What Air Filter Do Y’all Recommend
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 61
From: Atlanta Georgia
What Air Filter Do Y’all Recommend
I am considering changing from a paper filter to a reusable “permanent” filter. Does it really improve HP? Which brand do you recommend. I have seen ads for K&N and Spectre. Advice is appreciated!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 357
From: Northville, MI
An air filter cleans dirty air, it does not add HP. Today most are recommending the paper element because the oiled air filters can easily have too much oil-bad for MAF/TB--and does not filter as well. In the early days of the C5, a lot of racers went with the Blackwing filter by Donaldson because it was the best reusable filter available at that time and had a larger surface area to intake air before getting dirty. In a stock engine there are only two ways to slightly increase HP, the first is a good tune to the PCM and the other is adding cooler/ambient air instead of engine bay air. Each cylinder can hold about 43.24 cubic inches of air, warmer air is less dense and has less oxygen content. In tuning you are changing many parameters in the engine management system such as advance/how long the injectors are open/when are the injectors firing, etc. While this is an oversimplification, HTH
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Last edited by grinder11; Apr 7, 2021 at 10:10 AM.
Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Just use an AC Delco or WIX filter and you'll be good. Permanent fitlers are not recommended for the reasons stated above. Plus they are so cheap, why would you want them to be reusable? Do the free "zip tie mod" or "flip tie mod" along with a hood seal for more airflow.
I bought mine from RockAuto; they are around $8+shipping:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ir+filter,6192
I bought mine from RockAuto; they are around $8+shipping:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ir+filter,6192
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Apr 7, 2021 at 10:40 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
I bought a K&N drop in when I bought the car. I don't think the original owner or selling dealer ever changed the paper filter by the look of it. I clean the K&N once a year. C5s are bottom breathers and they pull up a lot of crap. You'll find it all in the condenser, radiator and air filter.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 61
From: Atlanta Georgia
Thanks all! This is very helpful information. I guess all of the “extra HP” advertising they put out is BS. Very thankful for this forum. It saves me from a lot of useless purchases and gives me much needed education (thanks Gordy for the detailed info). 😀
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Last edited by grinder11; Apr 9, 2021 at 10:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 61
From: Atlanta Georgia
Thanks Grinder. I actually googled your recommendation regarding the Callaway Honker CAI. I am thinking seriously about buying that. In the meantime, I will do the zip tie mod. Thanks so much! Terry
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Racer
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From: Salisbury, NC
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No one sees it when you open the hood (it's tucked away out of view), and regardless it looks perfectly decent and like it could be from the factory that way. Not to mention it's secure and it works. But if you want to spend hundreds to accomplish the same thing with an overpriced CAI, feel free.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Apr 9, 2021 at 10:04 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Likes: 4,661
I agree. I realize we don't open our hoods every few hours, or even days. But when we do, personally, I don't want anything under the hood looking like an 8th grader did a cobblejockey mod. But it's not a problem for some. I guess the phrase "your car, do with it what you will" applies......
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
I have had my car for 21 years now and my first posts were mostly about buying overpriced crap thinking my car was going to be noticeably faster.
The best and most noticeable mod I ever made was a gear change to the rear.. And that added ZERO Hp. But the car is a BLAST to drive now..
Advanced
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 55
Likes: 3
I did the zip tie mod to start and yes it helps but also leaves the filter open which if you ever pop the hood when it’s wet all the water runs directly on to your filter. I ended up ditching the whole system and put a vararam on it which I really like. These cars were severely air choked from the factory just look at the 2 tiny holes in the stock air box.. horrible.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 255
Likes: 72
From: Maryland
An air filter cleans dirty air, it does not add HP. Today most are recommending the paper element because the oiled air filters can easily have too much oil-bad for MAF/TB--and does not filter as well. In the early days of the C5, a lot of racers went with the Blackwing filter by Donaldson because it was the best reusable filter available at that time and had a larger surface area to intake air before getting dirty. In a stock engine there are only two ways to slightly increase HP, the first is a good tune to the PCM and the other is adding cooler/ambient air instead of engine bay air. Each cylinder can hold about 43.24 cubic inches of air, warmer air is less dense and has less oxygen content. In tuning you are changing many parameters in the engine management system such as advance/how long the injectors are open/when are the injectors firing, etc. While this is an oversimplification, HTH
I had a K&N on my 350z years ago and all it did was cause issues with my TB needing to be cleaned more, that extra air flow is just more holes for dirt to get through up to your TB/MAF
I do have a 'dry' AEM filter on my 92' 240sx though. No issues from what I can see so far (stock air box so not letting much in anyway) and also an older car so cleaning the TB is easier
Last edited by SkyTigress; Apr 10, 2021 at 07:59 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 61
From: Atlanta Georgia
Just use an AC Delco or WIX filter and you'll be good. Permanent fitlers are not recommended for the reasons stated above. Plus they are so cheap, why would you want them to be reusable? Do the free "zip tie mod" or "flip tie mod" along with a hood seal for more airflow.
I bought mine from RockAuto; they are around $8+shipping:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ir+filter,6192
I bought mine from RockAuto; they are around $8+shipping:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ir+filter,6192
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 389
Likes: 170
From: Rhode Island
St. Jude Donor '21
I recently changed the air filter also. Got a Wix. Mine is the same way, can see the edge. Mine is orange also. Maybe the previous filter, for both of us, was black. and you just don't notice it. Don't remember having to force it closed though.