Custom L300 snorkel.

[delicat]

Yes, the head unit can rotate so that can address the rainy season partially. How was monsoon Kevin? This snorkel is definitely not about look, I'll try to make it look decent but I'm more concern with proper performance. As for the mounting hole I'm talking about the 3" hole to fit the pipe through the body panel. There will be mounting brackets for the actual pipe.

Just spoke to Gary who's also working on a snorkel so once he's done I'm sure he'll have good info. We talked about a commercial diesel application where an inside cab wire can open up a trap to drain the collected water... interesting.

I'm not sure if I jumped the gun starting this post. Although I have most of the parts I'm still in no rush to get it done, measure twice drill once kinda thing. I'm also considering relocating the air box and use that space for an intercoooooler. So got to research if I could come up with a filter that would either be outside the van or whatever else, just ideas right now.

As for parts this is what I have so far:
Stainless tubing, 5' long by 3", $25
Silicone 90*, $20 us or ($70 cdn!)
Snorkel head, $100
Extra air box to be modified (free, thanks Mardy!)
Welding work.

Ciao!

[Green1]

Just spoke to Gary who's also working on a snorkel so once he's done I'm sure he'll have good info. We talked about a commercial diesel application where an inside cab wire can open up a trap to drain the collected water... interesting.

one of the thoughts I always had with a snorkel, was if there was a way to simulate what mitsubishi did so well on these engines with the "gap" that lets debris fall out...
We all know that in the air filter compartment under the driver's seat there is an air intake from the front of the vehicle, and then a gap (that people often mistakenly think should have a pipe on it) and then the actual air intake, this allows any heavy particles (water, bugs, dust, whatever) fall out before reaching the actual intake and clogging up the filter.
Now my thought was if there was some way to put valves or some such on the snorkel intake in to the housing that would do the same thing, leave that same gap, BUT with a flip of a lever or something, close the gap for when you actually need the water fording ability of the snorkel...

maybe a pair of Y fittings where you can choose the path? (ie: snorkel ----<___>---- air filter) in "normal" mode the air would flow through the gap, but when you need to ford something deep you flip the valves and the air flows through a sealed pipe instead. (make sense?)

just something to think about...

[delicat]

Keep it coming!

[delicat]

Here's a very recent install done in the UK. Nice how they kept it flat against the body...
http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopi ... 235#213235

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Does anyone have an idea where I can locally get some rubber 3" elbows? I've only found silicone ones that are pretty pricey so wouldn't mine cheaping out a bit... Last time I had to import them from the states but would rather get them nearby. Thanks.

[jessef]

Home depot or a plumbing store ?

[delicat]

Just check the UK link, they give the details. Still looks better than the typical pvc round plumbing stuff...

[wilwil_uk]

hey isnt that my snorkel! flat pipe looks much better than the round drain pipe on an already boxy looking L300 which makes it look even more like a shed and a chimney

[delicat]

I figured you'd come lurking on our side of the pond!

I officially started on the snorkel yesterday by welding a 3" intake pipe onto the air filter canister facing out towards the body panel and blocked the old air intake. Took a look inside the B pillar by removing the ECU, there's only the ECU wiring harness and drain pipe for sunroof (for those with such). Not much room to work but feasible. Pictures coming soon.

[delicat]

I didn't give up on this project... just gave up on my camera!

Here's a few pictures showing how the welded 3" stainless intake pipe was relocated to aim directly at the driver's side panel with the original air intake blocked. The new 3" intake pipe will need to be cut to fit and the brackets to hold the air canister might also need to be extended to help with positioning the whole gadget. The system his air leak tight. I did it this way as I didn't like how the original pipe had so many curves, the less the better. I also decided to keep the original air canister as it's got a nice little one-way drain valve at the bottom to keep water out where it belongs.

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The actual snorkel pipe here is cut and tag welded for a nice wrap around the body. It's since been fully welded and you can't even see the welds anymore. Sorry, no pictures for this yet.

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Now it's just a matter to come up with a good way to mount the snorkel pipe against the body and make it fit.

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Cheers!

[Jsq]

Holy Hardcore Delicat...nice work. Look forward to seeing the finished install.

[Golf Cart]

Well done David

Just a word of caution. Dont leave your van unattended in the casino parking lot. Some hardcore gambler is gonna mistake it for a rolling slot machine.

[delicat]

Done!

Just finished installing my snorkel last night along with Jay and Gregg. We were done at 1am (and so lovely got woken up at 5:30am for work ).

The install went quite well. It wasn't as easy as anticipated (is it ever) but we managed to do a clean install (on the outside anyway!) and seal everything water tight.

I do loose a bit or rear view mirror action but not as much as I thought, surely not enough to bother me or make it unsafe. I did tuck it right against my body panel, that helps.

As for sound annoyance it's a non issue (I know Gary said his was howling so not sure why). I took it to hwy speed and could barely notice any difference. But when at idle or city driving it has that amazing gargling sound, oh so sweet to my ears!

Turbo boost spools faster, kicks to 15psi right away.

Pictures? Nope, much nicer to see it in person... (actually just an excuse to meet again!)

Cheers,
D.

[delicat]

Ok, seems like I almost figured out how to retrieve the pictures from my phone. Sorry for the way too large size but can't spare time to fix it right now, sory. So here we go.

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[delicat]

And the end result. I might replace the black hooks on the pipe with stainless ones or might just paint the whole thing black. Haven't figure it out yet, suggestions?

BTW, I just noticed a VERY nice side effect; my EGT dropped down by about 200 degrees, that's huge! It now sits just above 600 at hwy speed and same results going uphill, it doesn't climb nearly as high. Made me realize the Delica doesn't breath deep enough stock...

Cheers,
David

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[Meanman]

looks really good David!