[nubiecanobie]

I see lot's of references to "soup bowl" removed on the air cleaner housing to get more air. Is the soup bowl the bottom part of the filter housing? What did you replace it with? Any pics of the mod? What kind of HP increase di you get?

 

[tim94f250]

If you try to remove just your air cleaner lid, you'll find that you can't because the "soup bowl" is protruding down in the center of the air filter. Remove the entire air cleaner, flip the lid over and you will see the soup bowl. There are six spotwelds holding it to the cover. If you have a set of spotweld drills, find the proper size drill and drill the spotwelds on the bowl, not the lid. If you are careful, you can drill the welds without going through the lid. Then pull the bowl off and dress the lid so there are no pieces left. If you go through the lid, you'll need to plug the holes.

There is no increase in horsepower to speak of. Some say it's worth the effort, others don't. At the very least, you'll be able to remove the lid without disturbing the base. Tim

 

[BluePSD]

what is that soupbowl for? what was it's intended purpose?

 

[jdobyns]

I believe the "soup bowl" was suppose to be a sound dampner, but is does restrict air from the air intake.

 

[nubiecanobie]

Thanks for the scoop Tim. After looking closely at the soup bowl, I decided it was worthwhile to get rid of it and went to work. I used a sharp awl and scratched a cross on center of each spot weld and used a grinder. Took about half an hour and it came off clean.

It's an exc mod. Now it's easier to take the air cleaner housing off and although I have not been able to drive it yet (very slow leak turned into a flat after I brought it into Townfair tire to have it fixed Doh!), I hope to see a little performance increase.

Oh while I had the air cleaner out, I removed the stock filter housing and bracket, both steel fuel lines, and added a Cummins filter base/ spin on filter w drain, an elec pump. I located the new filter in the space between the A/C compressor and the IP so all the glow plugs and injectors are now easily accessible and will be a breeze to work on. Changing the filter should take less than 2 minutes. The filter is a BF957D 5 microns and it's bigger than the OEM filter and only $7.50 at Fleetpride.

 

[BluePSD]

cool i'll remove it then, i didn't want to remove it before i knew what purpose it served, but now that i know it's as good as gone. thanks.

 

[OkieGringo]

Before I got my turbo, I tried using the OEM air filter housing from my old JEEP to see if it made a difference before I went cutting on the soup bowl. The only difference I noticed was LOTS MORE NOISE. I decides not to cut the SB out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gifOkieG

 

[shorthair]

just a guess but getting ride of your soup bowl is probably worth +/- 5 hp & for me 1 mpg improvment, pretty good for 5 mins work w the old air chissel.

 

[tall_green]

I couldn't tell a difference at all.I guess its because i drive like a complete maniac and i guess i dont pay much mind to stuff like that.

I did it with a cutting torch and an angle grinder and god it was messy but its all good now.

 

[nubiecanobie]

I hope you're right. My soup bowl is still intact and not mangled up. If I feel no difference in performance and fuel economy but more noise, I can always epoxy it back.

Come to think of it, the "soup bowl" does not look like one really and that is the reason I never found it on my own. It looks more like a flying saucer. If anyone want to post the pic for me, send me a pm with your email addy and I'll send you the pic of the flying saucer sitting on the grass waiting to take off.

[ QUOTE ]
just a guess but getting ride of your soup bowl is probably worth +/- 5 hp & for me 1 mpg improvment, pretty good for 5 mins work w the old air chissel.

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[HamerDown]

[ QUOTE ]
I believe the "soup bowl" was suppose to be a sound dampner...

[/ QUOTE ]
And exactly why I'm leaving mine alone /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[waterdude]

Me too, keeping my flying saucer (soup bowl) for good luck.

--Hugh

 

[nubiecanobie]

flying saucer

Well, I just drove the E350 without the flying saucer after it has taken off and I notice no difference in noise level.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

Re: flying saucer

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I just drove the E350 without the flying saucer after it has taken off and I notice no difference in noise level.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nubie, the vans are always loud!! You can't hear any intake noise over the engine noise coming through the doghouse!!

 

[tall_green]

Re: flying saucer

yayyyyyy.ALL HAIL THE MAGIC BOWL.It will bring us all good luck in life wherever we go and always be there to give advice.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

Re: flying saucer

[ QUOTE ]
yayyyyyy.ALL HAIL THE MAGIC BOWL.It will bring us all good luck in life wherever we go and always be there to give advice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Careful! I once scoffed at the Soup Bowl, and it made me ugly and unlucky with women!

*That's my story and I'm sticking to it*