What's the best air filter and how to re-charge?

[Silver Ecstasy]

As the title states:

What's supposedly the best type of air filter to use? I know Cobb uses a dry cloth filter, but there are paper filter, dry, oiled. So when you clean the Cobb intake, are you supposed to recharge it with oil of some kind? What would come with the recharge kit then?

Reason I ask, I had a grand am a long time ago, with a powerstack K&N filter on the end of a CAI. I re-charged it like twice a year. I still don't know if that wasn't enough or not, because I got rid of the car a long time ago. Also, I don't know if super re-oiling it like I did ever hurt the engine or not.

Just curious before I jump the gun and order a Cobb SRI. Not interested in hurting my brand new baby!

 

[15min5k]

It is recommended that you clean your air filter at each oil change. It's a piece of cake really. What I did was buy an extra Cobb filter to use in-between cleanings. Instructions are on the cleaning kit provided by Cobb which consist of a cleaning solution and oil.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I watched a video on youtube where a guy showed how to do it on a flat K&N filter. He said you spray the dirty side with water at low pressure. I wonder if I messed up cleaning my cone filter with high pressure with a hose. So when I get the Cobb, i'll just be careful I guess.

 

[freebird_78]

Amsoil is the best. Dry filter, no "recharging" needed.

 

[SNike05]

This has been discussed to death. The best air filter is the Apexi filters. The test was done and the link is below. Besides that you have your own opinion as well.

http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/filters_test/2/

 

[justanothermp5]

how do dry filters really work though? the reason u have to oil the filter is because thats what catches the dirt and filters the air....what filters the air on dry flows?

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

This has been discussed to death. The best air filter is the Apexi filters. The test was done and the link is below. Besides that you have your own opinion as well.

http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/filters_test/2/

So the Cobb is like the K&N with it's wet cloth filter right?

 

[FrequentFlyer]

It is recommended that you clean your air filter at each oil change. It's a piece of cake really. What I did was buy an extra Cobb filter to use in-between cleanings. Instructions are on the cleaning kit provided by Cobb which consist of a cleaning solution and oil.

Depending on how often you change your oil, this may be excessive. Remember, these filters are made from cotton gouze and the more you wash them, the more likely you are going to stretch and wear out the material. I don't recommend washing it more frequently than every 6-12 months.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Maybe every other oil change?

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

K&N doesnt want you to clean/re-charge but every 10-20k miles or some crazy number unless you live on a dirt road or in the desert. I have been cleaning my Injen every 6 months and very lightly oiling it. Over oiling and not allowing it to dry completely before oiling is most of the problems experienced. Just take your time Mike and it will be ok. Getting the second one so you never feel rushed to get it done as posted above is a brilliant idea!

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Thanks Bill! I'm just kinda waiting it out right now to see what happens with this whole silly backorder situation with Cobb. Plus, i'm not sure how it's going to affect the car during winter. I wonder if it's not safe to drive with the SRI in the winter?

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

SRI's were started with the whole winter and water for CAI's concern. An SRI is the way to go for winter. I would feel 110% confindent in a COBB SRI for my car in winter and probably will be getting one and switching between my Injen and the Cobb.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Well I meant, more the fact that the cold weather will make things so brittle. Didn't want the cloth element to suffer or not filter properly, especially the oil. I used to run my Grand Am with the CAI in the winter and didn't have a problem, but I don't have the car anymore, so I don't know the problems it may have caused.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

You didnt do any damage. There is no difference between these cone filters and what comes in your car stock other than no restrictive air box. Actually, they are nicer filters like replacing the stock with a OEM K&N filter. Absolutely no difference and should not worry about it at all. I have been modding for a long time. I started in 91 with an 86 GTI. I had from mount Neuspeed CAI that I ran year round while living in Oregon for crying out loud. Never heard of hydro lock from anyone back then. Only now it seems you hear more of that stuff and that is the only thing I would ever worry about with after market intakes. The SRI is obviously never going to have hydrolock so you are safe. Have you changed your own oil yet? That engine bay is protected more than any bay I have seen to date.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I haven't changed it myself yet. I took it in for my first free oil change at 1k. I'm at 2390 miles right now. I'll probably change at 3,000.

I'm not even worried about the water. I never hydrolocked my Grand Am and I ran a CAI all year long. We had about 7 different areas in my neighborhood when it rained, it would completely flood, and I never hydrolocked my CAI. I think it takes some serious special power to do that lol.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

LOL... Yea, I have just taken it as people running directly into very large bodys of water with no care.