Best Air Filter??

[miamibob]

Just curious to gauge everyone's experience in this matter. Have a 1995 GM (stock) and was wondering your thoughts as to the best air filter. Please explain any variables you use to determine the response (filtering capacity, air flow/performance, etc...). Trying to keep the car stock so not sure I'd consider Cold Air Induction or ones of that sort. K&N? WIX?....Bobby

[Lincolnmania]

i use stp filters and change them regularly

[sly]

i use stp filters and change them regularly

I did this before I put the stage one intakes on stuff. (cone filters) I'm lazy, so being able to leave a filter be for 15K or 30K miles is a good thing in my book.

[1987cp]

Nothing wrong with paper, but definitely look into whether the budget-priced gauze filters from brands like Spectre or Summit come in the size you need. K&N most likely does, but they're ... very proud of their product.

[johnunit]

I use paper filters. They are better filtering than a foam or gauze, and in my setup (not 100% sure about efi panthers) it's not a significant restriction.

[sly]

you don't notice any difference with the higher flow stuff until you get over about 4K rpm. The Vic was definitely happier with it. it pulled better for the top third of the curve (just in drive, not even manual shifting). The 88... it just barely got better right around the top of it's lopo band. The Mark has always had one of those filters in it since I got it.

[Lincolnmania]

dont blow 50 bucks on a k&n unless you really want one

[miamibob]

Thanks Scott (and others). Was really curous as to other's findings!! Wonder if the Motorcraft is different thatn the Fram??

[Lincolnmania]

maybe i should release the inner jew, but i can get two stp's for the price of one motorcraft lol.......i have alot of cars and trucks so i think and buy on a budget, sorry if that offends anyone

[SVT98t]

I use the 10" Spectre filter on the Tank. I like it. Well, I also have a cai on it.
It sounds healthy especially over 4k.

-ryan s.

[miamibob]

Scott, no one should be offended at all! Cheaper price items getting the job done is a good way to go! Bobby

[ford man]

Hastings filters are the best paper filters I've come across. Really well made and long lasting. STP would be at the bottom of the scale... cheap and not long lasting(a lot less pleats). Spectre is a great value and just as nice as a K&N in my opinion. Did notice a difference when I put one in my '73 mustang with 351.

I wouldn't run an oily filter like a Spectre or K&N in a car with a mass air sensor downstream of the filter though. Because the filter oil can corrupt the sensor and make the car run worse. I would run a paper filter with a mass air sensor.

[mrltd]

If it's properly oiled, it won't make a mess of the MAF. I've had one on my marauder airbox since I installed the airbox/maf. I just cleaned it for the first time a month or so ago, It wasn't very dirty and the maf didn't have any oily residue in it. It's been on there for about 6 years.

[gadget73]

The trick with oiled cloth filters and a MAF is to carefully follow the directions when oiling them. The directions will explain how much oil to use, and its not much. Over-oiling it even a little bit can get oil on the MAF. Many people drastically overdo it, so its probably hyped up as a bigger problem than it really is.


I usually end up with whatever paper filter the store has. I've got a mix of Fram, Purolator, Wix, and STP in various things. I had a cone filter and got tired of it. It was a very cheap one without much filter area, and it needed cleaning relatively often. It got black every couple of months, and honestly I got tired of cleaning the thing so I upgraded to a factory airbox.

[DsTrBd]

Fram... Original replacement based on your specs