Help! Cai dry filter vs regular

Originally Posted by Jordo!

This is a hotly debated topic -- to cut to the chase, both perform about equally well, and you will be hard pressed to find evidence of superiority without a manometer.

I find the oiled filters a bit happier in wet weather (oil is hydrophobic), but really, either kind will do.

Now, what I find really interesting is this little graph that AEM used to display on their website, trying to hype up their dryflow filters.




You will note that the dryflow media appears to offer superior flow when saturated with dirt -- assuming these data aren't fabricated, and they probably are not (for reasons that will become obvious in a moment).

But... that's a LOT of dirt. Like over a cup of it (110 g = 1 cup!). Like the filter would have to be CAKED in fucking dirt.

In reality, you'll clean it or toss it before that happens, unless you are rally racing through a swamp or something.

When you look at flow in no to moderate dirt conditions, the K&N outperforms them all by a mile!

AEM took that graph off their site, probably because I am not the only person who noticed what the data were really suggesting...

No idea what to make of the AFE dry intakes... if those findings aren't just made up, they are definitely not the best choice for filtering (although, again, the difference on a dyno is going to be less than 1 whp...)

Originally Posted by Joker_J

Nice...you have helped me make a decision haha I live in louisville, ky where we can get all 4 seasons in 1 week haha I'll have to give the wet one a try for about a year then try the dry filter.

Now another question is (This may be a stupid question), With the wet filter, say I'm at the car wash I can just drive-off but with the dry filter, I would have to wait?

Originally Posted by Joker_J

Nice...you have helped me make a decision haha I live in louisville, ky where we can get all 4 seasons in 1 week haha I'll have to give the wet one a try for about a year then try the dry filter.

Now another question is (This may be a stupid question), With the wet filter, say I'm at the car wash I can just drive-off but with the dry filter, I would have to wait?

Originally Posted by wsarver

Nah you wouldn't be hosing down your filters at the car wash haha. Drive in, do your wash, and drive out. These are all behind the bumper or under the hood and should remain dry.

..... Mishuko you beat me to it haha

Originally Posted by mishuko

well if you look at where the filters are located relative to the grill you dont have to worry. unless you wash by yourself and you take a hose nozzle stick it into the grill point it up and spray the filters.... then no you can't drive off...

in fact a lot of people like to wash then drive to a speed to air dry. i usually dry as much as i can. do a rip around and then QD the water spots (friken side mirrors seem to soak up water and pee it out after grrr)


tldr; conventional washing will not hamper you from driving right away

Originally Posted by wsarver

Nah you wouldn't be hosing down your filters at the car wash haha. Drive in, do your wash, and drive out. These are all behind the bumper or under the hood and should remain dry.

..... Mishuko you beat me to it haha

Originally Posted by mishuko

lol it's all good!

i have even tossed a bucket of light soap water and sponged the underside of the hood and sprayed it down inside at the end of the driving season and drove off with no issues either.

the intakes are placed in a location thats relatively shielded from the elements!