I discovered yesterday to my dismay I've got one of these as my air filter... I haven't looked at it before because the shop I've had a few things done said they blew it out and it should be good for a while longer. It's not a pod type filter, it's just a drop in foam replacement panel thing, still the original intake setup. Now as far as I'm aware these things dust the engine up and are more likely to break chunks off into the inlet. Anybody know whether I'll suffer any power loss when I go back to the standard paper one? any opinions welcome...

Charlie

 

probably not, with how chocked the stock airbox is I doubt the filters much of a bottle-neck.

 

Why not go to a cone style? All positive and no negative that I can think of unless you're trying to control boost.

 

I have never seen any proof of the supposed disintegration of the HKS foam filter, and I doubt that this really happens during the service life of the filter or they would have been taken off the market due to the ensuing lawsuits. Much like everything else on your car, it will probably disintegrate over time if not replaced.

Note that HKS states that their foam filters cannot be re-oiled like the K&N filters, and should be replaced like a paper filter. Going back to a paper filter will probably cost you less than 3 bhp. If the paper filters are as expensive there as in the US, then I recommend getting a K&N filter (drop-in or cone) which will slightly increase power over the paper element, but lasts 10 years / 1,000,000 miles.

Disadvantages of the cone filter:
1) Labor involved in the conversion.
2) Possible damage to AFM by those who don't know what they are doing. (Yes, it happens).
3) Adapter plate required for S4 cars.
4) Additional filter required if air pump is retained.
5) Increased noise.
6) Detracts from stock look and reduces resale value.
7) Unless more extensive modifications are made, it does not ingest cold air from a high-pressure source like the factory intake.

And to be fair...

Advantages of the cone filter:
1) More power potential for modified engines.
2) Easier to replace once conversion is made.
3) Universal K&N cones are generally cheaper than the K&N drop-in filter.

 

Man can you find the negative, lol. I agree with the last 3 maybe as reasons not to go to a cone style, that is if its a good reason to the person buying it. The other ones should not be reasons not to do it.

 

That list could be re-worded as "Advantages of the Drop-In Filter" to make it more positive, LOL.

Everybody is different, and they will view the advantages and disadvantages differently. I just wanted to put the information on the table for consideration.

 

you could just go buy a regular filter and try it, the things are like under 10 bucks...

 

Do you know how k&n's filtration compares to a quality paper element though mr aviator? Until I knew properly I wouldn't really be interested...

Charlie

 

The K&N filters average 97-99% efficiency when tested on the SAE J726 standard.
http://www.knfilters.com/

If you have any concerns, then just use the paper filter. Simple enough.

 

yeah, they average that on 'course test dust' for the first usage. what about fine test dust, and what about subsequent cleanings of the filter... might shoot off an email to k&n and see if I can get a decent response.

Charlie