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K & N Versus Ramair Foam Filters


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#1 andrewmini67

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Posted 10 April 2016 - 03:29 PM

Looking to buy a new air filter for the C1.6SE engine. Currently using a K & N "style cheap copy.

Has anyone used the Ramair foam type and are they any good?

The Ramair is cheaper but have heard that the foam can deterioate badly?

K & N is probably every ones first choice and lasts a lifetime if well looked after but the foam type apparently gives better airflow?

The difference(if any) in the induction sound between the two would be helpful too.... :gimme:



#2 THE ANORAK

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Posted 10 April 2016 - 03:38 PM

Just took a foam filter out of my new buy. I doubt it was doing any good in an other wise standard set up... any way,one good point... it did sound nice.
Its in the garage, was gonna stick it in the bin !!!

#3 Steve220

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Posted 10 April 2016 - 04:43 PM

Genuine K&N have superior filter quality.

#4 carbon

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Posted 10 April 2016 - 06:16 PM

+1 for genuine K&N.

 

If a foam element flows better than a genuine K&N then it probably won't be as good keeping fine dust out of the engine. And K&Ns have a good reputation for keeping decent airflow even when covered in muck.



#5 andrewmini67

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Posted 10 April 2016 - 07:10 PM

K & N is what you expect to see under the bonnet so nothing else will do. Been looking on Ebay, some filters have not got the branded logo on the top and just k & n in type on them. Are these fakes?  



#6 Bungle

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Posted 11 April 2016 - 06:59 AM

get your self a copy of Visards yellow bible , lots of different filters tested in there



#7 lsto

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Posted 11 April 2016 - 04:35 PM

I had a mate who had a foam filter on his fiesta, it was not a ramair please bear in mind, but after a while the foam began to deteriorate and break up.
Ended up losing a little inside his engine, don't imagine it done it any favors. Cheap Chinese eBay parts...

#8 Orange-Phantom

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Posted 11 April 2016 - 06:36 PM

I went with a  custom made ITG foam filter on mine due to space limitation.  It's good to about 300bhp according to them.  It's a dual foam filter that you cover with a special oil and it's build and quality is excellent.

 

I've no problem in recommending their products seeing as their most recent successes include F1 Drivers and Manufacturers Championship, 24hr Daytona Grand AM Championship, BTCC Drivers and Manufacturers Championship and the Japanese Super GT Champion.  They make filters for the FIA F1 championship teams, BTCC, British and World Super bikes, Le Mans Series, WRC etc.

 

Have a look at their client list!

 

www.itgairfilters.com/clients

 

Not bad for foam air filters!

 

That being said there is nothing wrong with a genuine K&N air filter either, I just wouldn't start knocking other good brands and types of air filters too soon!



#9 mingy

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Posted 11 April 2016 - 07:46 PM

ITG all day long for me, as long as you oil it before fitting and clean it regularly depending on vehicle use. The induction noise is good ( depending on engine spec ) and as said in the previous post they are used by the pro,s but, that,s my opinion, then again it,s your choice. 



#10 Gr4h4m

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Posted 11 April 2016 - 09:25 PM

I would never use foam again.

K&n for me

#11 bgrant570

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Posted 12 April 2016 - 02:54 AM

I have K&N fitted, but you can't fit a stub stack under it.  The IGN from MED has the stub stack, which is proven HP, although probably only at the upper RPM range.  It's true that many pros use foam, but they also teardown and refresh their engines quite frequently.  As I understand it, foam flows best, but a byproduct of that is that less filtration takes place.  How much less filtration and how much HP do you really gain from going foam are the real questions you need to ask.  Everyone has an opinion, but probably only some one with extensive experience using both and rebuilding engines will have the correct answers.



#12 Dusky

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Posted 12 April 2016 - 05:32 AM

K&n looks good, bus recent testing proved That k&n filters almost nothing compared to ramair andere itg. Came as a surprise to me too!

Edited by Dusky, 12 April 2016 - 05:38 AM.


#13 minifreek1

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Posted 12 April 2016 - 06:12 AM

Pipercross for me, K&N quality has gone downhill since they got bought out....



#14 Midas Mk1

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Posted 12 April 2016 - 06:52 AM

ITG all the way, the MED kit is amaziing



#15 andrewmini67

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Posted 12 April 2016 - 07:06 AM

The ITG filter, very tempted and with all the motorsport users they must be very good. Interesting point about K & N being bought out, perhaps that's why some of the filters have the cheaper looking logo on them. 






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