cone filter - does it really make a difference?, newb questions Options

[BloodyStupidDave...]

Hi,

I notice that most members' cars have a cone filter fitted.

I picked up an unbranded burgandy red cone filter for a couple of pounds at my local scrappy. It looks brand new. Considering using it on my Celica, but does it really make a difference over the stock Toyota panel filter? Perhaps I should look at a K&N panel filter to go in the stock air filter box?

Also, being in the UK and as my Celica is my daily drive, the engine bay gets quite damp, salty and grubby. How do cone filters cope with water and dirt build-up? Should I be looking to box the cone filter in a similar way to the stock air filter box?

Finally, where is a good place to fit a mass air flow sensor with the stock setup and with the cone filter fitted?


This post has been edited by BloodyStupidDavey: Jun 16, 2007 - 12:03 PM

[neo_in_aus]

Most people use cone filters for the 'bling' factor because they generally look good in a well maintained and cleaned engine bay. Sad thing about it is, unless you pipe in cool air directly to the cone filter, you are actually harming performance of your car by only sucking in hot air. Hot air is less dense than cold air, and as such you get less bang for your buck.

So unless you are planning on showing off your engine bay quite a bit, i would get the K&N drop in filter or equivalent. I have been using a K&N drop in filter and it works great. you just have to make sure to regularly clean the filter, however any replacement filter that is not a cheap paper filter will have the same requirement.

[BloodyStupidDave...]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have been using a K&N drop in filter and it works great.

But does it make a difference over the stock Toyota panel filter?

--
Davey

[uberschall]

But does it make a difference over the stock Toyota panel filter?

--
Davey

in a word, yes. in multiple words - a high performance filter (like a k&n) panel filter is designed to pass a higher volume of air by presenting less restriction (while maintaining a high level of filtration). oiled cotton filters require maintenance (washing and re-oiling), but the upside is that you can actually save money by purchasing one instead of a paper filter, which simply has to be discarded when it gets clogged/dirty.

i put a k&n in my last celica, and i'm putting one in my current one too.