well.

Yogie

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#901423
DylanTheDubber wrote:I Have a paper element sport one?

From Dylan
Stock paper element ones.
They were on 73 and later bugs

69bug Officially Full-On Dubber

300 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#901449
Will they fit an earlier bug joel?
1969 1500

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#901453
The stock paper element and housing works the best on my 74 1600 tp.
I have read that the carby requires a minimum distance above the airhorn to the top of the airfilter for correct atomisation of fuel. (35 mm?, More?)
The small aftermarket has half that.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#901469
69bug wrote:Will they fit an earlier bug joel?

Yep, all bug single carbs have the same 50mm air cleaner spigot.

The whole velocity tube thing is a bit blown out of proportion.
It does help to a degree but your not going to notice if its not there.
THe oil bath filters have one but its purely to stop the oil from splashing down the carb throat.

The stock paper element filters like I posted above have nothing and there is no noticable difference in peformance.
THe pancake filters are crap mainly because there is just not enough filter surface area with them, they don't seal well and have no provision for pre heat.

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#901501
If anyone is wanting the later filter assembly , I have a couple for sale. 👍


69bug Officially Full-On Dubber

300 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#901504
Complete witg all the preheat tubes ect ? Pm me some details 🙂
1969 1500

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#901558
Joel wrote:Those chrome pancake filters are absolutely hopeless, strictly a visual thing.

THe oil bath ones do the best job but are a bit more restrictive than the later bug paper element ones.
Hi Joel,

how can a paper air element be less restricting than an oil bath air filters??

the air just hits the oil and bounces UP & down into the carby..

I've never liked paper air filters always prefer the K&N type reuseable filters..

LEE

before


using now
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

69bug Officially Full-On Dubber

300 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#901577
im running oil bath atm, might go to the 73+ paper element
1969 1500

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#901674
68AutoBug wrote:
Joel wrote:Those chrome pancake filters are absolutely hopeless, strictly a visual thing.

THe oil bath ones do the best job but are a bit more restrictive than the later bug paper element ones.
Hi Joel,

how can a paper air element be less restricting than an oil bath air filters??

the air just hits the oil and bounces UP & down into the carby.
They would have been fine when new but after 40+ years of sludgy oil dust and dirt build up in the mesh I've seen a few badly caked up ones.
Cars that have spent their life in the country would be worse than city cars,
Alot of dirt roads around here still and many Kombi owners seemed to think it was a great idea to prop open the engine hatch so the motor just sucked in all the dust and crap of the back wheels
I've had to throw a few oil baths out they were just so badly blocked up they couldn't be cleaned out.

THe Panel filters that 73 and later bugs have are still what cars use now,
Just blow the element out every service and replace every few years all is fine and dandy.

navis Learner Dubber

6 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#903416
Nice one everyone thanks for the input, appreciate it. Have tried a crappy old oil bath filter and it made a HUGE difference to the running.

Craig do you have the later paper filter assemblies? Let me know if you do.

Now just got to sort out the rough running and backfiring when cold.....

narumi I'll do it tomorrow

138 posts · joined Aug 2011 ·

#903831
I've got sponge uni filter
sit on my custom 32 36 weber carby hat

lenny1870 Slammed & Awesome Dubber

84 posts · joined Mar 2012 ·

#925397
navis wrote:Nice one everyone thanks for the input, appreciate it. Have tried a crappy old oil bath filter and it made a HUGE difference to the running.

Craig do you have the later paper filter assemblies? Let me know if you do.

Now just got to sort out the rough running and backfiring when cold.....
So are you saying the oil bath is really good? haha im not sure whether to keep my later paper element air filter or an oil bath filter? (Joel you said the oil bath ones are stock... is that a better option?)

i have the same as this

http://www.vct2.nl/vwtech/Images/Air%20Filter%20-%20Paper/air%20filter%20paper%20beetle%20-%20in%20situ%20-%20close%20up.jpg

i dont mind the maintenance...i just want a cool running bug 🤪
Because there is no other car like a Dub 😂

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#925399
the main reason they went away form the oil bath is the paper one was cheaper to make and install.
hell if they can hold something in with 3 screws rather than 4 they will because it saves money.
ether air filter wont really affect the temp that the engine runs at. so it comes down to personal preference
“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#925402
barls wrote:the main reason they went away form the oil bath is the paper one was cheaper to make and install.
hell if they can hold something in with 3 screws rather than 4 they will because it saves money.
ether air filter wont really affect the temp that the engine runs at. so it comes down to personal preference
Hi guys
Yes, they would have saved a bit of money changing over to a plastic filter.. it would have cost a bit to keep making the oil bath filter.. I don't drive on dusty roads if I can, as I think about the dust all the time. I bought the oil bath filter I am now using but it had inside it a paper filter that fitted into the oil bath bottom.. now that was probably rare and expensive to have these days.. I thought it was the original oil bath top..lol.. never ever seen one before and probably never will... lol
it was un usable.. maybe fitted with oil still in there??

I made up an extension piece for the chromed cheap air filter
from PVC and it fitted on great... was about 75-80mm long..
but went back to the oil bath.. and preheater pipe.. etc..

cheers

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#925409
navis wrote:Nice one everyone thanks for the input, appreciate it. Have tried a crappy old oil bath filter and it made a HUGE difference to the running.

Craig do you have the later paper filter assemblies? Let me know if you do.

Now just got to sort out the rough running and backfiring when cold.....
Sorry, only just saw this................yes I have the paper filter assemblies. If anyone is after one just PM me.


bugzla Custom Title Time!

1,164 posts · joined Jun 2007 ·

#925618
i just bought a 90 deg reducer a 3 inch pipe and a pod filter because of the same problem awesome difference