Drivetrain Do Foam Air Filters (DDM/Alta) Effectively Filter Debris?
#1
Do Foam Air Filters (DDM/Alta) Effectively Filter Debris?
Hi NAM!
I recently got my R53 MCS and I’m already thinking about putting and intake and exhaust on it LOL.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading about intake systems and it seems that a lot of people like the Alta or DDM intake systems. But I noticed that these systems use foam air filters. I’m used to K&N type air filters and I’ve always thought that foam filters don’t filter debris or particulates as effectively as the K&N type of air filter.
Is this true? Or do you think the foam filters are good in filtering the bad stuff in the air?
I recently got my R53 MCS and I’m already thinking about putting and intake and exhaust on it LOL.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading about intake systems and it seems that a lot of people like the Alta or DDM intake systems. But I noticed that these systems use foam air filters. I’m used to K&N type air filters and I’ve always thought that foam filters don’t filter debris or particulates as effectively as the K&N type of air filter.
Is this true? Or do you think the foam filters are good in filtering the bad stuff in the air?
#3
Years back, I was totally against them for street use. They did NOT do even remotely a good job. Good for keeping rocks out only.
Over time (about ten+ years) and competition (more brands), they all got better. I have a K&N that is a "factory" part for one of my motorcycles. It does a good job of even keeping the finer dust out of the airbox. I have white cotton gloves from work...yes I white cotton glove checked my air box for dust one tune-up interval. All was good..!
Stay away from foam filters. They do such a good job of filtering, that they also restrict air flow at mid to higher rpm's. I've seen this first hand on chassis dyno's with the sniffer up the tail pipe. The higher the rpm, the richer the system, as compared to the same engine with a cotton filter, just a few minutes before. I've seen this more than once on more than one dyno.
Your choice, your money.
Mike
Over time (about ten+ years) and competition (more brands), they all got better. I have a K&N that is a "factory" part for one of my motorcycles. It does a good job of even keeping the finer dust out of the airbox. I have white cotton gloves from work...yes I white cotton glove checked my air box for dust one tune-up interval. All was good..!
Stay away from foam filters. They do such a good job of filtering, that they also restrict air flow at mid to higher rpm's. I've seen this first hand on chassis dyno's with the sniffer up the tail pipe. The higher the rpm, the richer the system, as compared to the same engine with a cotton filter, just a few minutes before. I've seen this more than once on more than one dyno.
Your choice, your money.
Mike
#4
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
R50/53 Oiling DDM Foam Filter (R53)
RHcoopers
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
2
04-09-2016 01:32 PM
gknorr
MINI Parts for Sale
7
01-27-2016 04:09 PM
gnhovis
MINI Parts for Sale
1
04-20-2014 11:06 AM
SimpsonGI
Drivetrain (Cooper S)
3
03-16-2010 08:34 AM
PenelopeCooper
DC Metro MINIs (Archive)
21
05-17-2007 01:54 PM