I'd like to change out my oem filter, but am shying away from a K&N due to its propensity to allow larger particles through. Does anyone know if one is avaiable for our car? Thanks.

 

One what.. an oiled foam filter as in the thread title?

If this is what you are seeking, I highly recommend NOT to install a foam filter in your car's intake. Foam filters have a history of dislodging small pieces of their foam material and guess where it's headed when that happens?

K&N filter have two problems. First they're oiled and like any oiled filter, they can impart an oily residue in the intake stream and on the throttle plate. I said "can" with this statement. The second thing with a K&N filter is the fact that it filters better when it gets a bit dirty because the dirty gets trapped by the oil and acts like a filtering agent. K&N filters lose their flow characteristics rather quickly as they gather dirt.

The best after-market filter is the Apexi dry element "Power Intake" cone-shaped filter. You can fashion a fit for one of these for the Acura (I know.. I've done this with mine to test it), but frankly, none of the after-market units for our TLs are that much better than the stock intake which is acutally pretty decent.

BTW, the stock Honda/Acura OEM filter is a composite unit. It's oil wetted on the down side (facing the intake entrance) and dry element on the up side (facing the throttle body).

 

I didn't know that! Thanks. Now I know why we keep you around here. You're a font of useful data.

 

Thanks. I got the information about foam filters from during a little research several years ago when I had my 2002 Altima SE. I found a test of four hi-performance filters and the foam and metal mesh came out on the bottom of the heap. Next up was the K&N and on the top was the Apexi. Also, Frankencar has dynoed their intakes and has found the Apexi has a 3.5 HP edge over the K&N for their applications. This is the most I've heard regarding the difference between them.

If you really like K&N filters, I see no reason not to install one as long as you don't live in a dusty area, you watch it closely and keep it sparingly with the oil, and you keep your intake stream (particularly your throttle plate) clean. K&N filter do flow well when clean and not over oiled (this is bad).

Purolator makes a decent air filter, but finding it is not easy.

 

Yes, I know another thread - I certainly don't want anymore discussion wars to start up

I did read a bunch of other threads but don't recall much about oiled foam, mostly K&N. My experience w/ K&N on a Honda coupe was extremely positive - disappointed at first & almost forgotten about until I noticed a boost in 5th gear on the highway & also a jump in gas mileage (15-yr old car w/ years of historical mileage).

Anyway, thanks for the information SouthernBoy! I think I'll just stick with the oem filer.