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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 38
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 38 |
Its time for an air filter replacement, and I'm wondering what everyone here would recommend as a good air filter for someone (me) who drives alot of gravel/dirt roads? I've thought of K&M, but was wanting other users input.
1999 Contour SE
2.0L ATX 104k miles
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Joined: Oct 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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i been using fram and stp
1999 Ford Contour SE Zetec with 137k miles.
AIM Name: ContourAlf
Yahoo IM: Contour_Freak
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,442
Addicted CEG\'er
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Addicted CEG\'er
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Originally posted by JellYNutZ:
I've thought of K&M, but was wanting other users input.
Re-usable, clean it reinstall it, filters better, better milage....Just do it, wheres my swoosh.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,143
Addicted CEG\'er
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Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,143 |
Originally posted by JellYNutZ:
Its time for an air filter replacement, and I'm wondering what everyone here would recommend as a good air filter for someone (me) who drives alot of gravel/dirt roads? I've thought of K&M, but was wanting other users input.
Great filter all around, a good drop in filter and if you want to get a little...Frisky, you can always try and custom build a nice short ram air intake with a Cone K&N filter. Might gain a few ponies and better gas mileage in the process. As well as that beautiful deep throaty intake sound you get from a cone air filter 
98 Corolla LE 1.8L DOHC 1ZZFE
TEIN H.Tech Springs
Tokico HP series Struts
Short ram air intake
Tsudo Axel Back Exhaust
... if a jelly fish stung me.. would you pee on the wound?
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Joined: Oct 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
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Originally posted by Bk4293L:
Originally posted by JellYNutZ:
I've thought of K&M, but was wanting other users input.
Re-usable, clean it reinstall it, filters better, better milage....Just do it, wheres my swoosh.
make sure its completely dried first before you put the filter back in
1999 Ford Contour SE Zetec with 137k miles.
AIM Name: ContourAlf
Yahoo IM: Contour_Freak
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 47
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 47 |
The K&N filters don't filter that well. They pass many small particles that would be trapped in a "paper" filter. Another problem is that the K&N filter, being a "cloth" design, needs to be oiled to work properly. The oil leaves a film in the intake system that accumulates upon the MAF sensor elements, thus contaminating the MAF quickly.
K&N filters are good where large volumes of air flow is required, but they are not good at filtering smaller particles. I've been running them on several of my personal vehicles and have noticed several things;
* engine oil gets darker quicker
* MAF gets contaminated and requires frequent cleaning
* performance is not perceptibly better than with paper filter
* MPG hss not changed to any noticable extent
Many people swear by the K&N filters, but I swear and cuss at them.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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I agree. For a dusty road, go combination steel/foam/paper filter element. SO WHAT IF EFFICIENCY IS DOWN 40%? j/k 
J.T.
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 294ci V8. Custom CAI, headers on the way...
1997 Mercury Mystique Zetec ATX
Deceased February 2006
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Posts: 4,714
Scourge of the Master Debaters
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Scourge of the Master Debaters
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Originally posted by sysanalyst:
The K&N filters don't filter that well. They pass many small particles that would be trapped in a "paper" filter. Another problem is that the K&N filter, being a "cloth" design, needs to be oiled to work properly. The oil leaves a film in the intake system that accumulates upon the MAF sensor elements, thus contaminating the MAF quickly.
K&N filters are good where large volumes of air flow is required, but they are not good at filtering smaller particles. I've been running them on several of my personal vehicles and have noticed several things;
* engine oil gets darker quicker
* MAF gets contaminated and requires frequent cleaning
* performance is not perceptibly better than with paper filter
* MPG hss not changed to any noticable extent
Many people swear by the K&N filters, but I swear and cuss at them.
After over a year on a K&N, my Blackstone report says, "Silicon was good at 9ppm showing good air filtration. Feel free to run the next oil 4000 miles." I haven't experienced any MAF contamination whatsoever, but I also haven't had to clean and oil the filter yet. As many other CEG'ers have said, if you don't over-oil it you shouldn't have any problems.
Since I run the universal filters and not the drop-ins, one caveat that I have experienced is heatsoak. I notice it on both vehicles, but the Sport seems to be affected more; my guess is because, among other things, with over 90000 miles its way overdue for an intake manifold cleaning. Either way, a good heatshield should mitigate most of the heatsoak effect.
Beer is my Gatorade.
Hooray Beer.
'98 "Sport" Pacific Green
'98 E0 SVT Silver Frost
Pictures
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to think through air filtration. Any increase in air flow is at the expense of filtration. Better filtration comes at the cost of air restriction. It is that simple.
The K&N does not filter better than paper media. Under ideal conditions it may filter satisfactorily, and it may not. I have seen diesel engines (more than one) ruined from inadequate maintenance of a K&N, and Ford would not warranty the damage. I have also seen many cases of contaminated MAF sensors from K&N filters that were probably over oiled.
In case you can't guess, my preferrence is paper. However I change it reasonably often. Every 15,000 miles.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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I have used Motorcraft, Fram and Purolator paper air filters. Whatever you use, if you have a stock air filter housing, make sure you install it correctly. Most "quick lube" places will not install it correctly and you will end up with a housing which leaks air into the intake or the rubber edges of the filter being a sqwooshed in (and broken after a few weeks).
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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