Cheap Air Filter

[bowtieguy]

it's likely most of us have seen the air filter tests, and conclusions and such. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm but, i have a question about a cheap filter. stock filters for my honda run ~$13-$20 depending on brand and chain store. i found one on-line that sells for ~$7 shipped.

it may seem trivial to worry about $6, bit things have been a little tight financially for us lately. besides, i believe that if one could save even minimal $$$ on several purchases, well you know. guess i could blow out the old one, but i haven't had the car long, and it is in really bad shape--no idea how old it is.

anywho, given the filter test results, it seems a cheapy filter test wouldn't do much harm if any. thoughts?

[bowtieguy]

well, no replies, so i guess i'll have to buy one and report on it!

[GasSavers_JoeBob]

In my '85 Lincoln on which I put over 250k miles, the only air filters I used were the basic Fram, Valucraft (Autozone), etc. I've had no problems with them.

[bowtieguy]

JoeBob, good point. my first thought would be to buy one(no big loss if it's crap) and compare it to what i have now. then, pay close attention to how it traps dirt.

[GasSavers_JoeBob]

I figure that it the throttle body stays pretty clean, the air filter is doing its job. Biggest problem I have is a little fine dust that probably makes its way around the edges of the filter...probably due to old, slightly imperfect air filter canister rather than the filter media.

[Ford Man]

I've always used the cheapest air filter available at the time of purchase in my '88 Escort Pony. It's now at 507K miles and still climbing. I agree with you saving $.10 on one item doesn't amount to much but if you go to the grocery buy 50 items and save $.10 on each item you've saved yourself $5., if you do this once a week for a year you're $260. to the good. I try to use this type of thinking on everything I buy.

[bowtieguy]

nice FordMan. we're not above using coupons, buying store brands, and shopping at the good will or yard sales.

[RedAccord02]

I dont think it would be a problem i use the autozone filters, just keep an eye on it make sure its doing its job from 20$ to 6$ is a huge savings . Good luck

[VetteOwner]

didnt know they made a paper filter for $20 lol.

hell my K&N with some off brand intake tubing was only $50 haha

yea we usually went with fram, purolator, pretty much whatever was on sale/cheapest. cars we've gotten rid of never had engine related issues (except one) always had rust issues.

[add|ct]

I have a K&N drop in on the VX right now. I wonder if an aftermarket custom WAI would get better FE gains?