Air Intake Filters

[Greg Roles]

Leaf filter. Mine fell out on day one too, and that was three years ago! Filter element by itself will do little other than be servicable, don't expect power but it is a simple feel good mod.

[Corey_R]

while checking my air cleaner l found a plastic vented plate under the filter does any one know what its for, it just seems to be an obstruction , lve taken it out and the car feels better. Also has anyone put a BMC or K+N filter in.

I've merged your thread with the existing thread on this topic. It was closed, but I'll reopen it for a while.

It's really a waste of money. Read back and have a look at some links.
The bottle-neck in the intake area is not the filter, it's elsewhere. So changing the filter usually does nothing... sometimes maybe it changes the sound a bit... maybe... the difference is too subtle to tell with how long it takes to turn off the engine, undo the filter cover, replace the filter, do the cover back up, turn the engine back on etc.

[bwen]

I've merged your thread with the existing thread on this topic. It was closed, but I'll reopen it for a while.

It's really a waste of money. Read back and have a look at some links.
The bottle-neck in the intake area is not the filter, it's elsewhere. So changing the filter usually does nothing... sometimes maybe it changes the sound a bit... maybe... the difference is too subtle to tell with how long it takes to turn off the engine, undo the filter cover, replace the filter, do the cover back up, turn the engine back on etc.

Agreed, gains in a forced induction car are minimal compared to a high compression naturally aspirated motor. General consensus is that the down pipe is usually the most restricted part of the car and replacing that will most defintely give you a better engine note, accellerator response and power compared to a drop in filter.

[T Go]

Hey Guys,

I was looking at possibly replacing the stock panel filter with an after market one.
Some that I have been looking at include Pipercross/VWR, K&N, BMC and ITG.
I've been reading some stuff online in other forums about possible damage to the MAF from either oil (K&N, BMC, ITG) or particles getting through the foam of the Pipercross/VWR.
I had a K&N filter on my Polo GTI, and never had any issues.
I'm not going to argue that the performance increase is tangible, as I don't really think it is. But, I would like abit more induction noise / turbo whistle.
At this point, I don't really want to shell out $500+ for a carbonio intake, and would like to keep it looking stock. So was wondering if anyone had a take on the possible damage to the MAF from these.

(should I move this query to the Tuning section?)

Thanks Guys.

[boshala]

luckily I read this thread prior to placing any orders on air filters... looks like a saving of $250 for me.

[markwid]

Really depends on what is the objective.

I put in K&N filter because I wanted to free up the flow a little bit without going the whole hog with after-market intake. I would probably go there eventually but for now it is a stop-gap.

[Greg Roles]

I have been running dry, but have gone back to a K&N oiled as I was getting fine dust through an Apexi Dry filter all the JDM guys rave about. I think you;d have to be a bit too liberal with the oil to destroy your MAF, but they are only $70 odd off ebay anyway.....