2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

WTF? $50 for an air filter???

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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 06:25 PM
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Angry WTF? $50 for an air filter???

Hey, is this right? $53 (CAD) some odd bucks for a FRAM one time use air filter... If this is right.. hmm.... ....this is gonna be one painful car to own...

Oh, and another note... Is it worth it to buy a Fail-safe thermostat? (fails only in the open position...) It's like $20 bucks more... I think I'm gonna buy it, I just need some feedback... $20 is a lot less than a rebuilt engine...
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 07:05 PM
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I wish I was driving!
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Buy a generic K&N cone filter for the same price, and it is re-usable, and buy a mazda thermostat only. The Canadian tire ones you are looking at suck.
$49.99 Cdn is the normal price for a stock paper panel filter.
Provided, of course, this is going into a Rex and not your 82 Honda accord
Sean Cathcart
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 07:08 PM
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I just picked up a K&N drop in for $100CDN, don't waste your money on paper filters.
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 07:10 PM
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Why not just pick up a normal K&N cone filter? It is cheaper AND it outflows both of the panel filters listed above.
Sean
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 07:26 PM
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I think the fail safe type thermostat is a great idea. Certain cars come stock with them and it saved me a rebuilt motor almost $4000.
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 07:27 PM
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Heres a link for a really cheap generic K&N filter for $18 US.

http://store.autotoys.com/cgi-bin/wf...HIPERAIRFILTER

Then I think Ted's place has adaptors
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 07:57 PM
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Originally posted by Maphead
I just picked up a K&N drop in for $100CDN, don't waste your money on paper filters.
Sorry, but paper filters get a bad rep from modifiers they don’t deserve. What you shouldn’t waste your money on is an aftermarket replacement filter for the standard box. I’ve seen it proven several times that the filter pad itself causes only a very small part of the restriction in a standard airbox. It’s the box itself, specifically the entry and exit, where the restriction lies. Some airboxes can be mildly modified to flow very well but unfortunately the FC RX-7 airbox is not one of these due to the fact it’s fed by a very skinny duct on the top of the box. boxes that are bottom fed are much better for modifying because there’s usually more room underneath.
If you don’t believe me, have a read of this article on modifying intake systems. This car showed significant, measurable results even though the standard airbox, complete with OEM paper filter, is still in place.
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 12:56 AM
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$10-$15 for a paper drop-in
$50 for a K&N drop-in

$30-$250 depending on how creative or which cone intake kit you get.
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 01:11 AM
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Sorry. When I said not to waste money on paper filters I didn't mean that they don't perform well, I simply meant that you'll save money with a reusable filter.
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 01:15 AM
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I spent $150 for my Weapon R cold air intake. $50 is cheap.
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 01:33 AM
  #12  
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Originally posted by Maphead
Sorry. When I said not to waste money on paper filters I didn't mean that they don't perform well, I simply meant that you'll save money with a reusable filter.
True, but at the prices MaxRX7 just quoted, it'd take 3-5 years to get you money back assuming you change the filter annually. Mazda actually says to change it every 30 months or 30,000 miles (whichever comes first). That makes the pay-back time at least 8 years!
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 08:24 AM
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Ok, so is there any easy way to fit a generic K&N cone filter to the stock intake... (what I'm asking I think is this: Is this a Home depot mod? )
If I were to take off the stock airbox and get one of those 3" (i think) flexible connecter things (the rubber ones, for sewage pipe..) will it fit on?

Thanks for the help guys!
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 09:26 AM
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K&N filter=50
RB filter=21
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 10:43 AM
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89+ cars, just buy a cone witha 2.5ID

Honestly I dont feel the difference between using a 2.5x4 cone vs the stock airbox cut open with a stock type K&N filter. I didnt dyno it, but to me it is not big of a deal. Your choice
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 07:32 PM
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tmak26b: a 2.5 ID cone will fit onto the intake piping? or does it need a rubber adaptor thingy? I'm not really going for huge power gains here... just using a generic size K&N reusable filter will save me some $$..
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 08:06 PM
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Re: WTF? $50 for an air filter???

Originally posted by autocrash
Hey, is this right? $53 (CAD) some odd bucks for a FRAM one time use air filter... If this is right.. hmm.... ....this is gonna be one painful car to own...
hmm spark plugs $12.xx x4 is $50, thermostat is $30, fog light bulbs are $30, hmm what else??

other cars are like $3 for these parts
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 08:13 PM
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I saw this setup in an RX-7 performance book:

K&N cone filter(come on 1,000,000 mile warranty)

Cold air box around the cone with the stock flat air intake(the thing that goes to the stock box) getting cold air to the box.

I haven't got around to making the box yet but have the K&N cone. But this setup does make sense to me atleast.
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 08:24 PM
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so... how do u hook the cone filter to the intake??
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 09:28 PM
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buy a cone with a 2.5ID if you have a 89+ it will fit
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 09:44 PM
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Not to be a ***** to our American buds, but your prices aren't helping this Cdn funds-type question.

other cars are like $3 for these parts
Other shitty cars, sure. But I've had to listen to Mustang owners (among others) bitch about forking out comparable $ for the same parts.

True, but at the prices MaxRX7 just quoted, it'd take 3-5 years to get you money back assuming you change the filter annually. Mazda actually says to change it every 30 months or 30,000 miles (whichever comes first). That makes the pay-back time at least 8 years!
I was doing a lot of city, rural (lotsa dust) and expressway driving before I bought my drop-in K&N and I was replacing the air filter about every 6-8 months. $50 Cdn plus tax for a normal replacement (from Partsource, which is owned by CTC, btw - you might notice that their shelves are loaded with Motomaster garbage,) $100 Cdn plus tax for my K&N. The K&N paid for itself (in my book) in just over a year. And the savings have piled on since then...

Autocrash - FYI: The filter I bought came with the chems I needed to clean it. I've cleaned the filter twice and still have plenty of the cleaner and re-oiler left...

ttyl,
Amur_
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Old Apr 24, 2002 | 10:05 PM
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ok... Thanks guys! I think I'm gonna look into buying the 2.5" ID K&N Cone Filter, and then build a cold air box...
Thanks again for your help...
...oh, and I test the thermostat tomorrow... wish me luck (fingers crossed)
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