I've cleaned the OEM filter twice now and I must say it is a very large filter. This is good. The problem is that the airfilter box is very small. Even smaller is the hole that you need to slide the air filter through to mount it up. It's super tiny. The plastic filter cage can't even go in unless you twist it just right and allow the filter box corners to poke in between the cage bars. So the filter must be compressed and bent to force it through. I also like to grease the filter lip so that I get a good seal. Well the grease gets all over.

On top of all of this I can't see if the filter is properly seated on the box when I'm done and after all the twisting I am not certain if the cage is properly in place either.

Ack. I like a nice clean air filter and want to keep it maintained. What has your experience been? Are aftermarket filters/cages smaller?

 

My twinair filter is about the same size and uses the stock cage. No help there...

 

Bugger, that's my preferred aftermarket brand. On the XRs it was smaller than OEM.

 

If it's smaller, it's not much smaller. I didn't really compare it to stock...but it's time to clean the filter so maybe I'll check.

 

works very well. You just have to bend one side of the metal plate so it matches the angle of the filter box.

 

I've heard a bunch of folks knock the K&N for dirt use, and others say it's just fine. Is there any definitive data to show K&N performance against the others?

 

I've ran K and N's in all manner of trucks, cars, bikes, etc. in all kinds of conditions and have had no issues related to it. It is one of if not the best performance filter out there and sure I've seen it put down alotof people but but if you maintain it it's hard to beat I don't care what anybody says.

 

I am also a diesel pickup driver and won't use a K&N on anything. Please don't make this a K&N thread.

So you guys have no problem getting the OEM size foam filters in and out? The filter is very large. Larger than the XRs that are more than twice the displacement.

 

I just shove it in. The filter and cage compress at the sides and spring back once it's in the box. I Vaseline the filter lip before i install it. Once in the air box, i seat it and give it a little twist. If i think it's in right I feel all around it with my fingers and feel for any spots that aren't where they should be. Never had an issue.
Dan

 

Ha! That's great Dan, I also twisted it to try and be sure that it was seated right. Glad you agree that there is a bit of force required.

I spend a lot of time getting the filter and air box clean, then oiled, and then a nice and neat bead of grease on the lip. Only to have it all look like hell when I'm done and me questioning whether the system is sealed right. I like your idea on the vaseline, the chassis grease I used is pretty thick.