Air Filter?
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Bowling Green KY.
Air Filter?
How often do you guys change your stock air filter. My 96 has 13,500 miles. Do you think is it ready for an airfilter and maybe a throttle body cleaning.
I wasnt to happy with my trip gas mileage.
I wasnt to happy with my trip gas mileage.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Given the cost of a stock paper air filter, it will be cheaper in the long run to purchase a K&N filter. You can clean this filter using the K&N Recharging kit and reinstall it. The filter is designed to flow just as much air when dirty than a paper filter does when it's new.
The K&N filter will last longer than the car.
The K&N filter will last longer than the car.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
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I believe that Corvette V-8's are suppose to run on premium gas. As far as your air filter goes, there is a school of thought that there is SUPPOSE to be dirt on the filter for it to work more efficiently. If it is not to dirty black or crappy looking, it should be fine. In other words if it looks dusty, it should be OK 
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From: Punta Gorda, FL
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If you are out of gas and have to fill up, it will cost $4 more for the premium. Just use Premium!!! Besides, gas mileage will be better and these are (originally) $40K cars, why skimp now?? I havent done a thing to my air filter in 20K miles and still get 28-30 mpg on the highway (70-80 mph average speed)
I just got a TB cleaning and it made a huge difference, but then again, I have 142K miles on mine so results may vary
I just got a TB cleaning and it made a huge difference, but then again, I have 142K miles on mine so results may vary
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
If you in an area with a lot of dust or perhaps fluff off trees, then you may have to change your air filter at 13K miles. other wise it should be fine.
I thought the old trick was to put a light bulb behind it and see how well the light passed through. If it doesn't and it's black/ dark brown... it's time to change it
I thought the old trick was to put a light bulb behind it and see how well the light passed through. If it doesn't and it's black/ dark brown... it's time to change it
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ
Originally Posted by Darth Vader
How often do you guys change your stock air filter. My 96 has 13,500 miles. Do you think is it ready for an airfilter and maybe a throttle body cleaning.
I wasnt to happy with my trip gas mileage.
I wasnt to happy with my trip gas mileage.
For the stock air filter, take it off and see if its dirty.
For the throttle body, Wrap a cotton towel around your finger spray some TB cleaner on it, stick it into the TB, rub it around and see if its dirty.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
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From: Stamping Ground KY
I must be odd or something. I change my air filter annually and my oil filter with every oil change.
Lower octane gas may affect your gas mileage, if you're really nerdy you can track you mileage vs. fuel vs. octane and see if there's a difference. If there is your engine is getting a knock count, time to upgrade fuel...
Lower octane gas may affect your gas mileage, if you're really nerdy you can track you mileage vs. fuel vs. octane and see if there's a difference. If there is your engine is getting a knock count, time to upgrade fuel...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 771
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From: Washington District of Columbia
K&N FILTER / PREMIUM GAS
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Given the cost of a stock paper air filter, it will be cheaper in the long run to purchase a K&N filter. You can clean this filter using the K&N Recharging kit and reinstall it. The filter is designed to flow just as much air when dirty than a paper filter does when it's new.
The K&N filter will last longer than the car.
The K&N filter will last longer than the car.
the CORVETTE is THE HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS CAR, IMO. I have always
used SUNOCO 94 OCTANE GAS. And you know what, you won't even see
the gas gauge move. GREAT difference in PERFORMANCE. After saying that, where can one purchase the K&N AIR FILTER without ordering on line? THANKS in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Gas mileage
I also have a 1996 A4. I have a K & N air filter/cut lid. Use 5W30 syn Mobil 1 and a K & N oil filter. Keep your fuel filter changed every 20000 miles and I use 93 octane. Gas mileage is 22 mpg and much is highway. Try this setup.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
To answer the original question; yes, it's time to change the air filter. Not because its been on there for 13K miles, but because its been on there for eight years!!!
My own '96, when I bought it, had a filter that was fairly clean ...but in checking the element, I found that the plastic housing was so warped that the element could not seal properly.
So...get in there, replace the element, and check all other components while you are at it. It may save you headaches down the road.
Unless you classify a switch to a K&N as a "mod", and feel the need to list it as such, stick with the stock, paper element. It filters much better.
By the way, the theory that a dirty filter is a better filter applies to the oiled-gauze types, not paper types. Paper types filter best and flow best when new.
Larry
My own '96, when I bought it, had a filter that was fairly clean ...but in checking the element, I found that the plastic housing was so warped that the element could not seal properly.
So...get in there, replace the element, and check all other components while you are at it. It may save you headaches down the road.
Unless you classify a switch to a K&N as a "mod", and feel the need to list it as such, stick with the stock, paper element. It filters much better.
By the way, the theory that a dirty filter is a better filter applies to the oiled-gauze types, not paper types. Paper types filter best and flow best when new.
Larry
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Both my local Shuck's (Kragen) or AutoZone carries the K&N filter and the "Recharge Kit" whick is a solvent to clean the filter and a 16oz spray can of oil to re-oli the filter.