Air Filter. Which is best?

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue Jun 15, 2004 9:14 am

I didn't want to hijack my own "oil filter" thread so I started a new one. So, what air filters people use? I am talking about something that fits into the stock airbox/filter holder (whatever you call it). Once again I have been buying Fram (still love that orange color!).

I tend to think that from an engine reliability point of view that different brands of filters is not going be that different and generally not as much as an issue as the oil filter. But there might be some that might give you better performance and/or gas mileage. Or even bang for the buck.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Jun 15, 2004 10:00 am

Once again, I used a K&N, when it was in the stock airbox. I used to think they were the best thing since sliced bread, but I truly believe that a good clean paper element, like a Fram, is just as good. The only advantage to the K&N is less service intervals, but servicing it incorrectly (putting too much oil on it) can dirty your MAFS, and make your idle pretty funky. - AB

Steven Bremer · **Posted:** Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:51 am

Aaron Buckley wrote:

but servicing it incorrectly (putting too much oil on it) can dirty your MAFS, and make your idle pretty funky. - AB

I agree with this point, and I have a $400 repair bill to prove it.

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Tue Jun 15, 2004 12:15 pm

GM hotwires are self cleaning

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:15 pm

If you want your engine to last, do not use the cotton with oil filters. I had a Green filter in my car(similar to K&N and supposed to be better). I sent my oil off to get it analyzed and the analysis showed the Green filter was not working effectively. I had double the average amount of silicon in the oil. The extra air these filters allow is not worth the damage it may be causing to my engine. I put the stock paper filter back in.

Marcus

Patrick Wellenius · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:17 pm

ok...that's twice now in one day I've read on here about analyzing the oil. What does it tell you, where do you get it done and how much is it? Any technical details would be cool for some self edification. :idea:

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:40 pm

Patrick Wellenius wrote:

ok...that's twice now in one day I've read on here about analyzing the oil. What does it tell you, where do you get it done and how much is it? Any technical details would be cool for some self edification. :idea:

I used www.blackstone-labs.com. It costs $20. They are well known and reliable. An analysis can show how well the oil is holding up, what kind of wear metals are present, and all kinds of other crap. Check out their website. They even called me back in less than 30 minutes after I had called with a question about my analysis and their staff was at lunch. The bobtheoilguy website has more information on oil than you could ever care about.

Marcus

Patrick Wellenius · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:58 pm

sweet, thanks Marcus. I wonder if I can't just do similar analysis at work (we have a characterization technique using x-rays). Might be fun to try

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:12 am

Patrick Wellenius wrote:

sweet, thanks Marcus. I wonder if I can't just do similar analysis at work (we have a characterization technique using x-rays). Might be fun to try

You should use the :twisted:

Laser

(Dr. Evil voice) characterization technique.

Patrick Wellenius · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 2004 7:11 am

I would, but that's not my lab. I'm not sure laser excited photoluminescence is really capable of determining chemical content. Particle induced xray emission is pretty good for a qualitative estimate though, and you don't need no Dr. Evil

Frank Catena · **Joined:** Wed Aug 27, 2003 1:08 pm **Posts:** 418

Here's a link to one of the air filter reports on the Bitog (Bob Is The Oil Guy) site:

http://tinyurl.com/39er2

As you would expect, you trade off "flow" for "filtering" to some degree. Take the test with a grain of salt, but it certainly is worth considering,

The air filter Forum is here:

http://tinyurl.com/2ujlf

As Marcus says, the usual indication of poor air filtering is a rise in Silicon in your oil analysis. Since other engine issues can also cause a rise in Silicon (i.e. coolant leak) it makes sense to run a test with a paper OEM filter and then the "high flow" filter of your choice. I would expect a lot of other variables effect the silicon amounts in your oil due to air filtering including the amount of blow-by in the motor being tested so Your Silicon Content May Vary ...

Frank

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Air Filter. Which is best?

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