Are all air filters equal?

Stayfree maxi pad.

 

Worse

 

Well poop... I was just heading out to buy me a K&N. Thought i was really doing something good there. Oh well, ill just stop by the Taco stand and pick up an OEM.

 

Yeah man.... steer away from K&N. I've had them in the past but I honestly don't think they help in any way and in some cases (if you use too much oil) can be worse.

 

Is there a way to check to see what particles/dust are making it through the filter and into the intake box?

Something like some double sided tape that will grab a little dust? Do this with a few filters for a trial.

Just curious. I've heard horror stories about K&N on ATVs and Bikes allowing dust in dusty conditions through, but have also heard that they're fine for street applications. With that, I bought my truck new and want to keep it for several hundred thousand miles, which even on a clean paved road, can have a good amount of dust.

 

I would like to hear more please.

 

Sure clean your maf.....and do some comparative Blackstone oil analysis's with different air filters in similar conditions.

Or just grab some fine media, weigh it out, dump on front of air filters, shake them the same, weigh media that came through each and compare results

Stick with stock OE style.

I use Wix...bought a case for $83 shipped. http://www.discountfleetsupply.com/wix46888.html

 

This is where I am leaning.
Thanks

 

Also consider the ability to swap a new one in instantly. I keep a spare in my toolbox and added a window to my intake so if she ever gets dirty or wet in the middle of nowhere I'm all good.

K&N requires washing, drying, and oiling (AKA: wasteful down time)




Poop K&N vs Wix OE style



Height comparison

 

X2

 

I just learned something about Air Filters. What a great site.

 

Great idea with the window.

 

I have an AFE and have had it for 7.5 years/66k miles. I clean it yearly.

I've also owned K&N Filters on various vehicles without any issues for long term - again, I'd clean them yearly. My 96 tacoma 3.4L had a K&N in it with the deckplate mod for 5 years and 50k miles without any issues.

I think, all too often... that people aren't cleaning them often enough. With K&N filters - not cleaning them enough & over oiling.

 

Sorry to sound stupid here, how do you clean the AFE? Just vac is or run it under water?
Thanks

 

Wix by the case would be my first choice...however, I did get a box of filters from Rock Auto the other week, air filter for the taco and the WRX plus a WRX cabin filter, all for under $25 shipped, pronto brand.

Mine tend to collect bits of grass, trees and leaves vs black dirt.

Howard

 

I have my instructions: 1. Tap clean 85% clean. 2. Vacuum clean 96% clean. 3. Wash and clean 100% clean. Run filter under water from inside out. Ok to completely submerge in mixture of warm water and mild household detergent, rinse clean and allow to dry completely. Reinstall, obviously do not oil.

 

Thanks.

 

If you're cleaning them once a year... you don't go offroad in dusty conditions much and I would be doubtful you would ever have any issues with any filter.

The dirty a** K&N in my pictures was only on for 2 months Max and I have a snorkel so I suck up less heavy dust. If I went a year with any brand filter my truck would of never made it past 1 year old.

 

I still like the Donaldson PowerCore filters for the Volant Airbox. The filter is massive and doesn't have to be replaced for a very long time. It has a incredible amount of surface area without slowing the air down. Volant has ran plenty of tests where they pulled the filter every couple of thousand miles. They saw no air flow restriction with the Donaldson after 100k miles.

It's a tried tested and true filter that I prefer over the AFe setup, but to each his own. I would personally never trust an oiled filter in front of my $8000k worth of engine and supercharger.

 

of the brands listed on Rock Auto, which one would everyone use?