When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I searched many threads and even Google - But, it seems hard to find much on my 2008 C6 z-51 air filter...
The manual says change every 50,000 miles??? Really?
Also, I am NOT looking for H.P. gain - But, want to know which is better - Stock GM filter or "Attack Blue" or K&N?
Since these filters are so expensive - I am leaning towards a rechargable one like "Attack Blue" or K&N... But, the shape of these filters do not match stock - And, I can't find any articles on if the rechargable designs are better, worse or same as OEM?
Thanks for your help - Just trying to keep my daily driver in "Mint Condition".
P.S. - I have 13k miles on car - But, have driven in dusty places.
The "cleanable" filters say you might get a 4 hp gain. They will never show details on how good they filter air because they are inferior to the stock filter as far as filtration of small particles goes.
What do they advertise about filtration efficiency? They say: "Meets & exceeds all ISO 5011 SAE testing." Does anyone know what that means? Consider that ISO 5011 test specs have no pass or fail criteria. The spec only defines a standard test procedure for air filters and how to report those test results in a standard format so direct comparisons can be made. There is no criteria that a filter can MEET or EXCEED. That statement alone in their advertising should give you pause. You will never see that test data. And you will never find a comparison between the stock filter and these "high flow" units because if you did you wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole.
Your stock filter is good for 50,000 miles under normal driving conditions and while restriction does increase as you put on miles, the filtering efficiency actually increases. I'd recommend you stay with GM's recommendations and your engine will appreciate it.
If you drive a lot in dusty environments I'd suggest you change the filter at 25,000 miles.
Last edited by Walt White Coupe; Sep 11, 2010 at 09:53 AM.
Stock filter is good for the C6. Others that claim increased flow usually allow increase in junk. Corvette's MAF is sensitive also to different airflow. One filter manufacturer produced dynos for his filter vs stock. Of course he didn't show you the results below 2500 rpm which is where you'll do a lot of driving in traffic.
One problem you may be having is your search criteria. Do not include Z51 unless you're looking for a part that is specific to the Z51.
That said, the original Donaldson filter provides the best filtration of any filter for your '08. However, the efficiency curve increases from new before it decreases again. Most likely the 50,000 mile replacement figure is based on an average driver in average conditions and at the approximate mileage where the efficiency curve drops below that of a new filter. Just because you've driven a few times/miles in dusty conditions doesn't kill a big portion of the filter life.
For the miles you drive your car and in the assumed protectionist mode, you'll be needing a filter sometime around 2017 or so.
I read a report on paper filters and it said that new paper filters actually filter worse then one with some miles on it. For the best filtration, you should not change your paper filter until it needs it, as new ones, installed to often will let more dirt into the engine.
I know I can't feel a so called increase of 4-5 HP in the seat of my pants, so I'll go with the better filtration. I'm running the stock filter on my Z06.
stick with the stock OEM AC delco filter and change it at the recommend intervals. it meets and exceeds the engine's filtering requirements, as well as 99.9% of owner requirements. performance air filters, like speciality oils, fancy tip spark plugs, wax, polish, and microfiber towels - 90% hype, 10% fact...
besides, have you ever cleaned a performance air filter? what a royal PITA that is - give me a disposable drop-in any day!