High flow air filters

gstroe

Junior Member
Messages
47
Hi guys, I'm sure this has been beaten to death before my time on this forum but please bear with me: what is the consensus on this forum about using an oiled air filter versus the factory paper filter on our cars? some years ago I've read on the Audi forum I was part of that micro oil particles from such filters tend to cling to the thin wire in the MAF sensor and render it unreliable. Solution was to rub the wire with alcohol and hope you won't break it. I've read a post about cleaning the MAF sensor on the Maserati and it seems to be different from the wire on the Audi. But first things first, does it indeed make a difference from what you have experienced?
 

Oishi

Member
Messages
825
I have only used the stock paper elements on my 4200, so can't speak to the oil type. I have read that the stock filter is better at keeping dirt out of the engine, I live in a sandy/dusty environment.
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,940
As with everything it depends on the quality, poorly made filters regardless of type will either reduce flow on reduce filtration or both. From my experience oiled mesh filters generally allow more airflow when clean but you need to keep cleaning them otherwise they become blocked and reduce flow which is fine on cars that are constantly being fettled (e.g. race cars) but can be a pain on road cars. There may be a slight improvement in performance but when you already have close to 400BHP is an extra 10 going to be noticeable? Where they do make a difference is sound, you certainly get a better induction sound but once again if your car is well isolated from noise you don't hear that either.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
The issues seem to be known to you.
Access to the air filter isnt so convenient. Something to think about if you do decide to go with an oiled filter because you will want to keep it clean...
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,630
My view.

They don't really give any real world performance gains but are cheaper than replacing the over priced OEM paper elements at every service.

The only issues I have heard of is over oiling of the element which ends up contaminating the MAF and causing issues.

Do I oil mine....no, not to date and I have never had an issue. They are simply cleaned at service individuals.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
Yeah..That sounds horrible tbh
Clean them by flushing the oil. Then add fresh oil.
Id certainly not suggest you use a filtration medium that is designed to be used wet, without oil myself.
I even went with a Pre Charger. Two stage filtration...
 

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Oneball

Member
Messages
11,117
What Tim said. If you’re using an oiled filter without oil it won’t work properly. Unfiltered air kills engines. This is what running with no filters will do to your engine, think this did 3 single venue rallies.

66256
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,270
Hmm... I think most people overdo the oil which is how it ends up on the MAF also stick to the proprietary stuff!
 

Davidt99

Member
Messages
184
As you know air filters are designed to filter particles out of the air reducing the risk of potential engine damage. High flow air filters will, by design, filter less air and hence increase the risk of engine damage (I'm sure you know this to). Oiled filters potentially damage MAF's and IMO do nothing to improve engine performance.
 

gstroe

Junior Member
Messages
47
Thank you all for responding. I know the potential downsides. A race engine is taken apart after every race or so, we all hope we never have to take apart our engines to rebuild them. K&N and others sell a lot of these high flow filters, have been around for 50 years, K&N annual revenue is in the hundred of millions of dollars so there is clearly a market for their products. It seems a quick and cheap way to get a few extra HP but will come at a cost. I will not pursue this avenue. Thanks again,

George, 2003 coupe 6 spds
 

Dean Kuan

New Member
Messages
23
Yeah..That sounds horrible tbh
Clean them by flushing the oil. Then add fresh oil.
Id certainly not suggest you use a filtration medium that is designed to be used wet, without oil myself.
I even went with a Pre Charger. Two stage filtration...

Hi Tim, you change your air intake? mind to share? Thanks man
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
PMd you....

edit- if yours is a turbo 3200, I personally would stick to stock...
 
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FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
My car already had a BMC when I bought it nearly 6 years ago.

I might stick a paper element in it to find out what the difference is...
 

MaserMike

Member
Messages
329
No issues with using BMC also K&Ns over the years on various motorbikes and cars, even have them now for my Oldsmobile + GC + Testarossa…. Saves quite a few £££s overtime and doing your bit for the planet with less waste (carbon offset & landfill) :)