I'm interested in hearing from Alta CAI owners who've switched out their Alta foam filter for alternatives. I'm contemplating going to a K&N RU-3610 (I have K&N on all my other vehicles and have grown to really like their filters).

Anyone have an RU-3610 or another K&N filter on their Alta CAI; a K&N competitor? Speak up.

 

I did a lot of research on this. You need one with a 70mm inside diameter of the the hose and comparable length and diameter to the Alta filter. I also wanted one that is cone shaped and has a velocity stack design. I found only two matches. One was a K&N (forget the part #) and the other is the filter that MiniMadness uses on their cai. Both filters also utilize the top end cone to increase air volume/velocity.

 

What would the advantage of switching out the filter? The filter Alta uses is made by UNI. Their filters are used in tons of applications and are easily cleanable.

 

RU-3610 Product Specifications
Product Style: Round Tapered Universal Air Filter
Base Outside Diameter: 5.875 in (149 mm)
Flange Inside Diameter: 2.75 in (70 mm)
Flange Length: 0.75 in (19 mm)
Flange Type: Centered
Height: 7 in (178 mm)
Top Outside Diameter: 4.75 in (121 mm)
Top Style: Rubber
Top Material/Finish: None
Filter Re-Oiling Amount: 0.95 oz (28 ml)
Flanges: 1
Inner Wire: No
Weight: 1.4 lb (0.6 kg)



Advantages are the cotton based filter versus the poly-foam, different sound (K&N should be slightly quieter), standardization with my other vehicles as far as filter maintenance (washing and re-oiling) is concerned.

 

Same process for cleaning as the K&N's, just a better (IMHO) filter material.

 

I recently had a student in a NASA event that had a alta CAI and it was MUCH quieter then my Mini Madness CAI. Much more super charger whine with mine then his. (he had 15% pulley too)

 

An additional thing to consider with the filter exchange is the direction and effectiveness of air going into the filter. Everytime I clean the Alta (UNI) filter its clearly alot dirtier at the top curved area (newer models), right where the K&N filter has a flat top. I really don't know if its because there is less air restriction there since there is no wire mesh inside the filter at the top, or if its just that the air is drawn in from the cowl area and the top is just the closest area of the filter to it (maybe a combination of both).

Anyhow, just something to consider, since the filter designs are clearly different in that respect.

 

Right now, I have a Green Filter
www.greenfilters.com

Amsoil eA has a cone filter with 2-3/4" ID flange... something for a Mustang V8...which I gotta find

 

Mine is the same way. I am sure it is because of the cowl vent, all though it is still fairly dirty on the bottom (by the stock intake).