Best Panel Air filter money can buy??

Gonzo0 · 15 Dec 2007 at 23:48

So im looking at replacing my panel filter on my escort and drilling the air box after deciding against an induction kit. So whats the best panel filter i can buy?

Lashout_UK · 15 Dec 2007 at 23:50

An OEM one.

dalepearson · 15 Dec 2007 at 23:50

I have always been impressed with Green Panel Air Filters.

2Thumbs · 15 Dec 2007 at 23:50

Standard.

A regularly replaced paper filter will be better for the air/fueling system than any "performace" one will. In the context of every day cars anyway.

£5 vs. £40, I know which I'd go for.

pinkaardvark · 16 Dec 2007 at 00:29

2Thumbs said:
Standard.

A regularly replaced paper filter will be better for the air/fueling system than any "performace" one will. In the context of every day cars anyway.

£5 vs. £40, I know which I'd go for.

By your same argument a regularily replaced/cleaned performance filter is better. There's a reason racing teams use performance filters, but yes if you don't clean it regularily it's pointless. Thankfully it's not a hard task and can save you ever having to buy a filter again so can actually work out cheaper in the long run.

loltim · 16 Dec 2007 at 00:34

Don't drill your airbox, it'll let hot air from the engine in.

Tom|Nbk · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:29

Tim said:
Don't drill your airbox, it'll let hot air from the engine in.

Doubtful it will affect it by a large amount, you drill the side furthest from the engine

Just don't drill it anyway It's a bit of a chavvy mod.

BigglesPiP · 16 Dec 2007 at 03:18

Lashout_UK said:
An OEM one.

Duke · 16 Dec 2007 at 09:02

K&N or Pipercross.

MrSix · 16 Dec 2007 at 10:41

Instead of just whacking in a "performance" panel filter, work on getting more fresh air in to your airbox.

I have a length of aluminium ducting running from my lower bumper vent up to the airbox where I'm running a standard panel filter. The air that enters the airbox is cold (low to the ground) and high pressure (because it's 'forced' up the ducting) and on a rolling road I developed 8bhp over stock with that induction coupled with an exhaust with no baffles.

The "induction kit" cost me £12 in total and somebody with a similar set up on a MK4 Golf GTI measured the airflow and it was actually greater than with a K&N Typhoon kit fitted - an induction kit worth £150.

spaz · 16 Dec 2007 at 10:58

I've got an ITG panel filter in my car, certainly makes the car rev a bit cleaner, whether it gives any power or not I doubt it!

Hawk Tuah · 16 Dec 2007 at 12:40

I've got a K&N and have a drilled airbox.

Mine sucks quite a lot of air in though.

loltim · 16 Dec 2007 at 12:46

spaz said:
I've got an ITG panel filter in my car, certainly makes the car rev a bit cleaner, whether it gives any power or not I doubt it!

It basically filters less than the OEM one, letting more air through and making it sound louder.

2Thumbs · 16 Dec 2007 at 13:50

pinkaardvark said:
By your same argument a regularily replaced/cleaned performance filter is better. There's a reason racing teams use performance filters, but yes if you don't clean it regularily it's pointless. Thankfully it's not a hard task and can save you ever having to buy a filter again so can actually work out cheaper in the long run.

I'd rather pay £5 every 3k than £40. and I'm sure many others would agree.

Remember I said "in the context of every day cars", racing cars are completly different on my opinion.

ste_bla · 16 Dec 2007 at 14:04

2Thumbs said:
I'd rather pay £5 every 3k than £40. and I'm sure many others would agree.

Remember I said "in the context of every day cars", racing cars are completly different on my opinion.

Who changes their air filter every 3k? :confused:

loltim · 16 Dec 2007 at 14:06

Won't do any harm for a fiver, and it'll filter better than a £40 Lifetime K&N.

2Thumbs · 16 Dec 2007 at 14:12

ste_bla said:
Who changes their air filter every 3k?

Me.

I change the oil and filter every 3k or so, why not the air filter.

Tom|Nbk · 16 Dec 2007 at 14:27

Anyone got a comparison of a paper filter and K+N and the filtering results.

Teknobry · 16 Dec 2007 at 14:29

Standard air filter is definately the best bet. Ignore the bull**** claims made by K&N and the like.

NO SWEARING

milgo · 16 Dec 2007 at 15:26

I can't remember the figures, but i read up about performance ones vs factory ones and the amount of dirt particles they let in is considerably more. I have fitted big induction kits to a couple of my cars but only because i have already played around with them and the std air box was restrictive. Both times they were shielded and put right into the fesh air.