Recommendation Air Filter - C2 Driver

[Oliver S.]

Hello,

I want to replace the air cleaner element foam and screen of my Carter AFB ('65 Corvette 300 hp) because they are worn. Is a K&N air filter the better choice for a driver car or is there no real difference to the foam and screen (except the price)?

Regards
Oliver

[Dave K.]

Re: Recommendation Air Filter - C2 Driver

A K/N filter is a high performance filter that gives you max air flow at low pressure drop. If you are not racing the car and just driving for fun, I'd be happy with a Fram, Puralotor, NAPA, etc. filter that you can buty at your auto parts store.

Regards,
Dave K.

[Louis T.]

Re: Recommendation Air Filter - C2 Driver

Oliver,

Assuming your filter is the same size as that in my '65 365 hp, you should be able to use a Wix 42070. See the link below for measurements.

Louis

http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/index2.asp?Section=1&Make=14&SubMake=&Model=205&SubModel=-1&Engine=&Year=1965&TempSection=1&TempMake=14&TempModel=205&TempEngine=&TempSubModel=-1&TempYear=1965

[Duke W.]

Re: Recommendation Air Filter - C2 Driver

K&N filters are overhyped, overpriced junk! They have poor particle filtration if they dry out and they DO NOT flow any more air at a given pressure drop than a decent paper air filter of the same size based on a big filter test in of all places Hot Rod Magazine, which probably gets tens if not hundreds of thousands of annual advertising dollars from K&N.

Use the filter pointed out by Louis. You can buy this filter at NAPA, but I believe the number is 2070. Wix and NAPA are both owned by Dana Corp. NAPA sells under their own part number, and Wix is the brand at other retail outlets. You can check at the NAPA online site. It's the same part, just a differnet labeled box.

BTW, the original (and repro) foam filters are also poor at filtration, so I recommend a paper air filter for normal driving. Just use the repro foam for show of judging. The filter element is fairly small and somewhat restrictive, which is I believe why GM originally used the foam, which is less restrictive, but most aren't interested in a continuous "dirt hone job" as you drive the car in exchange for a handful of extra top end power.

I'd recommend a Baldwin replacement, but unfortunately they do not offer a AC A353C replacement, but the Dana parts are good quality, too.

Duke

[Mark W.]

Re: Recommendation Air Filter - C2 Driver

I respectfully disagree with Duke. I run a K&N in my '66 L79 (7 years and 18k miles) and my '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.7L V8, 52k miles) since new (FIPK, not just replacement filter). Living at almost 6500' elevation in Colorado, they do make a difference in power (I haven't dyno'd either, so it is just my perception) and gas mileage (which I checked in both vehicles before and after). I have an AEM cold air kit in my '98 Honda Accord (only because K&N doesn't make one) and I saw gains here also. I do agree with Duke that these filters MUST be maintained properly (cleaned and oiled) so they don't dry out. If you tend not keep up on maintenence, then I would agree with Duke and go with a paper filter.