What about washable air filters?

[Ken Bowers]

My auto parts store wants over $300 for a water washable air filter. And it uses a new canister that must be installed.

Anyone have ideas? Is it worth the money? The dealer says you get 15 more horsepower too.

Orange, 2003 H2

[codered]

Not worth it. I bought the whole k&N intake system for just over 300 bucks with some discounts from auto anything.com. The filter will last forever as well and is washable. get about 10 to 11hp more. It sounds really good! wasn't worried about the horsepower though just the clean sounding engine more than anything.

[jsbihn]

Ken,
Here is my take on it (and I know how you love hearing my take on it )

The power increase is minimal. Yeah 10 hp at best. Most intake systems that I have read about usually dont do much if anything for the H2 (some say they take away power). BUT remember this is for the H2 - other vehicles are different. So dont do it for the possible increase in hp because it isnt worth it. 300 bucks for 10 hp is kinda silly. Personally, I will be making my own intake, so really the only thing that will cost the most money will be the filter and usually those you can get from 40-100 bucks depending the make and size of the washable filter you get.

Ok, with all that being said, dont do the upgrade for the sake of the power - do it because it allows the engine to breathe better. Do it because the washable filter is usually charged with an oil and that helps keep crap out of your engine better (the stock paper type filters let in alot of junk). Do it because one OEM-type replacement filter is at leat 100 bucks and so if you think cost effectively... for the price of three filters you have better filtration and a life long filter.

Do I think it is worth it... yes. Would I pay that money? No.
(But thats also because I have been building performance cars for decades and know how to put together my own air intake for far less then 300 bucks).

Hope this helped

[Easy Ed]

Thought I read that the oiled filters will mess with the MAF sensor and throw a code ?

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...7116&highlight


Ed

[jsbihn]

If the oil is getting on the MAF then someone is way over oiling them. The oil is a topical catching agent and should be going through the fabric of the filter no matter how much vacuum is being pulled.

I have used K&N "charged" type filters in all my performance cars without any issues.
In fact my 600+ hp S/C'ed Vette is running two and my 600 hp S/C'ed M3 Has one... No issues. (and the Vette's LS engine setup is very similar to the LQ setup in our rigs)

Given I have to also say that these are not a set and forget type of setup, just like an oil change for the engine, every so often you want to pull that filter wash it and re-oil it. I think 2-3 sprays of oil should be enough for a large filter.

[LoJac963]

^great points!

I also agree if the MAF if having issues there is too much oil on the filter. Although I usually oil the living hell out of my K&N's then use shop towels to suck up the excess and even I have never had MAF issues.

I went with the Volant intake simply because I am constantly checking my filters here in AZ with all the damn dust in the air. The stock air box was a PITA to get the lid on and off so I paid all that money simply for convenience.

Also I added a pre-filter to my Volant oiled filter so absolutely nothing gets through. I love this setup, this was the first non K&N I have ever used. Every vehicle I have owned has or had a K&N either stock replacement or full intake.

Here's my Volant on the 2:

[jsbihn]

LJ, what do you mean "pre-filter"?
So are you saying you have a filter..... then your volant filter?
If so could you show use a picture?
It would be interesting to see

[codered]

Originally Posted by jsbihn

LJ, what do you mean "pre-filter"?
So are you saying you have a filter..... then your volant filter?
If so could you show use a picture?
It would be interesting to see

Looks like that is it in the above picture. K&N make them also, in different colors. It's a breathable wrap to put over your cone filter. A lot of guys use them that race and have there filter exposed to the elements to keep dirt, sand, etc out of the filter.

[jsbihn]

Yup thanks,
Didnt see a picture (work computer does show any images), but now that I am on my laptop :-)

I always knew them as screens or sleeves

[jmudler]

Ken,

I saw a K&N unit on ebay for $160 the other day. Not mine etc etc. I will be upgrading when my paper filter needs replacing.

[LoJac963]

Yeah that is my only gripe with the oiled filters. Living in AZ with dust, dirt, debris, leaves, and other garbage in the air from all the wind that crap gets caught between the pleats.

I always used a small paintbrush to get the stuff out but some always stays. When I saw Volant had a pre-filter I grabbed it when I bought my intake. The pre-filter alone keeps out quite a bit of fine dirt before it even gets to the actual filter.

[Easy Ed]

Meant post to be a heads up of possible problems that others have gone through when first trying the oiled filters

I ran K&N filters in my Harley Davidson Hyper Charger and in my 1994 Dodge Ram 4X4 and did not have any problems

Wanted the OP to be aware of the repercussions of not following manufacturers instructions

Myself, I stuck with stock filter in my H2 for the 106,000 miles

Ed

P.S. One more post on the K&N http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...64&postcount=5

Originally Posted by Easy Ed

Thought I read that the oiled filters will mess with the MAF sensor and throw a code ?

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...7116&highlight


Ed

[jsbihn]

Originally Posted by Easy Ed

Myself, I stuck with stock filter in my H2 for the 106,000 miles

Personally I think you should have stuck with your H2 another 106,000 miles too

[Easy Ed]

Originally Posted by jsbihn

Personally I think you should have stuck with your H2 another 106,000 miles too