Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Peterhead
Posts: 32
Genuine Raised Air Intake - any good?
If the LR RAI has holes in the 90 degree bend inside the wing AND has a porous hose, surely it is of no benefit?
I'm only asking as my D3 is off to the desert next year and I need to decide fairly soon whether to modify the RAI that came with it...Fraser
19th Sep 2011 9:54 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26774
I went to the desert last August, with a standard RAI, no modifications. There were other D3's on the trip with no RAI. We had a lot of dust to contend with and a sand storm too. All vehicles needed air filter cleaning or replacement during the journey, so I don't think the RAI made much difference. Probably better spend your money on spare air and fuel filters.
Where are you going to?
19th Sep 2011 10:01 pm
reggwensie
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Peterhead
Posts: 32
Gareth, The D3 came with the RAI, wasn't planning on buying one. I know from previous trips that a snorkel only prolongs the air cleaners life.
Probably just looking at a shakedown trip to Morocco next year. I want to see how the big D3 copes with the load before venturing farther afield.
..went to Morocco in '07 in a 1972 Rangie..
..Tunisia & Libya '09 same car (with snorkel this time ) much reduced cleaning
..Algeria '11 in a 300tdi Disco, no snorkel and daily cleans required, took three spares!
But the question remains, Why would Land Rover design an inneffective part? Surely it must do something??Fraser
19th Sep 2011 10:08 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
Just to follow Gareths post I was the D3 in the desert without one last year and the amount of dust in the filter box was minimal but only marginally more than with vehicles fitted with the RAI
Don't see any point in modding it tbh.... the holes do actually perform a function.21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
19th Sep 2011 10:09 pm
reggwensie
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Peterhead
Posts: 32
DG wrote:
the holes do actually perform a function.
What's that then?Fraser
19th Sep 2011 10:11 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26774
I honestly don't know. Its not a proper snorkle, and still lets dust in. It creates a a bit of drag, and after 3 years, the metal grill rusts away. I think it might be a styling accessory more than anything.
Having said that, I haven't lost an A pillar trim in ages
The main problem I had with the D3 in Morocco was it getting its fat stuck in soft sand, and a fuel problem causing the the engine to go into limp mode everytime I floored it. Cured with some decent Spanish fuel, and a filter change. All D3's needed new shock absorbers after the trip.
19th Sep 2011 10:15 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
They allow any crud or water to escape before the filter box 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
19th Sep 2011 10:18 pm
reggwensie
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Peterhead
Posts: 32
Interesting point on the dampers. The best trip I had to date was Libya with Old Man Emu springs and dampers under the Rangie. My D3 coiler has Old Man Emu springs, but no one seems to make replacement dampers. I always like to take spares too, not so handy with the D3's coil over shock arrangement and the need for a very strong spring compressor to get them off.
As for the RAI, I guess it'll be a box of air filters again, along with a daily blow out with the airline - just a pain in the bum with a D3 as the air box is screwed shut rather than the clips found on other models.
Overall, I guess all of this is leading me towards a Morocco tour to answer the many reliability/load/handling questions....the best way to find out!Fraser
19th Sep 2011 10:21 pm
reggwensie
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Peterhead
Posts: 32
DG, Thought you'd say that! Something of a paradox methinks!Fraser
19th Sep 2011 10:23 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
I didn't say it was a logical function 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
I honestly don't know. Its not a proper snorkle, and still lets dust in. It creates a a bit of drag,
Having seen the Snorkels designed for the M-Sport Freelanders and Focuses on the Safari Rally Recce's and Rallies, I would imagine that design is for reduced amount of sucked in sand at moderate to fast speeds.. ie Taking air from roof height rather than all the sand disturbed by spinning wheels and impacting the ground.
I imagine it makes sod all difference when touring around... LR4 HSE 5.0 V8 Alaska White
LR4 HSE 5.0 V8 Nara Bronze (Gone)
D4 Landmark SDV6 Black(Gone)
Velar 240 S Eiger Grey
FLTRXST
20th Sep 2011 7:16 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26774
.... or sat for 5 hours stationary, in a violent sandstorm, in the dark, outside temp in the 40's, engine running to keep the interior cool .
A spare pollen filter might be a good idea too, mine was caked in sand when it was changed.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) much reduced cleaning
stuck in soft sand, and a fuel problem causing the the engine to go into limp mode everytime I floored it. Cured with some decent Spanish fuel, and a filter change. All D3's needed new shock absorbers after the trip.
.
