What is your opinion on Foam vs. Paper air filteration?
I have a Monster Flow intake w/o an element.
My options are a universal K&N cone filter or the Monster Flow foam filter.
The K&N will likely be < $40 and the Monster Flow is > $70.
Yeah, I have seen Monster Flow on EBay. Try Monsterflow miata on your search. I remember the spelling was not exactly what you think it should be.
I like my Monster Flow. I think it is a step up from my K&N drop-in filter. The K&N drop-in is not that much different than the OEM paper filter.
Gabriel
Personally BR, I like the foam element in my Monster Flow. I do have a cleaning and recharge kit if you still have the old one (it can be salvaged). Anything is better than no filter at all.
I've heard that the Monster Flow is better than a K&N. Don't ask me for links though, I got rid of them a long time ago. I think it had to do with the MF filter flowing a little better than the K&N, but better flow can also equal more debris entering the engine. I don't remember if the MF caught as much as the K&N, but I know some of the other foam filters let a lot of crap by.
'02 Berlina S2k
J's 60RS, K&N FIPK, AUT CF cooling panel,
JDM sidemarkers, S badges, BYS emblems,
Mugen TP, 11.7:1 CR, Comptech Header,
Hello Kitty Mugen badge
That's why you charge them with oil, thoroughly, and clean the flow meter. They just last longer than paper, and once wet, paper is never the same. Motorcrossers have had them for YEARS. When was the last time you saw a dirtbike with a paper filter? They work. Monster Flow has a write up on the design of the filter at Goodwin Racing.
Are you implying the K&N is a paper filter? Or are you saying people wash the cheapo paper filter and still expect it to work as good as new?
Personally, I have used K&N in the past with good results. I've used an Edelbrock foam filter on a 350 before with meh results. It finally caught fire when the engine backfired pretty bad. It was melting into the carb and was a pain to clean up. The Injen CAI on my RSX has a filter similar to the K&N cone design.
AEM has a new DryFilter design. Similar to the K&N filter but it works without oil. Linke
'06 RSX Type-S NBP
No, K&N was used in my 61' Hot Rod for many years. Good too. Mine looked like paper, but still needed to be charged with light oil. I have seen people blow their paper elements apart with compressed air, and some even go so far as to try a wash 'em. Foam just outlast through maintenance, is all. K&N cone filter was used in my '91 with good results. I like the maintenance of the Monster Flow filter. Much easier and easy to take completely apart for thorough cleaning.
BR, it's been a while since I purchased mine, but I think the $70 is the whole assembly: filter and two pieces holding the filter in place. I think just the filter was a bit cheaper. But it has been a while. If not, then I hope mine lasts for a lot longer then, cuz' that sucks.
Goodwin has the red monsterflow filters on sale for $49 at the moment.