THE Truth about Aftermarket AirFilters!
 

Interesting link: (a MUST read for everyone)

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=117009

Actually, i have heard this before from other reports...this report/test actually has objective data. Basically, the more air that a filter lets in, the more dirt it will let into your engine.

I am sticking with OEM airfilter...how about you?

P.S.: i will be moving this to Performance subforum in a few days.

Ah HA! I see no mention of the trueflow filter... and that video they have is fairly provocative. So I guess trueflow it is!

The TrueFlow video does not address airflow at all.....just the fact that it traps more dirt, and according to the study, the filters that trapped more dirt have more airflow restriction.

I might stick my stock filter back on and see if my gas mileage goes up.

I ran a K&N in my Bronco and although it sounded like the truck went faster, it never felt like it did. Since then I've read a bunch of test results and all things considered I've decided to stay with stock paper filers in all of my vehicles since then.

As long as you change the filter every year or so the performance hit seems to be pretty low.

I don't understand why the engineers at Toyota can't be trusted to choose an air filter that gives a good combination of dirt trapping capabilities along with enough air flow to more than satisfy the needs of the engine.
People always think that there is some big benefit and performance gain by going with an after market air filter and almost always there is not.
I'm definitely no expert and don't have the facts and figures, but have done a lot of reading up on it.
The more reading I do on the subject the more I'm convinced that the OEM filter is the best choice..............at least for me.

The biggest problem with so called Intake & exhaust performance Mods, is that they make one punch the throttle more just to hear the engine growl. This of course leads to a decrease in mileage. I have never liked K&N. However, I do believe that some of the performance Mods do work. But they will never be felt unless you are on a motorcycle, which is more sensitive to small changes. Obviously, no one Mod will add hp but if you invest in over 1000 dollars with several Mods, then you may feel something. Additional hp does not come cheap. If I were to seek more ponies, I would settle for nothing less than a Blower. This is because after making an investment, I want no doubt at all that it made a difference. Nothing offered on the market will add gas mileage

The FACT is a motor is a pump, the more air/fuel in, the more power it makes. Increased air intake and increased exhaust flow will make more power. The question is how much and how much filtration are you sacrificing. The only way to know for sure is to dyno the same day/time before and after the exhaust change and have the oil analyzed before and after the filter change. Increased exhaust flow will definitely make HP, but you want to make power across the power band not just peak at high RPM. FACT is, depending on the vehicles air box design some after-market air filters will leak, so the fit is real important. Yes, more air in does allow more dirt but these studies/tests don't tell you that the increased dirt is because of the increased volume, the percentage of dirt to volume is probably very close. There are oil lab tests that show no increase in dirt using some after-market oiled filters. Right here (on this site) in Boaz's last oil analysis there was no increase in dirt using a K&N drop-in. I have also seen several analysis that do show an increase using other types of HP intake systems. My point is these mods definitely make more power and can be safe to use, you just have to do your homework and double check with an oil analysis. I personally don't care about making more power with the use of an after-market air filter, I just want the filter to be as good or better then the OEM and it can be reused. The most promising filter on the market in my opinion is the Amsoil Ea Nanofiber filter. Time will tell if it is as good as it looks. Also the TrueFlow looks interesting.

Koz

IMOHO
 

- I figure Toyota has always had good engineering and anything stock like an airbreather is going to be close to optimum unless you really start hot-rodding the engine with cams etc.
Cold Air Intake and flow filters is a huge market. It's the first thing everyone puts on their riceburner etc.
I am not dis'ing TrueFlow.

:D

It's actually very simple. Remove the air filter and drive around the block. You will notice nothing except it is now louder. If in fact you believe you feel as if it is faster, then go ahead and spend some money.

At the risk of resurrecting a monster, I must say that I installed sold air kits (to include K&N filterchargers) on two of my previous vehicles: a supercharged Grand Prix and a VW GTI VR6. BOTH vehicles were noticeably more responsive after the mod. Yes, the sound changed (although not too much) but the performance was definitely there. I plan to install a cold air box on my 'Runner - not sure if the Truck vs. Car will make a difference, but I'm willing to see...

What year was the VW just wanted to know because I noticed no difference on my 01 with the electronic throttle. Had the car dynoed a few times the only noticeable HP gains were with my cams chip and exhaust
IMHO buying an intake will only accomplish 2 things, add that wow feeling you get when you open the hood epecially at a GTG with other enthusiasts and take a few fun ticket s out of your bank account.
You could get the same results by dropping in a K&N and drilling a few dime sized holes in the bottom of your filter housing.

Very interesting - mine was an '01 also...I may very well be mistaken. What kind of intake did you install? Mine was the Neuspeed with K&N cone filter. I never had it dynoed, and as a marketer I will be the first to admit that perception is reality. The Grand Prix GTP was a different story - I did get more low-end kick, but there were obviously other dynamics (i.e. a supercharger) at work there. I'd be interested to know what your thoughts are about the Borla or other cat-back exhausts for the T4R.

First I had The Neuspeed P flow
The I stepped up to the AEM CAI
After that came the Carbonio CAI
In the end I did a swiss cheese mod to the factory airbox with a K&N drop in.
The sound was louder with the open air intakes but like I said b4
HP gains were insignificant. maybe 3 to 4 HP
It will vary depending if you are at the wheels, crank or ecu
but only minor gains come with an open element intake.
However match the intake with a flow thru exhaust and you may see double digit gains. I got 17 with a milltek cat back and the Carbonio.
Add cams, a good chip program and you're getting somewhere.
But in the end if you're not racing the car to me you're better off leaving the car alone.
Just my .02 :)

tuner vs off-roader
 

In a street car or hot rod - yes - the K&N air filter is awesome.
Less restrictions in your air induction = better flow

For an off-road monster - OEM all the way.
The factory filter is made with the best quality intentions possible (Thumbss up to Toyota!) Any contaminents that make it through the filter can harm the motor. Consumers will then think that Toyota builds shiety engines


Which route you take is all depending on where and how you drive your costly obsession. If you never go on dirt trails, through the stream, or rock-crawling....stay away from free-flow air filters

[QUOTE]Originally posted by greasefingers
Nothing offered on the market will add gas mileage