Thread: L322 Snorkel/Raised Air Intake.

I would have preferred non sequential too but I want the electronic shocks and the 8-speed gbox too.

Originally Posted by Graeme

I would have preferred non sequential too but I want the electronic shocks and the 8-speed gbox too.

I like the idea of an 8 speed. However, unique part numbers of left and right auto adjustment shocks puts me off, esp after Greg Milner's experience.

I upgraded to a D4 from a D2 to get away from compromises with steel springs but now want to get away from fixed-valving shock compromises.

I would look at carrying a single non-CVD spare rear shock if embarking on a severe trip like Greg's.

Graeme, are you sure that the variable valving will make a significant difference for your type of driving? Won't the electronic shocks still be a compromise with the valving determined by LR, which may or may not be what you want, or are they user adjustable within a broad range?

I can't guarantee that LR has set its CVD algorithms to provide what I'm looking for but CVDs are used in top of the line luxury vehicles to provide a better ride than conventional shocks. I can't be sure of the reason why a 2010 RRS glided past my then new D4 that was thumping its way along a rough section of the free-way heading north from Melbourne but at the time I wasn't aware that CVDs were an option on the RRS. I've been the full circle with my D4's shocks but even the currently-fitted more sedate 2012 updated versions still don't provide the ride to allow my wife with her back problem to travel comfortably.

If necessary I will build my own controller to provide a softer, albeit probably with a less refined ride. However from all reports, both written and verbal, the ride is superb perhaps only marred by the standard low profile tyres if fitted with 20" rims, for which there are alternate solutions including 18" rims if sufficiently determined. That the L322 suspension has more travel than the D3/D4 suspension means that there is greater flexibility in raising the suspension if that helps. After-all, Llams plugs straight into these vehicles and custom calibrations are easily accommodated.

Anyway the D4 has done 150K so a good time to wind the clock back and upgrade to the next level.

Originally Posted by Graeme

I've just learnt that the 4.4 TDV8 has a primary turbo on the RHS and a secondary on the LHS. For slower, low power off-road use where the majority of air would be via the RHS air-cleaner for the primary turbo a snorkel on the RHS only might be a worthwhile option to reduce dust intake.

I know with Off road vans, the dust ingress issue happens at speed, not at slow speeds. Cruising at speed on a dusty dirt road is when the filter is more likely to get covered IMO ... I am not sure that a snorkel would actually get lest dust than the normal intake in that scenario ?? I know the claims are they get lest dust, but I do wonder if such claims are valid. Once snorkels had a cyclonic dust isolator on the top of the snorkel. Such devices would work very well in preventing dust getting to the filter. But they don't seem very popular these days in 200 / 100 / Prado / Discos etc.

I fitted a snorkel to my D4 after experiencing dirty filters after 10K kms with my normal use which includes gravel roads but not generally following other vehicles on dusty roads. The air intake above and behind the front wheel is in the same approximate position as the L322 so I suspect the L322 will also get filters dirty quickly. However as the secondary turbo on my 3.0 D4 doesn't get much use, I suspect the 4.4's will get even less use hence the benefit from just a RH snorkel. In the UK the secondary's filter is usually quite clean even though the primary's gets quite dirty. I wont be in a rush to fit a snorkel though.

I have a self-cleaning extractor hat on the D4 from the V8 Toyo for outback travel. The induction noise is too excessive to warrant fitment for normal use.

Off topic I know (snorkels to shocks) - Graeme do you know if you can actually get non-CVD spare shocks for the L322? If so, where and how much, any idea? And do you know if they are side-specific like the LR ones?