SNORKELS

[JG Shields]

I know the subject of snorkels has being discussed a lot. I also acknowledge that different people prefer a different brand of snorkel. A few questions remain un-answered to me when it comes to the choice making moment.

What diffirentiates a better snorkel from a less better snorkel? Is it:

1. The material its made of?
2. Is it the number of bends in the tube? (Resistance)
3. Is it the tube diameter, suitable to transport the required volume of air in the particulat engine?
4. Is it wind noise?
5. Is it looks?
6. Is it price?

I know I miss a lot of factors. Please help!

[Dustin]

Due to my profession I have the dredded asthetics curse, so everything goes on looks firstly.

I really like the TJM Airtech snorkel on a Patrol.
It is a nice large bore snorkel for maximum air delivery, the lower body of the TJM sits high up on the fender and seems to 'hug' the fender more than other brands and I like that the ram hood is intergrated into the snorkel body.

I'm not a big fan of how Safari chose to design the bottom end of their snorkels (where it meets the fender), it looks like it was an after thought.
I also don't like the way their air ram hood sits so far forward from the windscreen, the Safari on Land Rover Defenders doesn't sit as far forward as the Patrols' , and yet I've seen how a branch snapped the top of the Safari snorkel off on a Defender (and he wasn't going fast at all).

[Kagiso II]

on this topic - Please advise: Agarob is currently a 3.0 Diesel [A VERY DEAD 3.0 DIESEL] - and he is fitted with a snorkel [Safari, nogal] - Now, if I do an engine swop to 4.8 ... wil that snorkel still function in the present position ?? Huh ? Anybody?
JG - sit daai 4.8 se luginlaat op dieselfde plek as die diesel s'n?

Agarobsnorkel.jpg (161.54 KiB) Viewed 2840 times

[JG Shields]

Ja Oom Mac. Hulle sit op dieselfde plek. Ek is egter glad nie seker van die kapasiteit nie. In my onkunde dink ek tog dat die ZD30 se kapasiteit voldoende sal wees vir die 4.8.

[Saltman]

Hi Guys

It looks as if the Safari SSHF17 (ZD30DDTand TD42-TI) from Sept 2004 onwards share the same air intake volume as the 4.8 litre petrol snorkel (SSHF18).
The part number for the inner duct is 485-124-200 for all 3 and the the hole saw diameters of 108 and 95 mm are also the same for all 3.
That's according to the Safari installation brochure!

Interesting. I would have thought that the bigger capacity petrol engine would need more air?

[Gerrit Loubser]

Remember that these snorkels are essentially not high volume items and that tooling costs are quite expensive. This would probably drive the manufacturers towards desiging for maximum commonality and they probably would then size the basic snorkel for the maximum airflow case (the 4.8), but use it on all. The bits that attach to the intake plumbing would differ, though.

[tour de frans]

Agree with you Gerrit,but I heard there are two sizes for the Patrols,not sure for other vehicle makes,but apparently you get a 3 inc and 4inc pipe size for the Patrol GU.(Safari)Maybe Dennis can help us here with the size.If that is true,I would guess the bigger one will go for a diesel turbo and not for a big normal aspirated petrol enjin.A normal aspirated diesel displace more air than a petrol,and a turbo on a diesel.....
My opinion or
A snorkel on a 4x4 look good,if it was about looks.A snorkel will look stupid on a x5 BMW. What I am trying to say,a snorkel fit a 4x4 vehicle with a little lift and some different tyres and maybe a mod on a bumper or so.Even just a longer airial on the fender or bumper will give the car a more 4x4 look than the normal four wheel drive car.Then the snorkel will fit in on the car.But to me ,so what in a nice way about the look,a snorkel have more positives than negative.
Snorkel never prove more power on a dyno,because running a enjine flat out on the dyno the snorkel became a huge restriction.A dyno can not tell you your improvement of a snorkel.
I think it is a big improvement,the moment the car is moving there are a positive pressure infront of the snorkel,never mind the airflow escaping arround the car because of the design of the car.The snorkel sit so wrong for aerodinamics the air must go into it.
The enjine breathe abient temp outside and not hot enjine compartment air.Yes there are duckting from behind the grille to make the enjine breathe fresh air on a std car,the tubing cause restriction and the tubing are hot from the enjine bay witch will carry the heat into the fresh air temprature.
A snorkel will save you on your air filter replace scedule.
A snorkel is a must on a diesel,it help to keep the egt's down.
The little the snorkel restrict you at low vehicle speed,because the enjine suck on a long pipe before the air start moving,is about the same you will lose with the hot air arround the enjine and breathing that.At knight the with out snorkel car will perform better at low vehicle speed.
The matter that the snorkel put pressure on a air flow meter and the computer will fuel the car wrong is not true.
The air filter stops that rushing air in the airbox.There are always a pulse in the intake manyfold and a enjine can only use the air it can displace.There for the flow over the airflow meter are the same.On a mapsensor car,I am not going into a mapsensor design,but it is design to work with pressure in the intake manifold,yes pressure.
I am off the mark,but I am for a snorkel on a 4x4 vehicle.
I did not mention water crossings,I do not agree with that allso but it will help with that wave over the hood and the enjine drown but the inside stay dry",wireing etc not,but fixing a problem on the outside is better than a broken or bent conrod.

Rdgs
Frans

[JG Shields]

Thanks Frans! Your explanation emphasize a lot of the snorkel advantages, in adittion to my original question of snorkel brand preference. In reading all the reaction on my question, two answers stands out when it comes to snorkel choice:

1. Intake capacity. This criteria stands out as the most important one.

2. Appeal. I think that different desings appeal to different people.

No one complained about any technical problems such as weak material, poor mountings and joints or dirt accumilation between snorkel and body components on any brand of snorkel. It goes to show a lot about our "group behaviour" when it comes to preference for popular brands.

[SRXy]

I like my Safari because it let me do this (see pic below) for a month....it's VERY important to go through the whole system though...the moegoes who installed mine did a shocking job and it wouldn't have kept out a cup of tea. I had to get to all the joints and seal them up properly. If you have a TD42 then you need to block off the dust vent at the bottom of the venturi under the bonnet. It's a small rubber nozzle hidden under the big black steel venturi on the front left of the car. It's an absolute must on any Diesel engine....I spray my engine and body with Fluid Film before I go on a trip...it's VERY hydrophobic and did a great job on our soggy trip through Zambia and Bots last year.

I don't personally like the looks of the TJM and I like that Safari Venturi Head system like Ross has on his Patrol. The Safari hasn't made any noticeable difference to wind noise, but it does increase the engine noise with the passenger window open. If you wash your car after you have a trip then the problem of having sticks/stones between the body and the snorkel is minimal. That being said I've never had that problem.

[tour de frans]

Hello SRXy
You are spot on with the snorkel that need to seal properly.I dissagree on one thing thou.That rubber grommet on the bottom of the airfilter drum,I will keep it open.That "valve"get rid off heavy particals and water.I see your snorkel face back on the picture,or it look like that,that will keep the rain out.Or a big splash off water over the hood.That rubber get rid off water that might enter the system.It also should shut if water enter the enjine compartment,and if not it has to be replaced.If water find its whay through the rubber,it is not enough to damage you enjine.
For what its worth.
Rdgs
Frans