Air filters - best type?

RobDon · Mar 26, 2011

OK, after using a Quikshift steel mesh cone filter and finding it VERY free-flowing but hearing that it can let dirt into the engine, I switched to a K&N cone, only to find it alot more restrictive.

So what's the best to use - steel mesh, cotton gauze or foam?

EDIT - Found this: http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/filters_test/2/

RobDon · Mar 26, 2011

3 filters I'm most interested in and are used by people including tuners on here are the Pipercross C0187 (BDM use these), Jetex FR-08001 (Badger 5) and the K&N RF-1027 (the one I'm currently using).

Jetex FR-08001 (cotton gauze):

Pipercross C0187 (foam layers):

K&N RF-1027 (cotton gauze):

Quikshift Cone D (steel mesh):

I know the steel mesh has huge airflow but also poor filtration, so I'm counting that out.

If anyone has any other filters they recommend then please post them up here! I know Green Cotton is another one out there.

Damoegan · Mar 26, 2011

I found Green Cotton filters to be very good at both filtration and free flowing, Rob

RobDon · Mar 26, 2011

Any particular cone filter? On their list the K4.80 sounds much the same as the others listed above.

Green Cotton K4.80 (cotton gauze):

BTW - all the filters listed above are all rate from 380bhp and upwards, and all around £50.

Damoegan · Mar 26, 2011

Yea, thats the one I was thinking of for you, Rob.

RobDon · Mar 26, 2011

Might give it a go, thanks for the info!

Here's pics of the Pipercross C0187 as used by Backdraft on their big turbo kits, I believe they use them dry, no oil:

Damoegan · Mar 26, 2011

BDM also use that filter on there 2.0TFSI intake, too.

Damoegan · Mar 26, 2011

Rob, you got a link to where to get the Pipercross filter from?

RobDon · Mar 26, 2011

Here: http://www.thepipercrossshop.co.uk/competition_rubberneck.asp

C0187 is the filter BDM use.

Damoegan · Mar 26, 2011

RobDon · Mar 27, 2011

The big question is - does foam or cotton gauze flow the best while still offering excellent filtration?

RobDon · Mar 27, 2011

As well as the Pipercross, another filter worth consideration is the ITG Maxogen JC60-80.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m35b51s3496p63338&rs=gb

ITG have a pretty good page on performance and dust filtration, sounds like a good filter to me, 3 layers of differing densities of foam.

http://www.itgairfilters.com/content2.asp?section=trifoam

So have Pipercross: http://www.pipercross.net/competition/technical.asp

Foam filters have 3 layers of filtration where cotton gauze only has one, so they should offer better filtration plus less chance of becoming clogged with dirt compared to cotton gauze which stops dirt on the surface of the filter.

RobDon · Mar 27, 2011

Last filter I would consider is the RAMAIR, who claim to outperform Pipercross and K&N by 40% in MIRA tests!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAMAIR-ALUMIN...CarParts_SM&hash=item5adf961563#ht_1292wt_905

gezmeister · Mar 27, 2011

I've had Green cotton filters on a few of my cars, and found them to be the best. Although Ramair's claim is a big one, might be worth a shot

s700 mcv · Mar 27, 2011

ITG are dogs dangles on both renault and some st's and rs's Im actually suprised no one else uses it mate

RobDon · Mar 27, 2011

I think I'm going to try either the ITG or the Pipercross C0187, BDM recommend the Pipercross and they use it on all their big turbo cars, so I may well go for that one - tried and tested etc..

harty190486 · Mar 27, 2011

Rob i used the pipercross dry foam filter the same as bdm on my Lcr, flowed really well and gave a really nice spool noise, heres the logs stage 1 cc map really good constant airflow and 1.2 bar boost at red on a k04 so free flowing, and this was without the 3" tip everybody is using these days so even more airflow was to be had

i tried this after using a jetex and found these to flow roughly the same the only diffrence being the pipercross is huge easly as big as a adults head

RobDon · Mar 27, 2011

Did you oil it before using it or fit it straight out the box?

harty190486 · Mar 27, 2011

RobDon said:
Did you oil it before using it or fit it straight out the box?

It was a straight fit out of the box no oil at all needed. Was a cracking filter just before i sold the LCR i sold the filter to my mate with a cupra and saw 5gs gain over his existing open cone.

RobDon · Mar 28, 2011

OK, after reading up on filters, the feedback here and asking Alex at Backdraft, I have gone for the Pipercross C0187 filter. 3 layers of filtration, high flow (more than cotton gauze), almost dry. Should have it within a couple of days. Once I've got it I'll compare it back-to-back with the K&N, I'm sure it will flow more.

The Pipercross C0187 is £52.34 including VAT and delivery. It's rated to 380bhp, 200mm long x 200mm wide with an 80mm neck.

Air filters - best type?

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