Turbo intake: Foam or K&N style

[smp3000]

I've heard a lot of debate about what tpe of intake filter actually works better for Tubo vehicles. Some are heavily biased towards the mesh K&N style filters and then some are pro Foam- like HKS uses... What do you guys think?

 

[spoolinmp3]

yeah this is very contreversial............I know one thing the fosm does not filter as well

 

[slooper]

Here is quite an interesting study:
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/airfilter.html

Apparantly foam filters do everything better than gauze(K&N) filters other than the amount of air flow. Although, the gauze lets more air AND more dirt through, making it a better choice than the foam IF you don't mind extra dirt.

 

[slooper]

oh, and apparantly the foam filters are sturdier and filter better and longer than the gauze filters....

 

[smp3000]

hehe.. Yeah that's why I brought this whole topic up. I want to know if RM was just blowing smoke up my ass.

 

[slooper]

Yeah, it was good to see that study - I have no reason not to trust RM but it's nice to get confirmation from an outside source. What did you think of that link?

 

[spoolinmp3]

Wow interesting...............However I have read more than one place that foam filtration was not as good.........huh.

I remeber a while back a local guy here in miami doing repeated multiple tests on the dyno with differet filters and the foams came in last place...........hell I told you this was contreversial

 

[BluMp3Turbo]

So then what is the best type of filter?

 

[slooper]

read the link and decide for yourself. I am all for the foam filters because they don't break down over time like the gauze filters and they block more particles than the gauze filters.

 

[big_ben]

So then what is the best type of filter?

None!

 

[1sty]

the .125 hp increase in one compared to the other really doesn't matter.

 

[smp3000]

I have not tried foam, but from ALL the studies I have read including the one sean posted- I'd have to say that there really isn't a clear advantage either way. Not enough of one to cause much if any performance or safety gain.

Anyone that says there is, is also probably in the business....

Just my $.02 american.

 

[slooper]

yeah, it's not much to quibble over. My only real reason to go with foam versus gauze would be the longevity - gauze being a natural fiber and foam being synthetic it breaks down over time. But I wouldn't let it be the deciding factor in what CAI to purchase etc...