Air Filter Recommendations?

[snake11eyes]

i did a quick search of prime for past threads on air filters but did not find too much info (and most of the info was pretty old so it might not cover new vendors, products, etc.).

i need to replace my air filter and wanted to get everyone's thoughts about oem vs after market brands such as UNI, K&N, AEM, etc.

do aftermarket filters make a big difference compared to the oem? can everyone comment on performance (i.e., horsepower), filtration, noise, price, etc.? thanks in advance.

 

[ediddynsx]

I have the gruppe m air filter. You're gonna get all kinds of different answers....some say stock is the best.


http://daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/index_browse_part.cfm?focus=340

 

[mickeylex]

do aftermarket filters make a big difference compared to the oem?

No, they don't really make much difference. Aftermarket is a little louder, and that's about it. I use aftermarket because it's one less item going to the landfill. Otherwise, I'd stick with OEM.

 

[snake11eyes]

No, they don't really make much difference. Aftermarket is a little louder, and that's about it. I use aftermarket because it's one less item going to the landfill. Otherwise, I'd stick with OEM.

mickeylex, i acutally wouldnt mind if the engine sounded a little throatier. does your air filter give that affect or its it just louder? btw, what brand air filter do u have?

 

[Honcho]

Stick with OEM. I had a K&N cone filter that came with the car and while it sounded cool, my car picked up some bottom-end grunt when I replaced it with the OEM airbox. Dali's comparo chart is very telling.

http://daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/shiny/more_intake.cfm

 

[mickeylex]

mickeylex, i acutally wouldnt mind if the engine sounded a little throatier. does your air filter give that affect or its it just louder? btw, what brand air filter do u have?

I have the K&N OEM size drop in replacement for the airbox. It is a little louder, but not really "throaty". In fact, since I have an aftermarket exhaust, I don't even hear the engine anymore. I'm not sure how the cone type filters sound. Probably a little more throaty.

 

[Moses]

 

[snake11eyes]

can someone give me a quick comparison between to K&N and UNI air filters that just drop into the stock airbox in terms of performance and acoustics?

also, how do these two compare to the stock air filter?

 

[scorp965]

can someone give me a quick comparison between to K&N and UNI air filters that just drop into the stock airbox in terms of performance and acoustics?

also, how do these two compare to the stock air filter?

The Unifilter will produce some marginal gains over the OEM paper filter element, it is superior to the K&N drop in filter (which has a smaller surface area than the factory paper element); if you're looking for performance, it's going to be the unifilter. Expect gains in the 3-4whp area.

There is no significant acoustic change with a drop in air filter, if you want an increase in induction noise remove the factory resonator assembly, from the driver-side quarter panel. Aftermarket scoop assemblies are a waste of money, and will cause premature wear of the air filter (especially with an oiled filter, such as the unifilter).

So, for an increase in noise with an increase in power, install a unifilter and remove the resonator. You can snag the unifilter from http://www.scienceofspeed.com

 

[snake11eyes]

So, for an increase in noise with an increase in power, install a unifilter and remove the resonator. You can snag the unifilter from http://www.scienceofspeed.com

Is removing the resonator a quick, easy job? I did a search and could not find a DYI on this. Can anyone give me instructions on how to do this, including tools needed and how long it will (should) take? Thanks in advance!

PS Are there any adverse affects from removing the resonator? What's a resonator do anyhow?

 

[ChopsJazz]

can someone give me a quick comparison between to K&N and UNI air filters that just drop into the stock airbox in terms of performance and acoustics?

also, how do these two compare to the stock air filter?

PD Cunningham uses the NSX OEM airbox on his Realtime Racing TSX race cars. I offered him my K&N drop-in filter instead of his OEM paper element and he said, "No thanks."

That should tell you something. :wink:

The Unifilter will produce some marginal gains over the OEM paper filter element, it is superior to the K&N drop in filter (which has a smaller surface area than the factory paper element); if you're looking for performance, it's going to be the unifilter. Expect gains in the 3-4whp area.

I've never seen any proof to substantiate this.

 

[scorp965]

Is removing the resonator a quick, easy job? I did a search and could not find a DYI on this. Can anyone give me instructions on how to do this, including tools needed and how long it will (should) take? Thanks in advance!

PS Are there any adverse affects from removing the resonator? What's a resonator do anyhow?

Remove the left rear wheel, remove the fender liner, then remove the plastic ducting from inside the quarter panel. This duct sits over the top of the side vent, and is held by 10mm bolts. Resonators are typically used to reduce induction noise on OEM applications, removing the assembly will make the intake noise louder.

 

[snake11eyes]

There is no significant acoustic change with a drop in air filter, if you want an increase in induction noise remove the factory resonator assembly, from the driver-side quarter panel. Aftermarket scoop assemblies are a waste of money, and will cause premature wear of the air filter (especially with an oiled filter, such as the unifilter).

I'm going to order a UNI air filter soon and was actually contemplating getting an air intake scoop as well (mostly like the one from Downforce). Before I waste my hard earned money on a scoop, can anyone else chime in on performance and acoustic differences between using an air scoop versus just merely removing the resonator?

Scorp, I don't mean to second guess you but just wanted to see what others have experienced. As always, thank you in advance for all input.

 

[ChopsJazz]

Before I waste my hard earned money on a scoop, can anyone else chime in on performance and acoustic differences between using an air scoop versus just merely removing the resonator?

There is no performance benefit from the air scoop nor from different air filter. Really, spend your performance money somewhere else.