[iracema1]

Dear Listers:
Probably a dumb question, but I just replaced the air filter on the air box, (Fram) and perhaps the new filter is too narrow or something, because the clips on the air box don't extend sufficiently to tighten it, or the won't stay in place once they're clipped. Every time I open the hood i find that the box has slipped out of position because the clips are too loose. Am I just using the wrong filter or do you guys have a trick to twist back into shape those clips that have maybe stretched over their useful life?
Thanks for any advice
Cheers
Andy

 

[Zunige]

The OEM Alfa air filter is thicker than other filters, and that's why the clips seem loose when you use a different air filter. In order to get the clips to stay in place, you will have to twist them a bit and get them to closer tighter.

Best regards,

 

[iracema1]

thanks Enrique! That's what I expected but glad to get confirmation
Best
Adny

 

[the_sicilian]

K&N filters are appropriately thick and have a nice rubber lip to set-in just right. best deal on them is from amazon.com for like 28$ - its the last one u will need.

 

[Zunige]

Whenever I go from the stock filter to the K&N, the clips are loose.. At least the K&Ns that I have used are a little thinner than the stock ones. Also, I would caution anyone about using the K&N on the street - it just doesn't filter as well as the stock, so it will allow dirt to go through. This is not just my opinion, it is what others have expressed many times on this BB, and what the race people (they don't post on this BB) who help me with my car have always told me.

Best regards,

 

[aldo]

Would some 1" wide by 1/4" thick closed cell adhesive weatherstripping mounted flat under the filter edge solve your problem?

 

[Zunige]

It's not really a problem to tighten the clips... Once they are adjusted, they will stay that way, as the wire is pretty sturdy. One would only have an issue if ones is switching from thicker to thinner filters (or vice versa), as this would require re-adjustment...

Best regards,

 

[the_sicilian]

really? wow good to know Z. thanks man. in LA we do alot of freeway driving almost everywhere. wonder if thats country-information?

what breather element do you prefer then? whats the thickest and best. price being no object. who was the OE mfr?

 

[Zunige]

Hi Guido,

The info is pretty consistent... Funny thing though, before I knew this I had a K&N in for a long time. Never had any trouble, but now that I know better, I follow the advice.

I've had several filters, but can't really tell that anyone has any gain over the factory filter. In fact, I also tried a cone filter way before there were any kits available. Definitely the cone sounds good, but the car is slower than with the stock set-up. Today, I use the regular filter, but when I go to an autocross or the track I switch to the K&N. Still, the additional air that the K&N allows has to be small... There is definitely no "wow effect" that I can feel, but it is not slower than stock for sure.

The Alfa filter has an orange border, and I used to get it form IAP or DiFatta, but now I get it form any of the two shops (in NJ or OH) that service my Alfas. For driving on the street I use the thick orange border OEM type.

Best regards,

 

[ddouglas77]

really? wow good to know Z. thanks man. in LA we do alot of freeway driving almost everywhere. wonder if thats country-information?

what breather element do you prefer then? whats the thickest and best. price being no object. who was the OE mfr?

K&N is a very decent filter, but the price in them is mainly for the name K&N, Enrique pointed that out very well. They are only nice and useable in the fact that you can clean them, performance wise-not a whole lot to gain there. They show how their filters "straighten" air flow through the grids built in the screen, but that is not effective, whatsoever, after making a 90 degree turn to hit the throttle body (which is very turbulent for airflow), it hits another 90 degree turn to actually make it to a intake valve. That is why Swirl polished valves are worth their weight in gold, that is where the swirling effect takes place. Tornado's=Uselessness for the same reasons, if you were maybe to make tornado's for each runner in your plenum, then they "might" be of value, but after all of the twist and turns our intakes endure, there really is no safe bet other than ported/polished heads and swirl polished SS valves (even sodium filled valves to shake off the heat would be nice!).
Bright orange rubber (It is their Trade Mark) indicates Fram...Oh no, I said it.