AFE Pro Dry S Filter Review

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!! Not Recommended !!

Hey everyone,

Well I recently purchased an AFE Pro Dry S drop-in replacement filter for my 2008 LGT and wanted to share a quick review of the product with you since I hadn't seen too many for this particular filter.

Construction:

The filter is listed as having "Constructed with 100% polyurethane on all four sides, this high flow "oil-free" OE replacement performance filter will outflow stock paper filter for improved horsepower and torque. Two layers of progressively finer mesh synthetic media provide maximum convenience and easy maintenance. "

This is my second AFE filter and just like the first the quality of the filter felt great. Fitment in the air box was spot on, with no detectable movement while reaching in through the intake hole. It has a total of 17 Pleats compared to the WIX/OEM replacements 24 and the overall media area is also smaller. As you can see from the pictures, with a good shop light behind the filter media, you can't see the pin holes commonly associated with K&N's. (I would also point out that while this filter uses two layers of filtering media, some other vehicles models use a 3 layer media. Both are listed as synthetic.)

Clean-ability:

While I haven't had to clean this filter yet, I have had another Pro Dry S in a past vehicle and very much appreciated a simple vacuuming of the filter for a regular cleaning. A little soap and water if you want to clean it out good. AFE also has a cleaning kit if you wish to purchase, but its not at all required.

Performance:

The flow from an observational (READ: Not Scientifically proven) seems to be improved. Throttle response to me actually feels like the biggest improvement (Not major, just improved), with the low to mid range power unchanged. The top end, specifically the last 1500-1200 RPM does feel a little better, but I'll reserve the right to change my mind on that once the newness wears off and my mental state returns to normal. I may also try to use the iPhone pocket dyno, to try and compare the factory filter with this AFE eventually.

Sound:

The intake sound has increased. To me there is a little more grunt that can be heard now, with the minor addition of the faint sound of the turbo and recirc valve. Overall on a stock car with only the filter changed, its a nice not at all annoying increase in sound.

Milage:

[uPDATE]: Its been about a month and with my normal driving routine and I can give a quick report. Using the on board computers estimation, I went from 21.6mpg with the WIX branded factory filter to 21.9 with the AFE. This was without a reset to the accumulated milage. I have now reset the milage info, and will give one last report after another month, although I don't expect to see much diffrence.

Conclusion:

Honestly I didn't buy this filter for performance, I simply wanted a good quality reusable filter to cut down on landfill waste. Doing my part for the environment as you could say. The intake sound now is nice, and if the top end improvement is real albeit I would still say small, I'll take it. The Pro Dry S gets pretty good results in most UOA's I see on bobistheoilguy.com and is easy to clean. I took some pics for a visual reference and would like to note the possible unfiltered leak on the WIX that was in the car prior to my ownership. I do call them possible because they may also be simply from a dirty mechanics fingers. Either way, the polyurethane seal of the AFE appears to seal real well.

Thanks!

Dan

Updated with some minor gas milage information.

Dan

UPDATE 12 June 2012:

It was time to change the oil according to Subaru's maintenance scheadule, and I decided to inspect the AFE filter. Let me start by saying that at this point I DO NOT recommend this filter for the Legacy or any Subaru that may use this part number. Upon careful disassembly of the filter box I was shocked to find a coating of dust on the clean side of the air box. As you can see in the pictures the dust is easily seen with a shop light and as you can see by where my finger had wiped away dust. This was present in the air box, maf tubing and hosing.

Ley me clarify, that I do not live in an area that would be considered "dusty" normally, however it is unusually dry this year and Ive noticed an uptick in construction in our area. The filtration media doesn't appear to be a problem, but the seal, especially at the bottom edge of the air box.

Ill attach pics when I get a chance.

UPDATE 13 June 2012:

Today I went by our local dealer and picked up a "Genuine Subaru" air filter since I had similar concerns with the Wix filter that I had noted in my initial review. To my surprise however I believe there may be a reason for the seal of the wix to not be performing the best. In the pic attached you will notice that the felt (or whatever it is) seal on the subaru filter is considerably thicker than on the Wix. This should help the filter to get a better seal against the air box.

At this point, it looks like I'm going to have to repeat the advice of many others on this board and suggest that if your replacing your air filter, simply replace it with a "Genuine" Subaru filter at the factory suggested intervals.

Dan