Mushroom VS Cone air filter
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Mushroom VS Cone air filter
Hi guys!
I have a cone air filter on my car and i've seen some N/A preparations with mushroom filters. My question is, for a N/A engine, wich one is the best?
I wold like to get feedback about power increase and also the filtration because I heard that the foam used in the mushroom filtres is not that good when it comes to filtration.
Cheers.
I have a cone air filter on my car and i've seen some N/A preparations with mushroom filters. My question is, for a N/A engine, wich one is the best?
I wold like to get feedback about power increase and also the filtration because I heard that the foam used in the mushroom filtres is not that good when it comes to filtration.
Cheers.
rotaries doesnt really gain much from upgraded filters unless yours is really dirty or like the way they look and sound 
as for filtration, unless you are going to go off roading or a dusty road, it wont really be a problem. People say the foam filters are bad, but thats probably because if there is too much dirt in the filter it will deteriorate. Foam filters are the best for filtration vs air flow you either get one or the other, depending on who makes it, they last a good while.....till your engine bogs down and your intake is missing LOL
as for filtration, unless you are going to go off roading or a dusty road, it wont really be a problem. People say the foam filters are bad, but thats probably because if there is too much dirt in the filter it will deteriorate. Foam filters are the best for filtration vs air flow you either get one or the other, depending on who makes it, they last a good while.....till your engine bogs down and your intake is missing LOL
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: London, Ontario, Canada
You're right about the foam used. It is rather poor at filtering and it has been known to break up. Even lawnmower manufacturers have moved away from foam and onto paper.
However unless you also invest the time to make a nice cold air box, you won't gain much from any filter replacement.
However unless you also invest the time to make a nice cold air box, you won't gain much from any filter replacement.
Well, I've had an HKS super-mega-awesome-badass-flow intake/filter on my turbo for 4 years and it's been good for me. However, this type has 2 foam layers with oil impregnated into the second layer. Obviously the oil/foam combination will only work for so long and you can't re-oil it. So I've had to buy the replacement filter elements a few times already. I'm sure there's a number of people that just put the filter on there and forgot about it wondering why it isn't filtering so good.
I don't have experience with the greddy/trust intake, so I'm not sure.
The bottomline is that a k&n/apexi style is probably better and more cost effective given you can clean and reuse.
Edit: It seems there's a newer filter that's 3 layers and oil-less(dry) for HKS and It turns out I bought that and had it in already, lol.
However, this type has 2 foam layers with oil impregnated into the second layer. Obviously the oil/foam combination will only work for so long and you can't re-oil it. So I've had to buy the replacement filter elements a few times already. I'm sure there's a number of people that just put the filter on there and forgot about it wondering why it isn't filtering so good.I don't have experience with the greddy/trust intake, so I'm not sure.
The bottomline is that a k&n/apexi style is probably better and more cost effective given you can clean and reuse.
Edit: It seems there's a newer filter that's 3 layers and oil-less(dry) for HKS and It turns out I bought that and had it in already, lol.
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I know that the apexi is the best choice when it comes to filtering but those are really expensive and there is no model for the S4 N/A wich means I would have to create an adaptor.
Anyway, I was really thinking about trying the foam mushroom one but I guess I'm not going to do that anymore since the feedback about the filtering of those is really bad.
Thanks for all your oppinions
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Guys, I just got these feedback from another forum ant I thought I would share it with you:
Feel free mate
Here's a couple more pics
These images really made my option clear.
Cotton filters FTW!!!
Now I just have to make a cold air box :P
Originally Posted by Rake
I doubt one would be better than the other, at least when it comes to Performance. They might look different, or use different materials, but at the end of the day they perform the same function.
Ultimately it comes down to the quality of design, workmanship, materials.. I personally wouldn't concern myself so much with the 'style' of filter. Some people still reckon stock airboxes and panel filters are just as good, if not better than Pods.
Autosalon Mag (not a plug, I found this doing my own research :P) did an article back in '07 where they did a filter shootout, testing for both flow and filtration. It's a pretty good read, check it out > http://www.australianauto.com.au/HTM...hoot%20Out.pdf ..
The 3A filter came out best, with strong performance in both tests, and they're cheap too! So I've picked up one of those to put on my car, as soon as I modify up an AFM adapter to suit.
My car currently has a HKS Mushroom style foam POD on it. Not only is the filtration .. suspect, but the foam itself is prone to breaking down. I've found they do sell replacement foam inserts, so the idea must be to change them, but nonetheless. Have a look at what I found when I took it off my car.
The filter..
What's in here..
Erk! all sorts of crap. The mesh over the AFM is almost doing a better job! Makes me wonder what's gone through the turbo and the engine :shock:
Ultimately it comes down to the quality of design, workmanship, materials.. I personally wouldn't concern myself so much with the 'style' of filter. Some people still reckon stock airboxes and panel filters are just as good, if not better than Pods.
Autosalon Mag (not a plug, I found this doing my own research :P) did an article back in '07 where they did a filter shootout, testing for both flow and filtration. It's a pretty good read, check it out > http://www.australianauto.com.au/HTM...hoot%20Out.pdf ..
The 3A filter came out best, with strong performance in both tests, and they're cheap too! So I've picked up one of those to put on my car, as soon as I modify up an AFM adapter to suit.
My car currently has a HKS Mushroom style foam POD on it. Not only is the filtration .. suspect, but the foam itself is prone to breaking down. I've found they do sell replacement foam inserts, so the idea must be to change them, but nonetheless. Have a look at what I found when I took it off my car.
The filter..
What's in here..
Erk! all sorts of crap. The mesh over the AFM is almost doing a better job! Makes me wonder what's gone through the turbo and the engine :shock:
Originally Posted by Rake
Originally Posted by ZeroStage
Rake, do you mind that I quote your post to another forum just to show the effects of the foam deterioration?
Here's a couple more pics
Cotton filters FTW!!!
Now I just have to make a cold air box :P
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i dunno wat that guy did to his filter to make it fall apart, probably washed it with thinners or something.
And I think u guys r thumb-sucking on this one. If foam filters were bad at filtering dirt then why do all offroad bikes come out with foam filters standard and all the aftermarket offroad filters are foam too. As long as u wash it properly with degreaser, then hot soapy water like u do for offroad bikes, then oil it properly it should be fine.
And I think u guys r thumb-sucking on this one. If foam filters were bad at filtering dirt then why do all offroad bikes come out with foam filters standard and all the aftermarket offroad filters are foam too. As long as u wash it properly with degreaser, then hot soapy water like u do for offroad bikes, then oil it properly it should be fine.
he states "hks mushroom style" my guess is a cheapo ebay special. at least his foam element could be fake, theres alot of fake hks filters on ebay. Always rock authentic stuff.
HKS is more of an exotic filter to run, some like it, some don't. I got one in my car as well, easy to service. Takes a second to unscrew the cover and remove the filter, and it has a venturi intake design.
Anyways, if your too scared to run a aftermarket cone or mushroom filter in the first place, then neither is for you.
Your not going to notice much difference between either cone or mushroom, both beneficial over stock airbox. Keep up the maintenance on either one and you will be good to go with no worries.
HKS is more of an exotic filter to run, some like it, some don't. I got one in my car as well, easy to service. Takes a second to unscrew the cover and remove the filter, and it has a venturi intake design.
Anyways, if your too scared to run a aftermarket cone or mushroom filter in the first place, then neither is for you.
Your not going to notice much difference between either cone or mushroom, both beneficial over stock airbox. Keep up the maintenance on either one and you will be good to go with no worries.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
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From: London, Ontario, Canada
i dunno wat that guy did to his filter to make it fall apart, probably washed it with thinners or something.
And I think u guys r thumb-sucking on this one. If foam filters were bad at filtering dirt then why do all offroad bikes come out with foam filters standard and all the aftermarket offroad filters are foam too. As long as u wash it properly with degreaser, then hot soapy water like u do for offroad bikes, then oil it properly it should be fine.
And I think u guys r thumb-sucking on this one. If foam filters were bad at filtering dirt then why do all offroad bikes come out with foam filters standard and all the aftermarket offroad filters are foam too. As long as u wash it properly with degreaser, then hot soapy water like u do for offroad bikes, then oil it properly it should be fine.
Even power equipment manufacturers have moved away from using oiled foam filters to paper elements. I don't know if you've ever repaired lawnmowers, but I spent my childhood doing so. Half the time the filter was completely eaten, or the carb was full of dirt.
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
A high-quality paper filter will have the best filtration. K&N filters have the best racing results.
As for the shape, a bellmouth inlet (similar to what you see on a mushroom filter) is in fact the most efficient subsonic inlet known to exist at this time. However, I don't think this will make a significant difference on a 150-200hp street car. Besides, most race cars have the bellmouth inlets on the throttle body rather than on the filter body, so I assume that the race car design offers better performance than the street design.
http://www.profblairandassociates.co...mouth_Sept.pdf
If you want to design a maximum-performance intake, then install individual throttle bodies and see the Mazda RX-7 Competition Preparation and Service Manual for tips on building the ducting.
http://www.nocoastmotorsports.net/Ma...tionmanual.pdf
Apexi is only the best choice when it comes to filtering if you read their infomercial that is running around the internet and you mistake it for a legitimate tech article. Meanwhile, back in reality, the best filtration is from high-quality paper filters.
The HKS foam filters will only break down like that when the jackass owner tries to make the filter last forever. The filter should be replaced every year or every 5,000 miles. They are NOT designed to be washed!
As for the shape, a bellmouth inlet (similar to what you see on a mushroom filter) is in fact the most efficient subsonic inlet known to exist at this time. However, I don't think this will make a significant difference on a 150-200hp street car. Besides, most race cars have the bellmouth inlets on the throttle body rather than on the filter body, so I assume that the race car design offers better performance than the street design.
http://www.profblairandassociates.co...mouth_Sept.pdf
If you want to design a maximum-performance intake, then install individual throttle bodies and see the Mazda RX-7 Competition Preparation and Service Manual for tips on building the ducting.
http://www.nocoastmotorsports.net/Ma...tionmanual.pdf
Apexi is only the best choice when it comes to filtering if you read their infomercial that is running around the internet and you mistake it for a legitimate tech article. Meanwhile, back in reality, the best filtration is from high-quality paper filters.
The HKS foam filters will only break down like that when the jackass owner tries to make the filter last forever. The filter should be replaced every year or every 5,000 miles. They are NOT designed to be washed!
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