Nismo CAI Question

[GilGunderson]

Some background: I'm not new to forums, just this one. Yes, I tried the search function - not much luck. To my knowledge this isn't in a sticky somewhere. I have been fooled before.

2004 350Z Touring, Nismo CAI installed. I have had this car for a while. When I bought this car it had the Nismo CAI installed on it. I don't have the manuals or the original intake hardware.

I know that I'll probably get flamed real hard for this one but here goes...

I want to change the filter. I see that it is washable, but I would rather replace it with a standard K&N cone filter or similar. Has anyone else done this, and/or what size filter should I use? Should I just wash the thing out and shut up?

Sorry if I started another unnecessary thread. If it's been covered before please supply applicable links. If not, your helpful advice is very appreciated! Lets begin...

[R350Zz33]

if you can get the k&n filter that fits use it or wash the nismo one

[350Engineer]

I've never done this before but it seem pretty basic. Search for K&N cones that have the same pipe inlet size and same cone length. If you want a longer cone or wider cone just see how much space you have where the filter is and get something that will fit your dimensions.

[aris_unlimited]

The air filter on the Nismo intake is a K&N filter. Just wash and reuse.

[bmike818]

As long as the airfilter is still structually sound, meaning no holes. Just clean it, it's better for the environment.

...and Welcome to Nico!

[ZMEDIC13]

***NOT TRYING TO SELL PRODUCT JUST PROVIDING INFO. I'M NOT AN AMSOIL DEALER. SHARING A PRODUCT I REALLY LIKE****

AMSOIL filters are good filters and what I like even more is that they are dry filters, meaning you don't have to oil them and worry about messing up sensors because you accidentely added too much oil. They also last just as long as the KN filters and supposedly filter even better.

AMSOIL Ea Air Filters allow more airflow than filters that use cellulose media alone. Cellulose fibers are larger than nanofibers, and have larger spaces between the fibers, causing contaminants to load in the depth of the media and plug the airflow path, which results in higher restriction and less capacity. The synthetic nanofibers in EaA Filter media have submicron diameters and small interfiber spaces, which result in more contaminants being captured on the surface of the media and lower restriction.

AMSOIL Ea Air Filters hold up to two and a half times more contaminants than cellulose air filters. Since the nanofibers in the media are so small there are more pores per square inch, allowing for higher dirt-holding capacity and lower pressure drop when compared to cellulose filter media alone. Thinner media fibers produce more uniform pore size distribution, improving the filter’s overall quality and ability to capture and retain particles. Testing shows that Ea Air Filters hold 15 times more contaminants than a wet gauze type filter.

FRAM K&N AMSOIL Ea GM (OEM) Media Type Cellulose Wet Cotton Gauze Nanofiber Cellulose Retail Cost $24.95 $54.97 $38.10 $23.85 #of Changes/Cleanings(25k/yr) 1 Change 1 Cleaning 1 Cleaning 1 Change Cost for 4 Years $99.80 $74.92* $38.10 $95.40 Cost per Year $24.95 $18.73 $9.53 $23.85

* Plus additional purchase of cleaning and oiling kits

They also offer a pre filter sock to help protect from water and bigger debree. AMSOIL Ea Pre-Filters will not cause any significant reduction in air flow. In fact, AMSOIL EaAU and EaAR Filters allow more air flow than the engine can process, so adding an EaPF will not prevent a more-than-adequate amount of air flow from entering the engine. (http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/eapf.aspx)

Link to AMSOIL for information on their induction intakes: http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/eaau.aspx

Click on "See detailed EaAU specifications and photos (200k PDF)" to see pictures of the induction filters that they offer and the sizes they come in. It will also give you the size of the filter such as overall length width and inlet size.

Click on "EaAU Dimensional Measurement Features (37k PDF)" which will show you how they messure their filters so you can better understand what you're reading on the specifications page.

[R350Zz33]

you should just go to autozone with ur filter and match them they should have like 20 in stock

[GilGunderson]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I like this place. I have a couple more questions though...-Is there a .pdf of the instruction manual or walkthrough thread of the Nismo CAI installation? (I know it's pretty straight forward, but I didn't install the thing after all and I'm not quite sure how to go through it. I would prefer to read through something before I attempt it... like to do things right the first time!)-Does anyone know the exact dimensions of the filter? I guess it's got a 3'' OD on the pipe from some online shops for the entire CAI assembly. If I could get the dimensions, I'll just order one online. (I want to have the filter before I begin because this car is my only transportation.)Silly questions I know. Please bear with me.-Instead, how do I wash it? Just hose it out and let dry? How do I oil it, and how much oil is too much? Again, if I had that stupid manual this would be easier. Thanks fellas.

[aris_unlimited]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I like this place. I have a couple more questions though...-Is there a .pdf of the instruction manual or walkthrough thread of the Nismo CAI installation? (I know it's pretty straight forward, but I didn't install the thing after all and I'm not quite sure how to go through it. I would prefer to read through something before I attempt it... like to do things right the first time!)-Does anyone know the exact dimensions of the filter? I guess it's got a 3'' OD on the pipe from some online shops for the entire CAI assembly. If I could get the dimensions, I'll just order one online. (I want to have the filter before I begin because this car is my only transportation.)Silly questions I know. Please bear with me.-Instead, how do I wash it? Just hose it out and let dry? How do I oil it, and how much oil is too much? Again, if I had that stupid manual this would be easier. Thanks fellas.

If you go to any auto parts store they should have cleaning kits for your K&N filter. Buy the kit and the directions are on it.

Also my father has a drop in replacement for his Jeep. He doesn't use the kit, just rinses it off with water and lets it dry before reinstalling. This is not the recommended way to do it, but he hasn't had any problems yet.

**EDIT** Forgot you needed to know how to get to the filter.

I can't find my old directions for when I installed my Nismo CAI, but I can tell you how to get to the filter.

There are 2 ways to do this.

1. Crank the wheels all the way to the left and remove the inner fender wall enough to reach toward the front of the car and hopefully get the filter off. (This will probably be a pita)

2. Jack up the Driver side front tire. Remove tire. Remove inner fender wall. Reach inside towards the front of the car and remove air filter. Clean as you will. Obviously assembly is the opposite of removal.
Modified by aris_unlimited at 5:20 AM 3/10/2009

[ZMEDIC13]

The instructions for cleaning the K&N filters are very easy, just be careful when you apply the oil so you don't put too much on. Make sure you clean them on a day when you don't need to go anywhere because it will take several hours to dry depending on temp and humidity. Placing it in direct sunlight helps speed things up as well. If you don't want to mess with oiling the filter AEM and AMSOIL both make a dry flow filter that works just as well if not better than the K&N and you don't have to oil it.