Hey all!

After reading a lot of posts on here and elsewhere about how the K&N FIPK can let too much dirt inside, it got me paranoid. I removed the filter to take a look and sure enough, my intake was full of dirt/dust inside the tube. I couldn't switch to an AMSOIL foam filter because I don't have the stock airbox anymore. Sooo, I decided to go a different route. I got myself a foam prefilter from UNI Filters to go over the gauze conical filter.

I saw the filter wrap that K&N sells, but it was like $25.00 or more. I got the one from UNI for $17 shipped. I pulled the conical K&N filter off and slipped the UNI filter over it. It went right on. You're supposed to oil it like you would any air filter, but I chose not to since it was acting as a pre-cleaner and not the main filter. I think this also allows the air to flow through it better. Now I have a nice foam prefilter to keep the major dirt/mud out of the K&N without sacrificing hardly any of the air flow.

I have had it on for about a full tank of gas now (about 260 miles) and have no loss in power at all. All in all I'm pretty happy with it. Just thought I would share with everyone, hope it helps someone out.

**The full size pics are located here**
http://community.webshots.com/album/226729643IqUGQX

 

good idea, i think im guna stick with the amsoil drop in tho

 

good idea.. i love the k&n performance benefit, but dont liek the amount of crap they let in... however i feel the prefilter might be somewhat restrictive? but it should make up for it with the k&n and more

 

I might have to get one of those. I get crap all over, and in, mine...

 

Like I said in my post, I have noticed no difference in performance whatsoever. I think that by not oiling it, it allows air to travel through without any restriction at all. I did a test and tried to breath through it myself before I put it on and had no trouble breathing in/out with it up to my mouth. Sorry if that's weird, but I wanted to test its breath-ability.

 

As does the dirt. Ya need something for the dirt to stick to, as it won't stick to the smooth surface of the foam material. Well...some of it will get wedged into a nook or a cranny, but most of it will blow on through. So really, what protection have you gained?

I'm not trying to come down on you...just inferring that you should take a better look at your setup...

Jim
(running a K&N FIPK also)

 

What I did was went to a junkyard and got me a stock 4Runner airbox then made a big enough hole to put the tube about 2 inches inside then put the filter on. It works just great.

 

Oil that prefilter--its useless without oil.

 

I wouldn't say it's USELESS, but, it does need oil to do it's intended job, even if it's a pre-filter.