For the intake on the MINI is it better to use foam or cotton?

I saw a foam filter from DDM over the weekend which look good. I had a K&N which is cotton and also an AFE on my old 04MC. I am going to upgrade the one in my 06MC, but I am wondering? Which way should I go?


Art

 

Alot of readers with no replies...


Art

 

i think this is just one of those things that they both work well and better than paper so its just personal opinion.

i went with a foam this time. in the past iv always had cotton and after a recharge they still looked dirty. a bright foam filter will show the dirt easily so you can visualy see that it needs cleaned. and from the texture of the material i think it will clean up better in the end, to make it easier to see when its ready for its next cleaning.

 

They will both be the same in terms of performance. The foam is able to be cleaned.

 

Thanks I was thhinking they were about the same but naturally the sites all will say that foam will clean the air better.


Art

 

I can see where that makes sense, but what it comes down to is fact that there will not be any performance difference between them. So go with the foam to get a cleanner airflow.

 

K&N is good stuff. The only bad stuff you hear is about over-oiling when recharging. Can screw up sensors. Bot do it by the book and you should have no probs. I've had mine on for almost 3 years and looks super fresh every time its clean and re-oiled.

Does anyone make a drop in foam filter?

 

The only one I know about is Alta.


Art

 

You might try AFE Pro-Dry S filter just ordered one myself. No oil required and it is a cleanable filter.
http://afefilters.com/prodrys/v1.html

 

I did try that one and it was on my 04 when it got wrecked , but I do still have the other AFE filter.

Art

 

paper filters are better at cleaning the air than both cotton (k&n) or foam.

 

Can you please explain why?


Art

 

Age old debate. I like K&N because of the concept. Properly oiled cotten will capture more particles and give an above average velocity. I don't see how paper or foam can do that as well. Everyone likes something different, you probably couldn't tell the difference in power. It really comes down to maintenance and replacement life cycles.

 

I've had a K&N in for a few weeks. I don't notice much in performance (which I didn't expect anyway), but the car *sounds* like a totally different car...like I suddenly own a race car. It sounds throatier and just...good.

 

^ +1

On my last bike, I ordered it with the Ducati "Performance Package" that included a differently-tuned ECU, upgraded exhaust, and a K&N flat-panel air filter and cutaway airbox lid. (There basically wasn't an airbox lid - the lid was pretty much just replaced with a retaining ring to hold the air filter in place).

On a Ducati, the airbox/air filter/throttle body are right under the gas tank, so when you get on the throttle, the intake noise is this "whoosh/honk" sound that's positively intoxicating.

 

I installed the ITG filter, which is foam and I love it. Other than the suspension mods i've done, this is by far the best thing I could have added to my car. Foam flows a tremendous amount of air, but you have to think that the more air you have, the more potential for dirt. I would only do foam as a drop in filter myself.