bman Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I have no illusions about getting more HP from an air filter change. When the closest AutoZone was out of the Outback filters (except the $40 K&N), I started to look online to see what else was available. I don't want to mess with anything oiled. And I consider buying a cleaning solution for the filter as adding to the cost of the filter. Plus, is a filter which has been cleaned by my "time constrained" hand going to be cleaner than a new on off the shelf? With that in mind I'm looking at paper filters. I saw an article (repeated several times in several forums) about AC Delco filter being very good. Has anyone here compared the AC Delco against the Subaru OEM? It's about half the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 Other filters: Fram, WIX, Pentius, Beck\Arnley, Purolator, MANN, Hastings. ...or are they all the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEE-OTTO Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I haven't but if you do lets us know! Also if you change your filter at say every 10K miles would it matter that much how "cheap" a filter is? Not hating or anything I currently run what ever is on sale at the 10K filter change interval past few times it has been Purolator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I liked STP for best fit when i used paper air filters. Though after seeing how dirty the secondary filter behind my paper air filter was (after 100k of paper filters), I decided to try something new and went with the aem dryflow filter. I talk about it a little more in the link below http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/air-filter-cabin-air-filter-questions-help-193138.html?t=193138 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andnyleswillriot Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 have you considered the AVO high flow panel filter? requires no oil and does minimally increase hp (I could barely notice but it is sort of there haha) http://www.avoturboworld.com/avoshop/panel-filter-p-3.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twall Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I have an Apex'i drop-in. It's a dry filter and I am happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanchitosonria Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I am happy with my K&N for what it's worth... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.sane Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I use the AVO filter. Washable, doesn't require oil, and lasts a long time. A similar alternative is aFe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 I seriously considered a washable panel: AVO, AEM, etc. But there were a few factors: 1) I'm lazy. Washing a filter is just one more thing to do. 2) I change my air filter when I change my oil. About every 6K miles. Probably more often than necessary. 3) I have doubts washing a filter can get all of the dirt out 4) I don't want to wait for a filter to dry before driving my car 5) I worry that a washed filter will not filter as well as a new one So buying a new paper filter at each change seems to satisfy these issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twall Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Yes 6k is probably overkill. As far as cleaning.... I usually just blow it out with compressed air unless I have time to let it dry. Easy and it is worth it IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 Both Amazon and RockAuto had the AC Delco air filter about double the price of the Fram. Wondering what the difference could be, I bought both and here they are. The construction is noticeably different. From the top the most obvious difference is that the AC Delco has a support in the center in the Fram does not. Upon closer inspection the Fram has a support but, it's built differently. The AC Delco has a center spine and the pleats seem glued to it from the sides. The Fram as a center spine also but, a portion of it is cut out like a saw blade (ie. /\/\/\/\/\/\). I'm assuming this is so the the filter media can be inserted from the top. From far away they seem the same but, when looking closer the media of the AC Delco is much fluffier. The AC Delco is fluffy that the pleats touch each other. On the Fram the pleats don't touch. The glue points the Fram are compressed and each one measures about 1/4 inch. The AC Delco pleats taper to the glue points but, there are no 1/4 inch compression points. The Fram is so compressed at these points I don't think any filtering can be done and there are four of them. The AC Delco rim has cut outs so that the gasket can be seen though. Other than saving weight and cost I don't understand why those would exist. The Fram does not have the same cut outs. Final note is that the AC Delco has a "Made in Korea" stamp and the Fram has "Made in China". It's clear these two filters did not come from the same factory line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Interesting. Do either of them appear to have a curved frame as I have pictured with the Fram below? I noticed this curve with a few other brands as well, not just fram. http://home.comcast.net/~apexigsx/faf/1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 I didn't see any curvature Apexi. I installed the Fram just now and the filter doesn't sit in the box snug. The filter has about 1/4" to 1/2" wiggle room in there. The back part of the air box pushes against the filter tightly. I hope there's enough compression to keep the filter from vibrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twall Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 My Apex'i fits snug. No issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaytron Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 going with a K&N is worth it for the added sound alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomberlegacy Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 going with a K&N is worth it for the added sound alone. And a dirty MAF. Paper ftw '08 Legacy 2.5i - hybrid intake - delta 1000 - E85 - magnaflow exhaust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanchitosonria Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I always hear people say it will dirty the MAF, but after using them in several different cars, I have never had that problem. Really just as long as whatever filter is clean, you're doing it right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomberlegacy Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I don't think its a huge issue as long as you don't put a whole can of the spray on it after cleaning. But other than being a lifetime part, there isn't much of an advantage over a paper filter. '08 Legacy 2.5i - hybrid intake - delta 1000 - E85 - magnaflow exhaust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Fouled MAFs aside. From what I've read, paper filters better than oiled material overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andnyleswillriot Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 And a dirty MAF. Paper ftw maybe if you suck at simply cleaning it... lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twall Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 The oil does foul up the MAF. Which is why I went with a dry one that can be cleaned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
road race legacy Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Another option (expensive one) would be a BMC air filter from http://us.bmcairfilters.com Had one on my Audi S4 for more than 2 years with no MAF issues. On the legacy I have a K&N filter. Not worried about the MAF issue since my car has the charcoal filter so I doubt oil will ever mess up the MAF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twall Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Holy expensive filter batman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compsurge Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 aFe Dry is like $34 and you can wash it with water, shake it, and put it back in. Let the engine air dry it for you Surely a few drops of water isn't going to hurt (otherwise you wouldn't drive in the rain?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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