Air Filter - Civic 1.5iLS

FireBIade · 11 Aug 2006 at 12:39

Hi,

I'm thinking to change the air filter (panel only) in my Civic 1.5iLS (D15Z6) this is the first mod to this car etc. I've been told by Halfords that really they recommend K&N as they are individually dyno'd for the car and the filter is wire mesh rather than foam and will therefore last longer, and was quoted £49.99. I'm hoping it will increase performance slightly perhaps in standing acceleration and mid range areas, and maybe make it slightly louder when the VTEC kicks in.

Anyone have experience of this setup? What differences am I likely to see over the old stock panel? Anyone recommend some good internet shops for this part?

Fire..

Scuzi · 11 Aug 2006 at 12:57

The only difference you will notice is that you don't have to change your filter at service intervals, it will only need a clean instead. That's it. If there is any performance increase at all it will be 1-2bhp at the very most which will be unnoticeable.

Performance air filters are a waste of time on most small NA engined cars. There are some exceptions but not many.

FireBIade · 11 Aug 2006 at 13:07

Scuzi said:
The only difference you will notice is that you don't have to change your filter at service intervals, it will only need a clean instead. That's it. If there is any performance increase at all it will be 1-2bhp at the very most which will be unnoticeable.

Performance air filters are a waste of time on most small NA engined cars. There are some exceptions but not many.

Doh! might as well go and get the new car i've been putting off buying for ages.

Fire..

Gaijin · 11 Aug 2006 at 15:31

FireBIade said:
Hi,

I'm thinking to change the air filter (panel only) in my Civic 1.5iLS (D15Z6) this is the first mod to this car etc. I've been told by Halfords that really they recommend K&N as they are individually dyno'd for the car and the filter is wire mesh rather than foam and will therefore last longer, and was quoted £49.99. I'm hoping it will increase performance slightly perhaps in standing acceleration and mid range areas, and maybe make it slightly louder when the VTEC kicks in.

Anyone have experience of this setup? What differences am I likely to see over the old stock panel? Anyone recommend some good internet shops for this part?

Fire..

The filter is oiled cotton mesh i believe. Unfortunately your engine is the economy VTEC engine and was designed for just that - you are unlikely to see any benefit from doing so, except from maybe a slight induction noise.

Hitmon · 11 Aug 2006 at 23:24

I bought the k&n panel filter for my ek3. Like the guys above said, makes no difference apart from the cleaning aspect. If your gonna keep the car for a few years, then why not. But dont expect any difference in performance whatsoever.

triggerthat · 11 Aug 2006 at 23:28

I'd say just keep your money. Its not worth the upgrade.

Out of interest, what cars do induction kits make a big difference to?

Matt82 · 11 Aug 2006 at 23:38

its only a 1.5 it will never be fast. any cheap non-paper filter will be fine.

when mine only had a cotton panel filter it did sound slightly deeper.

now that ive got a butchered airbox, its got a really low grumble. doesnt sound that sad at all for a 4cyl engine

Gaijin · 12 Aug 2006 at 00:04

triggerthat said:
I'd say just keep your money. Its not worth the upgrade.

Out of interest, what cars do induction kits make a big difference to?

Generally cars which require a lot of air, that is, cars with a high rev limit and/or cars with FI and/or large capacity engines *gasp*

Basically any engine with perfomance potential. Unfortunately your engine was not designed with performance in mind and thus has none of the above.

In any case its a honda and the airboxes are generally very well made on hondas and thus you have to spend a fair bit to better them and even then its difficult to get any decent HP