Zero resistance air filter

For starters, by increasing the amount of air entering the intake, you can increase the output of the power unit. This is why zero resistance air filters are used in engine tuning to increase air volume without major modifications. Among ordinary motorists, this solution is better known as a filter - zero filter, zero air filter or simply zero filter.

Since such an air filter is easy to integrate, many car owners began to install zero-resistance filters on conventional cars with naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, counting on certain benefits after such tuning. At the same time, not all car owners know that the decision to install a zero filter instead of a standard air filter has both advantages and disadvantages.

In other words, you need to clearly understand what zero gives, how it affects the engine, resources, power and efficiency of the internal combustion engine, and also why this filter element is necessary in some cases, and in others it is better not to install it on the machine. Let's figure it out.

Zero resistance filter: pros and cons

Therefore, installing a zero resistance filter may seem to many an attractive and inexpensive solution to increase engine power. Let's look at the known benefits first.

• Increasing power without reducing the quality of air purification;
• Low resistance, efficient filtration;
• Filter replacement every 10-15 thousand km is not required;
• Easy to clean, the filter restores its original properties;
• The sound of the internal combustion engine is changing (more “aggressive” and “noble”);
• Increases torque at medium and low speeds.

Also note the ease of installation. It is enough to disassemble the standard housing with a conventional air filter, after which a conical filter of zero resistance, of a suitable diameter, must be placed on the mass air flow sensor (MAF) or on the pipe. Everything seems to be simple and clear. However, compared to the standard filter element, the zero filter also has disadvantages.

First of all, the main task of the engine air filter is to clean the air coming from the outside. Indeed, the filter protects against dust that can enter the engine. In turn, dust and small particles can cause stretch marks, etc.

At the same time, along with protection, the efficiency of air intake into the engine inevitably deteriorates, which affects power. Standard filters are actually thick paper, which inevitably means high resistance to airflow. Also, during the operation of the car, if the filter is clogged, the performance drops even more. The result is a reduction in the power of the internal combustion engine, since the engine does not receive enough air.

• In turn, the zero resistance filter allows you to reduce the input resistance without reducing the filtering ability. This allows you to increase the power of the engine. This type of filter consists of a special material, the air resistance is less and more air can be supplied to the engine. As is commonly believed, nulevik gives an increase in power from 3 to 5%.

And now the cons. In practice, it is simply impossible to notice the difference in power after removing the standard filter and setting it to zero, the dynamic characteristics also do not change significantly. Of course, with accurate computer measurements, the difference will be visible, but not physically noticeable.

Also, even if you completely remove the air filter, you still will not be able to achieve a tangible improvement. The reason is that the operation of the motor was initially designed for losses during the passage of air through the filter.

This means that the engine must at least be improved, changes must be made to the software “hardwired” into the computer, etc. Only in this case will minor improvements appear in the form of better throttle response and responsiveness to the gas pedal, and even then not in all cases.

Please note that zero resistance filters are more expensive, but also require special care. Since this filter is outside the housing, it is actively contaminated. It is quite obvious that such costs and difficulties may be justified in one case and unnecessary in another. Everything will depend on the type and purpose of the car.

How to clean the zero filter: maintenance of the zero resistance filter

In a word, the zero-resistance filter needs to be washed more often, and also regularly treated with a special impregnation agent. After all, if there is a zero filter, it must be regularly washed and impregnated with a special solution.

In addition, it must be processed in strict accordance with all recommendations. It is also impossible to skip filter care, since air does not enter well through a clogged zero valve, the car does not pull, there is excessive fuel consumption.

To clean and care for the zero filter, it must be removed, then coarse dirt particles are removed with a soft brush. Then the filter should be washed, shake off the water. Next, a special cleaning agent is applied to the filter element on both sides, after which the filter can be installed.

Therefore, it is optimal to clean the filter every 5-6 thousand kilometers. The filter itself is designed for 15-20 such washes, after which you will need to purchase a new zero filter.

Set or not set "zero"

If you look under the hood of a tuned car, you can almost always see a zero resistance filter. It is for this reason that it seems to many that by installing such a filter on a conventional internal combustion engine in the "standard" version, you can get an increase in power.

In fact, we have already considered above that it is possible to talk about a tangible increase only if the car is specially modified. We are talking about racing cars, special projects, etc. In this case, the “nulevik” is only an insignificant link in the chain of solutions aimed at improving the performance of internal combustion engines. At the same time, the engine resource in such machines is often relegated to the background.

When the engine was comprehensively modified, sports camshafts were installed on it, the working volume was increased, the compression ratio was increased, the intake was changed in parallel, a modified throttle assembly was installed, changes were made to the power supply system, the ECU was flashed, etc. In this case, it makes sense to put a zero filter.

• If we consider simple civilian cars, then when switching to zero-resistance filters, one should not expect an increase in power, but the resource of the unit decreases. The fact is that a motor that is clogged with dust will have a significantly shorter service life.

Please note that the nulevik will still filter the air worse than the regular filter. Especially if the machine is used in normal modes, that is, we are talking about active daily use.

In a word, the filtration quality will inevitably deteriorate, the power will not noticeably increase, but the internal combustion engine resource will decrease. It turns out that setting zero in a serial motor is not only impractical, but also risky.

Useful Tips

If we summarize the information received, then before equipping a car with an auto-zero filter, the following must be considered:

• a slight increase in power in "prepared" sports cars and absolutely imperceptible in the standard engine;
• a decrease in filtration quality increases the risk of dust and small particles entering the engine;
• the need for frequent and more expensive maintenance of the zero resistance filter;

We also add that even if it is nevertheless decided to install a zero filter, it is important to choose the right place for its installation under the hood. In other words, you need to know where to set the null value.

However, the main reason is hot air under the hood and a drop in power. It turns out that it is not enough to put a filter of zero resistance. It is equally important to separately consider where to put the zero filter, since installing it in a standard place will not give any results.

We also note that it is customary to remove nuleviki for the winter. This means that you should always be ready to go back to the place of the standard design. Finally, it is important to buy a good quality Nulevik. The fact is that there are many solutions on the market for sale.

At the same time, a high-quality original is very expensive, but it can filter the air well, that is, the risks of engine damage are reduced. In turn, you can buy an inexpensive nulevik from little-known manufacturers, but in this case the quality of filtration is questionable.

With the result that

Given the information above, it is clear that a zero-resistance filter can increase power in some cases. However, for the vast majority of ordinary "stock" cars, zero is simply not needed. The fact is that without special engine preparation, the gain from installing a zero filter will be minimal, and even then, provided it is correctly installed.

You should also replace the spark plugs, use high-quality fuel, etc. This approach will always allow you to get the “maximum” from the internal combustion engine in different modes, as well as comfortably operate the car throughout its entire service life.