High Capcity Air filter vs non high capacity

FL335i · February 21, 2016

I did an oil change and tire rotation this weekend at 38,600 miles. Replaced the factory air filter. It was finally shot. I work on job site and it's just a lot of dust and sand flying around. I checked my PRO codes and do not have the "high capacity" air cleaner from the factory. I picked up a Napa Gold # 2488 (high capacity) version for my truck. Dropped right in. Before I did so, I compared the OEM filter vs the NG. Pleat count. The factory filter had 56 pleats. The 2488 filter had 78. (Or maybe 58 vs 76, can't remember, one of those two). The Napa gold had a lot more pleats. The thickness was not much more if any. Maybe 1/4" more? Another difference is my factory filter was white paper. the 2488 was yellowish higher end looking media. Similar to the MANN/BMW air filters I've seen. I picked up two brand new Napa Gold 2488's on Ebay for $30 shipped to the door. Couldn't beat that deal with a stick. They're $23+tax locally at Napa. I have no plans on changing from the Napa Gold 2488 unless Napa changes something on it. I give the Napa Gold 2488 Filter a Thumbs up!

Side note: Whenever I change my air filters, I spray the MAF elements down with MAF cleaner spray. They did not look dirty, but it does not hurt.

jamesonjc · February 21, 2016

I switched to the k&n drop in - I lease my trucks therefore if the kn is less efficient, it really means nothing to me.

I do notice a tiny bit of increased pep.

JC

FL335i · February 22, 2016

... Yeah K&N's don't filter as well. But you lease. I buy my trucks new:)

white1500 · February 23, 2016

I just changed mine out to the Fram extra guard filter and it definitely looks to be better quality and able to hold back more contaminants. And this one is waxy as opposed to regular paper.

I'll use this again the next time around.

amc31b · February 25, 2016

The Napa heavy duty air filter is the best next to the OEM AC Delco heavy duty. The filter media Wix (Napa Gold) uses is thicker and stronger than regular paper. There are also more pleats and the wire mesh that holds the filter together is a bit thicker too. The sealing gasket is high quality and fits the air box very well. You made the right choice buying the heavy duty Napa gold air filters.

On another note, the location of the air box on these trucks keeps the air filter very clean and they do not need to be replaced very often. I replaced my air filter at 25,000 miles and it still looked brand new. Most of us can probably go 100,000 miles or more before the air filter really NEEDS to be replaced. Replacing the air filter every 50,000 miles would probably be a very safe bet. An air filter with a light coating of dirt on it does not need to be replaced. In fact, all air filters will actually filter the air better when they are slightly restricted and have a light coating of dirt on them.

And no, using a high flow air filter like a k&n will NOT give you a mileage or power boost unless your previous filter was completely plugged and not letting enough air through. All modern vehicles today use a closed loop engine management system and a slightly less restrictive air filter is not going to gain you any extra horsepower, especially at the rear wheels. The only real difference you might notice with a k&N or "high flow" air filter is with the sound. You are changing the resonance of the intake system and you get a little more noise when you put the pedal down. In order to really gain any extra horse power from a high flow air filter, you would have to adjust the engine management parameters using an PCM/ECM tuning system.

FL335i · February 27, 2016

^ agreed. I went 39k and it looked eh. However I am on construction sites daily. Tons of sand blowing around in FL. Being I had the non high capacity factory filter I was due for a filter. And yes the location pulling behind the fender is great.

amc31b · February 28, 2016

Another little tip- Even if your air filter has some dirt on it, don't throw it away. You can lightly tap it out and then brush the dirt off with a paint brush. This will usually clean the filter to more than good enough for another several thousand miles.