Yesterday I walked into O'Reillys to buy a new K&N cone filter for my intake. I have a cheap ebay one. I give this part #RU-2820. Well they couldn't find the #. And then checked in some other book and said alright we found it or something along those lines.

I walk into today and of course what do they have?? The stock panel replacement. I knew it was going to happen. I told them that won't work yada yada yada. I was about to say screw it when this guy suggested a new brand called Ractive.

I've heard of them, but have no idea on how well these things filter. I'm replacing the filter that came with the intake for a more quality filter, that actually may filter worth a damn. It was $27 and comes with a fancy red heat shield, which matches the other red stuff under the hood. For only $27 I took a chance.

But I want to know is it a decent filter? It has a lot deeper growl then the stock filter did. Not sure on power increase or anything like that. My car feels sort of sluggish, but it could be in my head.

 

Is this an open filter element or just a drop in panel filter for the stock air box? I'm not even sure if Ractive makes replacement filters for that stock air box.

Ractive filters are made from the same material that K&n filters are. So you should be alright. 'Ractive' is just a brand name.

Post some pictures of your filter when you get a chance.

-Paul

 

I have the same filter cept mine is blue, really dont think it is that much difference from k&n but I like it. Had it in for about 4 months now and no problems.

 

I'm curious. How would you know if the filter was causing problems?

 

If it stayed up all night being noisy. Maybe if it started staying out till all hours without calling, then coming home at 6 am smelling of whiskey and cheap sex...

 

It's an open air element filter, TheMax. Well if the filter is made out of the same material that K&Ns is, then I should be fine. I'll take pictures tomorrow, after I clean the TB.

One thing I like is at idle the sucking noise is still there due to the open air element, though doesn't seem as loud when sitting inside the car. My friend's 5spd max has an intake, but his filter isn't open element and all you hear is the motor, no sucking. He wants the sucking noise, lol.

 

does the K&N pannel filter increase horsepower at all?

 

that y u have to tie that filter on good so the lil bastard cant get loose

 

taggin wanna see pics..

do u guys see an gain in MPG or power w/ an intake or changing the stock box?

thanks.

 

i see a lost, more air =more fuel to keep a/f ratio in check

 

sounds like a good deal to me if its along the lines of k&N, good luck with it

 

On the way home from work, I gunned it a few times. Did a little 0-60 test, didn't count just tried to see if the car was pulling harder. From what it feels like, it seems to me there is more low end grunt. Tires seem to squeal a little bit more, and the car seems to rocket foward faster.

It all maybe in my head. The growl is DEEP, a lot deeper than the K&N knockoff. I'm thinking the cause in maybe more low end is due to the heat shield? Keeps the heat away from the filter making it like a "cold air intake" setup, possibly?

 

if its the ractive "cone" style filter. thoes are not too bad.

 

you got pics?? i am certain the heat shield may help but perhaps in minor differences.. i think the heat is still pretty hot under the hood if u know what i mean and that's still a debatable topic..
maybe you getting more of a better throttle response??

 

No offense dude but it's only in your head. There's no way your gonna feel it pulling harder from just a filter. The most you'll gain from any intake is 5whp at peak not all around and that's pushing it. Again no offense intended here just my .02 cents.

Any pictures yet of your engine bay?

-Paul

 

I also have the Ractive cone filter ( infact I have 3 of them, 1 open, 1 red heat shield & 1 Carbon fiber heat shield) the heat shielded ones are a lot quieter, no whistle sound either ), but still a good growl. You can clean them with the same K&N cleaner kit, so I'm sure the materials are similar, and they are at least 50% cheaper than K&N, Ractive is huge up here in Canada big with Honda's etc. Got mine for about $20 Can each! Which is about $5US (kidding about $15US) They work great, cleanable, half price of K&N, why not?

Open cone:


Red heat shield cone:


-

 

Took a quick crappy video of it. I have a digi cam that takes some video. When I rev it the sound then fades out and comes back lol.

I'm sure it's just in my head, but I feel that I do have more throttle response, but it feels slower as it keeps climbing.

Video doesn't do justice of the sound really. It sounds a lot deeper than my last filter, but in the video they sound the same, lol. I dunno.

You will need Quicktime to view it.
(1/11 - 3:38 EST still uploading at the moment, should be done in about 10 minutes).

12.6mb http://www.4drspeed.com/movies/P1000355.MOV

 

link doesn't work man

 

^ True .

 

Right click and save as. On mine it works. Double checked URL, it is correct.