Air filter question

[kerbyjonsonjr]

I was just wondering if the air filter is supposed to have a little bit of oil on it? I would also like to replace the air filter and was wondering if EMGO is an ok brand? I would like to get a K&N air filter but the cheapest one I can find is $40 on eBay. The EMGO is $10. I've also seen a couple OEM filters for sale are they any good? Thanks!

[kilika2]

I would only go for the kn. I don't know much about emgo but is it disposable? The kn is cleanable so forty dollars once. Plus a bottle of cleaning solution every once in a while. Which is a type of oil. However if yours has oil on it now and it's just a paper one that is not suppose to happen.

Chris.

[ragedigital]

An OEM paper filter is better at overall "filtering" dirt than a K&N. They do cost more over time, but it results in less dirt in your oil.

The K&N filter will allow more air to pass, which may mean better performance depending on your mods. The K&N uses an oil that is supposed to help trap dirt - and it does, but it also helps it clog faster than a paper filter. K&N filters require both a Filter Cleaner as well as a Filter Oil to work as expected (another $15).

The other thing to consider is that you will never get a K&N filter as clean as it was when it was new. A lot of the trapped dirt will remain trapped reducing its overall efficiency the longer it is in use.

darrin

[Crying Freeman]

I have a UNI foam filter and it also needs to be oiled. So far no complaints.

[kilika2]

An OEM paper filter is better at overall "filtering" dirt than a K&N. They do cost more over time, but it results in less dirt in your oil.

The K&N filter will allow more air to pass, which may mean better performance depending on your mods. The K&N uses an oil that is supposed to help trap dirt - and it does, but it also helps it clog faster than a paper filter. K&N filters require both a Filter Cleaner as well as a Filter Oil to work as expected (another $15).

The other thing to consider is that you will never get a K&N filter as clean as it was when it was new. A lot of the trapped dirt will remain trapped reducing its overall efficiency the longer it is in use.

darrin

Well that shot my theory to poop. Haha

Chris.

[ragedigital]

Well that shot my theory to poop. Haha

Chris.

Your comments were 100% accurate (according to K&N).

Smart Alec remarks aside - I don't know of a single "proven" case where an engine has suffered detrimental damage because they used a K&N filter. I do know that most people don't clean them as often or as well as they should, nor use the proper filter oil.

Paper filters are much easier to toss and replace.

darrin

[Murat]

Paper filters the best. The performance gain with a k&n is only there because you replace a dirty stock one with a clean new k&n. The only way to get more performance with an air filter upgrade is if it's undersized for the application. If you moderately improve the flow characteristics of an engine(by that i mean cams or displacement increase, NOT bolt-ons or exhaust), then it becomes a restriction and should be replaced with a higher capacity air filter or pod filters and not a same size drop in k&n or uni.