Engine air filter replacement
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,723
Likes: 237
From: marietta, GA
Engine air filter replacement
I have a 2021 HTC with 4200 miles and 39% remaining on the engine air filter. The filter life may likely be determined by time and miles. I'm thinking the filter should, under normal driving conditions, last about 30,000+ miles before changing. At this rate, I will probably need to replace it at around 6000 miles. The 2020 M/Y did not have an indicator but the owner's manual suggests replacing it at 30k. Has anyone replaced their filter with low mileage?
Popular Reply
Jan 28, 2024, 07:33 AM
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
The claim of 5 more horsepower is probably bogus since dynamometers are not that accurate (5/450 = ~ 1%). And it's a given fact that the stock air filter provides better filtration of small particles than all of the "high performance" air filters out there. Keep it stock.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 956
Likes: 401
From: South Central Pennsylvania
I replaced mine with an Attack Blue air filter on my 2023 C8 at my own discretion and not because the life of my original filter was running low. I did it because the Attack Blue filter was dyno tested to provided a 5 to 6hp gain.
According to the C8 manual: (Page 247)
According to the C8 manual: (Page 247)
Engine Air Filter Life System
If equipped, this feature provides the engine
air filter’s remaining life and best timing for
a change. The timing to change an engine
air filter depends on driving and
If equipped, this feature provides the engine
air filter’s remaining life and best timing for
a change. The timing to change an engine
air filter depends on driving and
environmental conditions.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
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Just curious, have you done a launch control 0-60 before and after you installed the Attack Blue? I wonder if it might make a small difference, however small. Also, if you did the 0-60 run, do you have a Z51 or not? Thanks.
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A change at 6K miles does seem rather soon unless you live and drive in a really dusty environment. Might be worth having things checked.
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
The claim of 5 more horsepower is probably bogus since dynamometers are not that accurate (5/450 = ~ 1%). And it's a given fact that the stock air filter provides better filtration of small particles than all of the "high performance" air filters out there. Keep it stock.
Last edited by Walt White Coupe; Jan 28, 2024 at 05:59 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Fulshear, TX
The claim of 5 more horsepower is probably bogus since dynamometers are not that accurate (5/450 = 0.01%). And it's a given fact that the stock air filter
provides better filtration of small particles than all of the "high performance" air filters out there. Keep it stock.
provides better filtration of small particles than all of the "high performance" air filters out there. Keep it stock.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2023
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Livin the Life
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Simi Valley, CA
2024 C8 of the Year Winner - Modified
I’m coming on 3 years in my 21 Coupe and current at 10,350 miles. The air filter life monitor is at 25% which is right at the 4 year replacement interval. In two weeks I’ll be doing the DCT fluid/filter replacement (track fill) and will have the Attack Blue installed while they are there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
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From: Southwest Florida
Your air filter life is surprisingly low given model year and mileage. I have 7030 miles air filter life @ 54%. Build Date: April 2022.
BTW, Attack Blue air filter is a complete waste $$$$ it marginally increases HP unless you track your car where any increase in hp is wanted. Also a less restrictive air filter means LESS FILTRATION anyone who says otherwise simply bought into the Attack Blue hype and marketing. Attack Blue’s marketing slogan is, “More Air More Power More Filtration”. Somehow they figured out how to defy mechanical engineering.
BTW, Attack Blue air filter is a complete waste $$$$ it marginally increases HP unless you track your car where any increase in hp is wanted. Also a less restrictive air filter means LESS FILTRATION anyone who says otherwise simply bought into the Attack Blue hype and marketing. Attack Blue’s marketing slogan is, “More Air More Power More Filtration”. Somehow they figured out how to defy mechanical engineering.
Last edited by Maxie2U; Jan 29, 2024 at 02:38 PM.
Race Director
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II have 22K on my 2021, and it's also at about 35% left. Sounds like time is a bigger factor than mileage.
For a low mileage car, I'd pull the filter out and inspect it. If it's not really dirty, I'd put it back in and reset the monitor.
For a low mileage car, I'd pull the filter out and inspect it. If it's not really dirty, I'd put it back in and reset the monitor.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,266
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Does anyone want to guess as to why the C8 requires a air filter element change at 4 years regardless of mileage. AFAIK there us no component of the air filter that just evaporates over time? Maybe the glue? Maybe the element? My other vehicles have no air filter expiry date. My guess: GM wants to sell air filters.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,802
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From: NE South Carolina
I have a 2021 HTC with 4200 miles and 39% remaining on the engine air filter. The filter life may likely be determined by time and miles. I'm thinking the filter should, under normal driving conditions, last about 30,000+ miles before changing. At this rate, I will probably need to replace it at around 6000 miles. The 2020 M/Y did not have an indicator but the owner's manual suggests replacing it at 30k. Has anyone replaced their filter with low mileage?
It's a lot of work to replace, beit with OEM or other simple filter. This is a detailed 16 page with pics How To: http://netwelding.com/C8_Air_Intake.pdf
As with all my ~69 How To PDF I cover what most how to video's don't. What not to do or watch for. Good example of several in the PDF is being very careful when removing the 3 large crews on the bottom cover. Your handing over the rear, trunk removed and can't see those bolts. IF you don't use two hands (as I recommend) and only fingers to turn the last threads and hold the bolt it may fall. It will be sitting on the aero panels and lots of jacking and effort to remove the ~30 bolts holding to get it out!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 956
Likes: 401
From: South Central Pennsylvania
Your air filter life is surprisingly low given model year and mileage. I have 7030 miles air filter life @ 68%. Model year 2022.
BTW, Attack Blue air filter is a complete waste $$$$ it marginally increases HP unless you track your car where any increase in hp is wanted. Also a less restrictive air filter means LESS FILTRATION anyone who says otherwise simply bought into the Attack Blue hype and marketing. Attack Blue’s marketing slogan is, “More Air More Power More Filtration”. Somehow they figured out how to defy mechanical engineering.
BTW, Attack Blue air filter is a complete waste $$$$ it marginally increases HP unless you track your car where any increase in hp is wanted. Also a less restrictive air filter means LESS FILTRATION anyone who says otherwise simply bought into the Attack Blue hype and marketing. Attack Blue’s marketing slogan is, “More Air More Power More Filtration”. Somehow they figured out how to defy mechanical engineering.
Marketing hype? Maybe.
What does that really amount to in performance?
We are talking about a 1.21% gain in rwhp. What does that relate to times in the 1/4 mile? Maybe reducing the time by 0.1357. Or taking a 11.2 sec. 1/4 mile time to 11.06 seconds. 0-60 from 3.0sec to 2.96 sec.
https://www.attackbluefilters.com/20...za_p_2159.html
Here is a link to the Air Filter Shootout on a dyno showing where 6hp gain over the GM OEM filter:
https://youtu.be/HsV8g0t3bII?feature=shared
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,669
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From: Wickenburg, Az
Replacing the air filter is easy so if in doubt do so. As to the blue filter if it moves more air, for more HP, it also allows less filtration and more particulate matter. That is simply physics and the laws of physics are pretty much what they are.
This has been discussed ad nauseum elsewhere...if a supposed 5 hp. is worth more grit in your intake/cylinders etc. and you are good with that fine.
Experimental Study of Filtration Materials Used in the Car Air Intake - PMC (nih.gov)
This has been discussed ad nauseum elsewhere...if a supposed 5 hp. is worth more grit in your intake/cylinders etc. and you are good with that fine.
Experimental Study of Filtration Materials Used in the Car Air Intake - PMC (nih.gov)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,747
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From: Simi Valley, CA
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Does anyone want to guess as to why the C8 requires a air filter element change at 4 years regardless of mileage. AFAIK there us no component of the air filter that just evaporates over time? Maybe the glue? Maybe the element? My other vehicles have no air filter expiry date. My guess: GM wants to sell air filters.