Early Banks filter box alternative?

Thomas87 · May 29, 2023

Hello everyone, I'm curious to know if anyone had done something in the way of replacing the old banks turbo air filter box with something else? Other than just slapping a cone filter on.
It looks nice, but it covers the whole top of the engine, is rather cumbersome to remove to work on things, and worst of all, you have to unscrew 8 dang bolts just to check the air filter! Not to mention fighting the lid back on just right without crushing the air filter... Of which k&n is the only option as it's custom made for this kit. While it allows more air flow, id rather a filter that stops more dust.

Thomas87 · May 29, 2023

I like the look of the old ats filter housing, not as big and opens easily with latches. I wonder if there would be a way to make it work with the banks setup. If I could get ahold of one I would try to find a way to adapt it

Old Goat · May 29, 2023

I have one of those Banks Air Boxe`s also on the 85.
I like you searched and searched for a paper filter that would replace the K&N one, a Banks only Filter.
Bought one from Summit Racing, but came from banks. Think it was $51.
Still new in the box.

The one I took out was really bent and scrunched, no way it could have filtered out anything.

It`s sort of a feel good filter. I think I had to buy one of the elbo hoses, think to the rear.

Waiting to see what others have done.

Goat

IDIBRONCO · May 29, 2023

I can't remember for sure, but I think that the intake hat is part of the air box on that one. Just something to be aware of.

Thomas87 · May 29, 2023

Yup, it's a banks only part. I ordered mine directly from banks, about $50.

And yes @IDIBRONCO , you are partly correct. There are two different versions of the big box that I know of, one the intake hat is a part of it and the other they are two separate pieces. Mine is two separate pieces.

Old Goat · May 30, 2023

Here is a thread from a while back on the same problem

Banks old style replacement air filter

Somewhere on this site I read that a certain year Mustang shared its filter with the old style banks airbox. I am in need of a replacement as I don't really trust the K&N that is in it now, and am unable to find that thread again. Anyone know?

www.oilburners.net

Then this one.

No Filter for an old Banks turbo

I have an older banks turbo and I can't find a filter for it anywhere. The PO stuffed a paper filter in there and crushed it in. Any Ideas for replacement? I've looked everywhere and no one makes anything that fits. I'm looking to go to a clamp on style. What type of solutions to this do you...

www.oilburners.net

Goat

Slicknik · May 30, 2023

For a 7.3 not 6.9 but same concept, for the first gen banks turbo

1. deleted the washer fluid container to fit the filter and made a mount/ heat shield
2. Hypermax intake
3. Generic 3 inch tubing and boots with intake clamps
4. Add a plated hole with threads to mount the breather on the intake tube
5. Done

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Thomas87 · May 30, 2023

@Slicknik now that's clean looking. Could you send some better pictures of how you made a mount for the cdr valve? I would hate to delete the washer/coolant reservoir tho. I don't have a fuse box there like it looks like you have. Maybe if I relocated my vacuum reservoir there would be enough room for the filter and coolant reservoir

Slicknik · May 30, 2023

@Thomas87 I just used the shape off the banks box and hole pattern for the cdr and then added a 1/2 long x 1” diameter stand off that I had welded to the tube to space out the plate.

When I get a chance I’ll take some more photos for details

Tristan · May 30, 2023

Cut it down and use an external filter. Below is an example, not my picture. When I did it on my 87 I put both batteries on the passenger side to make room for the filter.

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Thomas87 · May 30, 2023

Luckily on mine the pressure chamber/intake hat is separate from the air cleaner box. Not moulded together like some are.

IDIBRONCO · May 30, 2023

Thomas87 said:
I would hate to delete the washer/coolant reservoir tho.

You can buy cheap, universal overflow tanks and washer reservoirs online. Then you can mount them in a different place.

Thomas87 · May 31, 2023

Well I borrowed a 6637 air filter from work to see how I could fit it. And I'm pretty sure if I move my vacuum reservoir to the passenger side I can rearrange the coolant tank and fit the filter aswell.

However I did have a thought, if I keep the filter enclosed in a box, I would be able to pipe cooler air in from outside the engine bay. Either using the factory intake scoop or making some sort of cold/ram air intake. Maybe even a snorkel, that would certainly give the truck a more rugged look aswell as pulling in cleaner air from up high.

For that reason I'm starting to lean to trying to find a way to make the early rectangular ats filter box work... anyone have one laying around they'd be willing to sell? Haha

gnathv · May 31, 2023

I had the early box like in your picture on my 93 with the 088 box. When I ran it hard my filter minder would set to restriction. I had to cut another round hole in the air box to get enough air flow to keep the filter minder from showing air restriction. Also that box uses a special k&n filter (it crosses over to an early model Porsche) they were hard to find at a reasonable price at the time. I’d look for other alternatives.

Thomas87 · May 31, 2023

From what I could find it's a 1977 Porsche 911. If that's correct both Baldwin and K&N make it and they are available through Napa and on Amazon. The k&n is kinda high but the Baldwin is about $35.
But the restriction thing is odd, but I wouldn't be against getting one to experiment with and possibly modify if air restriction became an issue

Early Banks filter box alternative?

Thomas87

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Old Goat

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Banks old style replacement air filter

No Filter for an old Banks turbo

Slicknik

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Tristan

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