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Filter Wraps

MustangNoob

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Anyone has filter wraps like the ones in this video?
I'm using paper filter and they get really dirty and lots of debris..I'm wondering if over time heavy particles might shred and damage the filter and consequently the engine . I would assume the filter wraps will help , but how much restrictive are they?

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MAT1955

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@MustangNoob ..... have you considered aftermarket oil less filters like AFE. I have AFE oil less filters that are better than the Ford which BTW are decent as they used to be made by Wix. My AFe's can be washed many times if you follow the instructions, flow extremely well and filter above oem guidelines. There are anumber on the market. I thing the "covers" are unsightly, could bunch-up or be sucked into the pleats and actually be a lot worse that even oem paper filters.
 

DarkHorsePremium

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@MustangNoob,
That's my post above. While a filter wrap can slightly reduce airflow, it doesn't reduce as quickly over time as an unprotected filter. So over the course of a filters life the engine is going to breathe better, and be less susceptible to ingesting water or particulate debris. I think the benefits over the life of the filter outweighs the "hit" you would take in performance. An.umprotected filter will become more restrictive over time. The filterwear doesn't mean you don't have to inspect and maintain the air filter. It just means it will deliver better airflow (breability) over the course of the filters life.

The only thing I wish I had done was to take a reading before and after the install. In the end though, keeping the filter cleaner was more important to me.

My philosophy is cleaner lasts longer. Same for my fluid changes. Oil, radiator, trans, brake and gear oil. It doesn't cost much more and the benefits are 10 fold..
 

DarkHorsePremium

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Have to say the AFe Dry S are also very good. 👍. My experience with them was with Subaru.
 


RDH43

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Anyone has filter wraps like the ones in this video?
I'm using paper filter and they get really dirty and lots of debris..I'm wondering if over time heavy particles might shred and damage the filter and consequently the engine . I would assume the filter wraps will help , but how much restrictive are they?



I have no idea how restrictive those are but they use similar looking covers like that on dirt track cars...I will say that some aftermarket performance filters have an epoxy coated aluminum mesh over the filter element so i doubt the element gets hurt by particles under normal use...
 

MAT1955

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We ran oil less filters versus oem on dynos. The differences were small. Not so with oiled filters. We did not test filter "covers" but, personally I do not like the look and believe they could easily bunch-up and actually restrict airflow even over oem paper filters. To me the solution is simple. If you want a custom look get clear air box tops and dry performance filters from a reputable manufacturer that can be washed multiple times. You will get the best performance from either oem filters changed when getting dirty (I'd change mine sooner) or better yet AFE type that can be cleaned. Come on, spending a few $ on a DH or GT - really - you want to cheap-out on your air filters with some sort of "stocking-like" filter that IMO looks goofy (that's being nice). Open your friggin' wallets and replace the oem frequently or purchace a good looking dry filter - they come in a number of colors.
 

tktrain

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My '14 John Deere 24 HP Kawasaki 2 cylinder has a sock over the factory dry paper filter. It makes the OEM filter a breeze to clean. I love it.
 

Wiley Marmot

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AFE dry filter have an excellent rep; here and elsewhere). I'm using Think Auto dry filters which also filter and flow better than OEM. Very satisfied so far!

PS: I wouldn't expect any significant (if any) HP and/or TQ increases with any of the after market filters vs OEM. Just sayin........................

God luck with what ever you go with!
 

cbrtrx

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Filter wraps work very well I've been using them for many years and have dyno tested even at 800 rwhp the loss was very negligible, basically just the variance between dyno runs which is normal. The key like already mentioned is the filter itself stays cleaner for much longer which results in overall better flow then without using them.

I prefer Outerwears brand, that is also who S&B use.
 

D/\rK•650

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We ran oil less filters versus oem on dynos. The differences were small. Not so with oiled filters. We did not test filter "covers" but, personally I do not like the look and believe they could easily bunch-up and actually restrict airflow even over oem paper filters. To me the solution is simple. If you want a custom look get clear air box tops and dry performance filters from a reputable manufacturer that can be washed multiple times. You will get the best performance from either oem filters changed when getting dirty (I'd change mine sooner) or better yet AFE type that can be cleaned. Come on, spending a few $ on a DH or GT - really - you want to cheap-out on your air filters with some sort of "stocking-like" filter that IMO looks goofy (that's being nice). Open your friggin' wallets and replace the oem frequently or purchace a good looking dry filter - they come in a number of colors.
They dont bunch up, and they also keep crap from getting stuck in between the pleats. They're just fine for keeping the filters clean by changing them out or cleaning between filter changes. If your after looks then yes running clear covers or the like is fine too. I prefer to keeping dirt dust out of engine to increased air flow. The difference is negligible. Been running them on my vehicles for many years off-road too.
 

MAT1955

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@D/\rK•650 ..... respectfully, I disagree with you. Having a slip on cover defeats the mathematics of having pleated covers and also further reduces airflow by adding another barrier. There is nothing good about them. OEM paper filters (Wix used to make them for Ford) and changing them when noticably dirty is far better than a "sock" and aftermarket oil less filkters (think AFE) are the best for engine performance and longevity - if maintained.
 

cbrtrx

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@D/\rK•650 ..... respectfully, I disagree with you. Having a slip on cover defeats the mathematics of having pleated covers and also further reduces airflow by adding another barrier. There is nothing good about them. OEM paper filters (Wix used to make them for Ford) and changing them when noticably dirty is far better than a "sock" and aftermarket oil less filkters (think AFE) are the best for engine performance and longevity - if maintained.

Respectfully you're incorrect based off of facts that I already posted. Like I mentioned I've tested them at 800 rwhp with no measurable loss, it actually made more power with a new filter and a wrap as a used filter with only 1k miles on it, both the same exact filter simply because the slightly dirty filter flowed less then a clean and wrapped one. The wrapped filter stays cleaner so much longer, nothing gets trapped in the pleats. This was also just tested again on a 1000+ rwhp camaro on CSP YouTube channel. There was no loss in power. If the filter is sized right for the application the wrap is not a measurable restriction. Also the wraps are water repellent which that alone is good to have.

If you don't like wraps that's fine don't use them but don't spread your opinion as fact "there's nothing good about them" when it's simply not correct.
 
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D/\rK•650

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^ I Agree with you cbrtrx on this. They definitely keep bugs and crap out of the pleats. And for street driving I think they work very well. I mean take a look at how much crappy dirt and bugs leafs you name it get stuck on the filters. Water hydrophobic protection too in wet conditions. Its ok if people dont want or dont like them. Man last time I took out my filters they were absolutely filthy black. With a wrap you can pop it off smack it out and quick rinse and good to go. The flow restriction is very small if at all. Its worth it for protection to me. Just like high end synthetic oil ect.
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