Intake Opinion: Ram or Cold Air?

That was my real point. Take that intercooler off once with the stocker and try to get everything on smoothly and then try with the silicon hose set and you'll see what I mean.

Again I don't see it being a real big diff. I said "I stick", it is more of a personal choice. I don't see anything real bad with them, I just have never used one. I think I'm getting air filters at Fleet Farm for closer to the $12 that Mr. AWDImprezaL is quoting. I do change them out about every other oil change or after a Rallyx at Raceway park.

 

Same here. Also, the paper filter actually filters. The foam+wire mesh cone filters are supposed to filter smaller media than the straight mesh panel-style K&N filters, but those are a pain in the ass to clean. Either way, I prefer to pay an extra $30 across 6+ years and change the paper air filter yearly. I can justify paying for convenience.

The airflow argument is hilarious though, Derek. What's it worth, 2hp with a tailwind? :biggrin:

 

mine fits perfect.... maybe you got the wrong one.


you can find them on Amazon.com for $30 (like i said in my first post )

Hey it is your money, feel free to throw it away.

And to say that it doesn't flow better is funny. I never said anything about HP, just the flow of air. And the difference between dirty paper and dirty foam is a difference.

good point, it is a personal choice. i was just saying it's a good way to save a buck and have a better product at the same time.

 

Everytime one comes into the shop its not sealed correctly. (i'm talking 2002-2007, the smaller rectangle, not the square 08+ filter)

 

ah, yes i know nothing about non-my car air filters.... should have thought about that. mine is an 09. i retract my post.

 

Yes, $30 over 6 years... . huge waste.

So why else would you want more airflow?

Maybe I should reiterate... the paper filter (at least in past tests) out-filtered the mesh filters. Foam filters filter well, but they're a pain to clean in my experience.

 

Ok not all of us are made of money and drive GERMAN sports cars

No matter what the amount of money is.... the argument is that you are throwing away money. Yes that might be a small amount, but from a financial stand point. it is the accumulation of decisions like these that lead to larger amounts of money going out the door for no reason. if you continue to say oh, it's nothing.... what is $5 ..... well that adds up. an air filter is not something that i would want to toss that money away on.... when a better filter will save me money

$30 over 6 years? so you only buy 1 air filter a year @ $10 an air filter (I low balled the price for your sake).
or.... 2 air filters a year at Subaru price ($24) = $288 vs. $30 for K & N
3 air filters a year at Subaru price ($24) = $432

I didn't get into HP because I don't know enought about the subject to say anything worth while.

How about this..... IT SOUNDS COOLER!

 

Please. Don't be an ass. You drive a souped up $20k+ economy hatchback. Don't kid yourself. As a commuter, it is also an impractical car. We both made a choice to make the sacrifices necessary to drive something other than a Corolla.

Also, you brought HP up.

All I'm saying is the time it takes me to clean the filter a dozen times over the course of ownership is worth more than $30. Having used all sorts of filters over the past 10 years, I'll stick to paper unless I'm running a completely different intake. They take 2 minutes to replace rather than a couple hours to clean and dry before replacing. Same reason I'll continue to by $20 fumoto oil drain valves for my commuters instead of spending $5 for 50 crush washers.

 

LOL, i would think you would know me by now... i mean you have kicked it with me a few times. take a joke dude. you're a friend not a random drone on the internet.

I am guessing this is about the german car thing.... believe me I would own your car if i could. now to comment on your statement.... impractical is relative to what i want it for. and i got the car for 100% of what i was looking for (and could buy) in a car. So this statement is not true. "impractical" for a car is opinion and observation when it isn't the driver.... well atleast in my case.

Really? I don't recall... if so my bad. we both know i have much to learn in this dept.

I agree, the clean and dry time is not ideal. But i find it is better than buying paper filters. It is funny because look at the oil I buy vs. others who go for the cheap option. I guess to each their own.



I didn't mean to jump on you. But i did want to point out that $30 was not a realistic figure over a 6 year peroid. because you actaully save hundreds of dollars.

 

You said it flows better... I can only assume the reason you want more airflow is for more v-tec.

 

For V-TEC you usually need to focus more on fuel pressure... But I can feel the V-TEC kick in on my Civic LX with my new intake. lol

 

my mom won't let me drive a V-Tec because they have too much VRRRRRRMMM PSSSSSSSTTTT

 

:laugh: sry,couldn't resist...

 

Not to interrupt you two, but I can vouch for the K&N filters not fitting inside the airbox of a WRX very well as I have one. Unless there's been some kind of revision in the last 4 years, they are a pain to try and fit back into the box. I would go with paper, just for the sake of fitment for every time you pull the box off (which seems to be a lot for myself, lately).

Also, if the OP is removing the snorkus, sound will not be a problem.

 

unless if u have a legacy cause with a kn drop in filter and the snorkus removed u still cant hear ScHmIdT

 

Oh ho, I see what you did there...

 

Blackozone. My experience is not valid for prior to 08 WRX intakes. I guess the 09 I have takes a different style filter. Eric had said something about that a few posts back.

 

I'm not disputing your experience. I own one personally and am verifying with 3rik that they don't fit as well for 02-07 as 08+ does (likely due to the update in air box design).

 

02-07wrx / 04-07sti, the aftermarket filters usually fits like crap
the stock one fits perfectly.

08+ fits much better
same goes for the 05+ lgt

 

yep i can do that cause that is my last name
i have not had a problem with my drop in filter fiting. i went with a short ram intake just for the sound. yes im a nub but after catless up and down pipe, and straght threw mufflers and still having no noies i wanted some.

ps to the guy i got the short ram from i forgot ur name but have ur money for u

 

haha ok i got the silencer out! so should i get a paper ones or get a k&n, my wrx is an 03. holy crap can i hear my turbo, hellss yea man. and isnt the point of the k&n to gain a few ponies and get better mpg? and does it not fitting perfect make a difference in performance or is it just a pain? and even if i pay 50 bucks for the k&n filter i change my oil quite a bit seeing that i drive so damn much. so id be going through a lot of filters every year.

 

Sounds like Eric said your year the filter doesn't seal right with the K&N.

 

It seems to seal fine, but yes it's a pain to try and get the box back together after you pull it out. The K&N would give you a more cost-effective option in the long run since you can clean it, but it will be a little bit of a hassle every time you try to get it back in the box.
As for power, you won't notice a difference. The factory intake on the GD WRX was pretty efficient from the factory.

 

Yeah, the fitment of my K&N panel in my '04 WRX was kinda iffy when I installed. Will check and see if it's moved or misplaced after driving, if so I'm returning it.

 

My K&N drop in fit perfect in my 04.

just my $.02

 

hmmmm.... do you know what part number you used?

 

Checked back to see if K&N was fitting fine, and it was :biggrin:

 

Nope, just went to O O O O'Reilly's asked for a K&N. Was like $35-40 if memory serves me right.

 

well then **** man ill just get a K&N and if it doesnt fit then i get paper ones and sell it on ebay.

 

WWW.Amazon.com will be the cheapest place to buy it.

 

i was told by a friend to check out perrin air filters. Yay or Nay????

 

Perrin is a swear word.

 

Perrin panel filters are good, as are K&N.

 

why is perrin a swear word? and whats the deal between a regular DP and a belmouth? does the wider opening let more air flow? and do you need different brackets or whatnot?

 

Basically. The larger the cross-sectional area, the more gas it can flow. Granted, diverters or what-not can help to.

Poor quality/fitting parts at a premium price. //////flames/////