DIY: Drop-in Air Filter Replacement

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by Br1gz

I'm in the same boat. I feel like I did it properly but my OCD keeps kicking in and I can't help but think something is off. Is it possible to install the k&n air filter without removing any bolts?

Its possible, but itll make the job a little harder than it really is.

[MuseChaser]

You can change the air filter without removing the bolts. The first time I did it I couldn't get it line up and close correctly so I ended up removing the whole thing so I could see what the problem was. Once you know how it all fits together, you probably won't need to take the whole thing apart again in the future. It's not a big deal to do, either way.

[EastBayCanuck]

I've installed and took it out once to clean and put back in without removing the three bolts. It's totally doable though good chance you may scrape your hand up like I have done both times due to the tight fit.

[Freude am Fahren]

It's easier to remove the airbox than it is to put the filter in without doing so.

[Prmspen]

Originally Posted by Freude am Fahren

It's easier to remove the airbox than it is to put the filter in without doing so.

Totally agree. I followed this DIY and installed the K&N filter this weekend, and I think it would have been a nightmare without removing the bolts. Removing/replacing the bolts is super-easy, and it makes it simple to install and align the new filter.

BTW, the biggest difference I noticed with the new filter was in the car's sound. Less of that tractor-like rumble at low revs. Smoother feel overall too. Butt dyno isn't sensitive enough to know whether there was any performance difference, but based on other comments on the forum, I'm guessing the answer is "not really."

[FX86]

i did it without removing the bolts...didn't have any issues doing it that way

[pxtang]

Originally Posted by Freude am Fahren

It's easier to remove the airbox than it is to put the filter in without doing so.

Yup, this is super helpful. Unless you don't have the tools, there's no good reason to not remove the bolts (all three of them even). It also makes it easier to verify that you've slipped the bottom things in correctly.

[RickyBobby]

After 24K miles and 5 years, yeah I know I'm way overdue, I purchased a Denso 1433002 air filter from Rock Auto for $5.46. It's looks almost exactly like the OEM filter. To help with the shipping charge and tax I also ordered cabin, air, and oil filters for all my vehicles ($5. rebates on ACDelco cabin and air filters) and used the 5% off code 9828590593619063
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ir+filter,6192
https://www.gmpartsrebates.com/
Thanks to the OP for posting the DIY. I tried installing the filter with and without removing the 3 bolts. With the Denso filter I had no problem installing it without removing the bolts. With another filter that's less flexible than the Denso I can see where removing the bolts would help.

Not that dirty after 5 years. Install the Denso filter with the squared off corner in the lower left.


Closer look at left side tab after installation


Check that the main intake air hose is secure. After installing the air filter mine had slipped off ~1/2".

[Silverz]

These are the type I use too. The other ones are just to hard to install. The first one I bought was a fram and thought I had bought the wrong one.

I use the epauto Gp482. Looks like the original and much easier to install that the standard filter. These densos are little cheaper so I might check them out. Thanks

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

After 24K miles and 5 years, yeah I know I'm way overdue, I purchased a Denso 1433002 air filter from Rock Auto for $5.46. It's looks almost exactly like the OEM filter. To help with the shipping charge and tax I also ordered cabin, air, and oil filters for all my vehicles ($5. rebates on ACDelco cabin and air filters) and used the 5% off code 9828590593619063
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ir+filter,6192
https://www.gmpartsrebates.com/
Thanks to the OP for posting the DIY. I tried installing the filter with and without removing the 3 bolts. With the Denso filter I had no problem installing it without removing the bolts. With another filter that's less flexible than the Denso I can see where removing the bolts would help.

Not that dirty after 5 years. Install the Denso filter with the squared off corner in the lower left.
Attachment 174779

Closer look at left side tab after installation
Attachment 174780

Check that the main intake air hose is secure. After installing the air filter mine had slipped off ~1/2".
Attachment 174781

[neoknux_009]

Wish I would have seen this guide earlier. Replaced the filter without unbolting anything but blundered by snapping off one of the teeth (clip? See picture) That it rests on at the bottom of the box.
It still appears to be "stable" but should i be worried and try to get a replacement?


Sent from my LGM-V300S using Tapatalk

[mrhayes1]

That tooth you snapped off supports the bottom of the cover helping to hold it in place to the other side. You still have one more tab, but there is a chance you could not get a good seal since you broke one of the bottom tabs.

I would personally get a new airbox, but i wouldn't panick about it and not drive car. You should feel around and ensure you have a good seal and no gaps tho. Perhaps duct taping the bottom or something would be a safe bet to ensure there are no air gaps. You should be able to pick one up a used air box for very cheap. Used, stock parts on this car are worthless despite what everyone is actually trying to sell them for...Just offer someone $20-40 for their stock box at most or perhaps someone will just give you one.

[mrhayes1]

Not sure if someone mentioned in this thread but the trick is to kinda "torque" the left side of the air box a bit when trying to get it back in place after replacing the filter. There is no need to take apart anything to simply replace the air filter unless you really desire to.

The key is to torque the one cover so that you are able to get the bottom lined up in each one of those teeth. It takes a bit of effort, you have to almost "contort" the blueish colored intake hose (on the left side) a bit to get some space so that you can get both teeth in. The system is meant to be very tight as to prevent things from getting loose or leaking over time. If you dont do this you will only likely get one tooth snapped in and you will miss the other one and when you try to clamp the 2 top clamps you may break that bottom tooth. Once you get those bottom 2 teeth in, you're good. The car will "tell you" if your good or not; if you are struggling to snap the two top clamps...you probably don't have both bottom teeth in. Once you know how to do it, its easy and you can do it everytime in a matter of seconds.

[Rob VA]

Interestingly, my 2018 BRZ TS stock air filter from Subaru has no different corners.

I just bought an after market "silicone" filter which does.....and no matter how I insert it, it does not fit...go figure. It is too large.

Took it apart and reassembled 4 times. Original filter with rubber seals fits fine....so off to find a replacement, replacement...argh...