DIY: Drop-in Air Filter Replacement

[oldpueblo]

I recently drove on some dusty dirt roads behind some other vehicles (for a long time), so I wanted to pull out my air filter to be sure it wasn't caked in dirt. It was surprisingly clean and so I wanted to make sure I put it back in right. Does anyone else see the white original filter along the edges? It looks to be sealed tight and the filter does have a pretty big edge around it that appears to be intended to squish in there to seal it up. I can't see how better to get it on honestly. (it's not upside down either) If I need to tear it out again I'll do it.

Top


Bottom


Sides



Here's a picture of the stock one for those that haven't seen it yet. Note the thick border around it.

[Rabble]

I'd try reseating it again if you're not 100% comfortable with it. There looks like a lot of bowing at the top. Worst case take it to the dealer and plead ignorance.

[oldpueblo]

So I went back this time and took the entire thing out per the DYI above. That is basically as good as it gets, it's not designed to enclose and seal completely around the air filter perfectly, the edges of the air filter seem to be incorporated as part of the full seal or are at least too thick to fit in properly (hence the bowing).

[BlackyRose]

Originally Posted by oldpueblo

So I went back this time and took the entire thing out per the DYI above. That is basically as good as it gets, it's not designed to enclose and seal completely around the air filter perfectly, the edges of the air filter seem to be incorporated as part of the full seal or are at least too thick to fit in properly (hence the bowing).

I just did the trd filter tonight and at certain angles you can see the red putter part exposed. My last car the filter was completely closed off and for completely inside the air box. This air box seems to allow you to see the outter edges across the top and on the left side.

I'm assuming this is normal? My clamps fit really easy without any effort but I'm still kinda freaked because I can see part of the polyurethane peeking out...

[melon]

IMO, this should be in the DIY Directory Link...

[oldpueblo]

I've since switched to the Apexi drop-in and even it shows at the bottom on each side if I recall correctly. That's what made me realize ultimately that the borders are part of the seal design. Here I am with the Apexi, notice it's sealed the same all around (it has a black border, not white like the stock filter).

[BlackyRose]

Originally Posted by oldpueblo

I've since switched to the Apexi drop-in and even it shows at the bottom on each side if I recall correctly. That's what made me realize ultimately that the borders are part of the seal design. Here I am with the Apexi, notice it's sealed the same all around (it has a black border, not white like the stock filter).

thank god someone else notices this. its inherent in the design of the box. I just think I noticed it more because my filter is red. Everyone elses is black therefore they probably never noticed it.

How has your apexie been running for you btw, any problems with it

[oldpueblo]

Originally Posted by BlackyRose

thank god someone else notices this. its inherent in the design of the box. I just think I noticed it more because my filter is red. Everyone elses is black therefore they probably never noticed it.

How has your apexie been running for you btw, any problems with it

Butt dyno is happy, it just seems a little more "full" than the stock filter though it's not a big difference of course. I settled on that for a combination of reasons. It's a dry filter so low maintenance, the price was on the low end, I could pick it up locally, and it had good results here (they test several different ones in the video series):

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvx3ISlKus"]2013 Scion FR-S Intake: APEXi Dyno Test - YouTube[/ame]

[07jazzrs5gt86]

Very nice write up
I took a look before I install my Perrin filter
When I install the filter I notice there's a few mm sticking out on all sides but I can easily push it in. Makes me wonder if other people using the Perrin filter have the same extra border.
I end up take out the whole box as precaution to make sure it seal properly before I reinstall so from the looks of it it was indeed seal properly then I just reinstall it and took it out for a spin.
For the initial 3 miles test drive on the empty highway it does feel like it pull better from 5.5k - 7.2k on all gears.

Thanks for a great write up

[BlackyRose]

Originally Posted by 07jazzrs5gt86

Very nice write up
I took a look before I install my Perrin filter
When I install the filter I notice there's a few mm sticking out on all sides but I can easily push it in. Makes me wonder if other people using the Perrin filter have the same extra border.
I end up take out the whole box as precaution to make sure it seal properly before I reinstall so from the looks of it it was indeed seal properly then I just reinstall it and took it out for a spin.
For the initial 3 miles test drive on the empty highway it does feel like it pull better from 5.5k - 7.2k on all gears.

Thanks for a great write up

You have that extra border showing also?

[jarviz]

It's like the made doing an oil change super easy but an air filter change a little harder to just to balance it out...

[07jazzrs5gt86]

Originally Posted by BlackyRose

You have that extra border showing also?

A few mm on all 4 sides
Now I'm thinking of triming it tmr just to be sure it 100% sealed properly

[BlackyRose]

Originally Posted by 07jazzrs5gt86

A few mm on all 4 sides
Now I'm thinking of triming it tmr just to be sure it 100% sealed properly

Let me know how that goes

[oldpueblo]

The way I see it no air goes through that border, it is part of the seal. So if you trim it allowing the plastic box to come closer together, hard plastic edges won't seal against each other. So I'm thinking that would make it have less of a seal.