CPE w/ the AFE filter

[Chinky420]

a while ago there was a thread about changing the AFE filter on the CPE w/ a K&N, due to the AFE drying out

my question is: what were the signs that your AFE air filter was drying out? i use an AFE filter on my custom setup, and am now concerned it will dry out over the summer, too.

it's not the same model filter as the CPE (i dont think), mine is 7" tall, with a 5" base (cone), and a 3" inlet. maybe the drying out problem was a result of having too small a filter on the CPE?

but if it was just because the AFE is poor quality make, then i would appreciate anyone who had their filter dry out on them, describe the way it looks when it dries out. and also, if re-oiling will help, or just hurt the overall air intake amount...?

any help is appreciated greatly guys.

[bassthrive]

my question is: what were the signs that your AFE air filter was drying out? i use an AFE filter on my custom setup, and am now concerned it will dry out over the summer, too.

Filter went from blue to gray.

Re-oiling wont hurt. You just may have to do it more often than a k&n service.

[jhenty]

they dont dry out any different than a k&n. BMW owners frequently use AFE as it has been shown to be the best after market air filter with the most flow. Maybe it just needs to be oiled more frequently.

[ClassySolaraGuy]

I've always had K&N. There shouldn't be anything wrong with AFE brand though. Has for re oiling it, I check mine every month just to see how it is. They should never dry out unless you don't pay attention to them.

[Chinky420]

word, thanks guys....

i was just a little concerned since sotex summers habitually get to the 100+ *F level in the summer.

and i usually am working/tweaking under my hood at least once every two or three weeks...i just wanted to be sure it'd be something i would notice before anything happened to my engine.

[crispone]

The drying out issue is not necessarily related to the afe brand, but the "surface area/capacity" for flow and the amount of air being sucked through it. With the CP-e and the afe that came with it, and MY driving habits, it was drying out MONTHLY! I just re-oiled it... but the indication was, not enough FLOW.

The K&N is not necessarily a better "flowing" air filter "area-for-area" compared to an afe brand (I don't know the cfm difference on a square inch comparison basis...), but by going to a LARGER.... (spelled MONGO) K&N on the CP-e, I IMPROVED my flow, performance, and reduced the frequency of oiling to once every SEVERAL months. MUCH better....


Hope that helps.


-crisp

[Chinky420]

thanks crisp, that does help, as i wasnt sure to worry about the heat being a factor.

ZX485372B - is the jcwhitney.com part number for the filter i used. the specs on it are: 3" flange (pipe connection), 5" base (bottom of filter), and 7" tall...which i'm assuming from previous pictures, is bigger than the filter that comes with the CPE. SO, following THAT logic, i should be alright since the surface area of my filter is probably much more massive than the one that came with the CPE.

really, the filter i have is pretty massive, and fairly expensive, as far as filters go. i'm just reassuring myself against buyers remorse.

thanks again for the input