Just bought a high-flow "dry" air filter

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

After a bit of research I've found a high-flow "dry" paper air filter for the V6. It is made in the US by a company called aFe Power... The main advantage to one of these over a K&N filter is these don't have oil, and therefore can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner, or just using compressed air... no re-oiling required.

I found them for sale on amazon.com, and have now installed one in my car. Certainly seems to have a "crisper" throttle response. As the revs rise, it just gets better! No dyno figures, just seat-of-the-pants feeling.

I now have my first speeding ticket in 13 years as a result!



It is about half the width of the standard toyota part:



Here is the part for the V6: 31-10114

Now I'm not yet convinced it can hold as much dust as a standard filter before needing cleaning, however since I drive 90% of the time on dust-free bitumen, this will stay in the car pretty much all the time. I'd probably only replace it with the original just prior to driving in bull dust, and put it back in immediately after.

http://afepower.com/shop/details_new...114&brandID=59

It worked out at pretty much the same cost as a Toyota part (including shipping) $85.00

[Axewell Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Axewell]

Any indications on what affect it has had on your economy (if any) Rob?

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Not yet - will post after next fill up.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Interesting find however I don't understand the logic to get 1hp extra on the bum dyno whilst running the risk of your engine ingesting something it shouldn't. Each to their own.

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Well I'm currently only using it on the bitumen, around town and up the coast. So there's literally nothing the engine could ingest in these conditions. It *is* an air filter, after all - It's not like I'm running with nothing there!

As I said earlier, I might put back the standard one if driving distances on gravel roads, however I believe even that would be a bit of overkill.

[Wil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wil]

Good to see there are some options - will be keen to hear if there are any economy advantages.

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

OK - just filled up after using almost exactly both tanks with the new filter installed.

Result: No difference in consumption at all!

However, since I was having fun driving with this filter, I think this means that with a gentle foot, you'd see a definite improvement.

Anyway, the point of fitting the higher flow filter was not to save fuel, but to provide a more power from the engine, and it's definitely done that!

And at no extra cost compared to getting a new standard Toyota filter.

[Axewell Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Axewell]

Thanks for the update Rob.

[discoveraus Member Find all posts View Profile Close discoveraus]

Helo Stevensr34,

I am interested in how the new filter fits into the standard airbox wihout air bypassing the filter altogether. It looks like a different width and length with a smaller area to pass the air.

K and N filters do not have a good name offroad and they use oil to improve their performance.

By the way, air around cities and highways is as dirty as country dust, the particles are just finer and equally abrasive, you just cant see the lumps. Do you have any data on the newer filter as to its filtering ability in microns and quantity. Without test data you are sticking your Prados neck out.

I suspect that these filters are not going to be very good in the long run.

regards

Ross

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Hi discoveraus,

I am interested in how the new filter fits into the standard airbox wihout air bypassing the filter altogether. It looks like a different width and length with a smaller area to pass the air.

Nope - you are mistaken: they are an identical size. No air "bypasses" the filter.

K and N filters do not have a good name offroad and they use oil to improve their performance.

This is not a K&N filter. I'm not currently using it off road.

By the way, air around cities and highways is as dirty as country dust, the particles are just finer and equally abrasive.

You do realise that air particles of all sizes exist in the air we breathe? Including ultra-fine particles that lodge in our lungs... primarily from Diesel exhaust?

Do you have any data on the newer filter as to its filtering ability in microns and quantity. Without test data you are sticking your Prados neck out.

Do you have the relevant information/test data from Toyota on the filtration performance of the standard air filter?

If the particles are fine enough they will get through the standard toyota filter as well. So everyone is "sticking their Prados neck out" to some extent... This company makes filters for Lamborghinis, Mercs, etc - In comparison, the Toyota engine is about as refined as a tractor...

AFE's comment about these is:

DRIVING CONDITIONS: STREET/DUSTY - Pro DRY S will provide extended filter life in normal, everyday driving conditions; in dry, dusty conditions Pro DRY S is an excellent choice for ease of maintenance

I suspect that these filters are not going to be very good in the long run.

What you "suspect" is irrelevant to this thread - I'm not asking you to buy this - I'm forwarding my experiences...take it or leave it...

[prh Member Find all posts View Profile Close prh]

In fairness to discoveraus, I think that that the perspective in the photo comparing the filters is misleading.

Presumably, the replacement filter matches the original in shape and in all dimensions apart from thickness?

Paul

[Skipmsg Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Skipmsg]

Don't worry about the 'knockers' Rob.

If it lets in 5% more particles then factory filter (I'd be suprise if it not as good if not better then the toyota product) then you might have something to worry about in 150 years.

Sounds like a good thing Rob and I'd be keen to hear more about it as I'll be due for a replacement filter shortly.

It may take a few fill-ups before you notice a difference in fuel economy as it will take a short time for the engine managerment system to learn and adjust to the new air flow data.

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Update: I've used the filter now for a 9000km trip Brisbane to the Kimberleys, via Simpson Desert, including about 4000km of dirt dusty roads. Each night or two, I'd get the filter out and knock out the dust, also blowing it out, and it worked a treat!

Once home, I washed out the dust, hosing it back out from the clean side, and it looks/works as good as new again.

Cheers,

Rob.

PS: No - the engine has not blown up/been ruined/worn out!

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Don't worry about the 'knockers' Rob.

If it lets in 5% more particles then factory filter (I'd be suprise if it not as good if not better then the toyota product) then you might have something to worry about in 150 years.

Sounds like a good thing Rob and I'd be keen to hear more about it as I'll be due for a replacement filter shortly.

It may take a few fill-ups before you notice a difference in fuel economy as it will take a short time for the engine managerment system to learn and adjust to the new air flow data.

The engine management won't change at all. It will always look at the air flowing through the MAF regardless of air filter type. The engine will only consume an amount of air proportional to it's capacity in un-supercharged form. Simple physics really. Air might flow easier through the filter but only as much as is needed by the engine. This may allow it to rev smoother and faster. Restriction of air flow through the filter because of dirt will mean that the engine may not get the air that it needs and therefore will not run smoothly, resulting in reduced revs and loss of power just like squeezing somebody's throat.