AEM Dryflow
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 239
From: 32 miles north of Nissan AZ Proving Grounds
AEM Dryflow
Berk has replaced the K&N with this newer dry-type, cleanable filter which was first introduced in late 2005. The claims are:
1. ease of maintenance
2. reduced risk of maf damage
3. greater filtration than oiled filters
Upon reviewing the limited info online regarding this filter, my initial thoughts are:
1. true
2. true (gross overoiling is taken out of the equation)
3. maybe so, but the likely trade-off is flow (power, responsiveness)
Overall, this sounds like a nice compromise between oiled filters (K&N) and more expensive, non-cleanable dry type filters (Apexi).
The question is, does anyone have specific long term (i.e. at least one cleaning cycle) experience with the AEM Dryflow?
1. ease of maintenance
2. reduced risk of maf damage
3. greater filtration than oiled filters
Upon reviewing the limited info online regarding this filter, my initial thoughts are:
1. true
2. true (gross overoiling is taken out of the equation)
3. maybe so, but the likely trade-off is flow (power, responsiveness)
Overall, this sounds like a nice compromise between oiled filters (K&N) and more expensive, non-cleanable dry type filters (Apexi).
The question is, does anyone have specific long term (i.e. at least one cleaning cycle) experience with the AEM Dryflow?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 239
From: 32 miles north of Nissan AZ Proving Grounds
Originally Posted by soonerfan
i wouldnt buy anything from AEM...but thats just me.
im good with my apexi
im good with my apexi
and how long has the apexi lasted you so far?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 239
From: 32 miles north of Nissan AZ Proving Grounds
Originally Posted by maxximaa
i wanna find out which ones i should get too...more comments plz...
Bought this setup used from the FS boards last week. Just installed it tonight.


Now I'm just as much as an air filter fanatic as anyone, and I gotta tell you, this AEM thing is impressive. Every year I go to SEMA, I end up feeling around inside the cone filters for how the rubber molding is shaped on the inside. This is the ONLY filter I've found that is actually radiused to the outlet, providing a real smooth airflow path. The quality of the filter media is nice and well assembled, I have no reason to disbelieve AEM's lifetime warranty claims. This filter has 1000 miles on it, and I'll probably clean it in December (AZ dry/dusty summer FTL).
As for power....well it's worth every penny (even had I paid full price
).
Now I'm just as much as an air filter fanatic as anyone, and I gotta tell you, this AEM thing is impressive. Every year I go to SEMA, I end up feeling around inside the cone filters for how the rubber molding is shaped on the inside. This is the ONLY filter I've found that is actually radiused to the outlet, providing a real smooth airflow path. The quality of the filter media is nice and well assembled, I have no reason to disbelieve AEM's lifetime warranty claims. This filter has 1000 miles on it, and I'll probably clean it in December (AZ dry/dusty summer FTL).
As for power....well it's worth every penny (even had I paid full price
).
I have the AEM filter as well, and I have had it for a good 3k miles and I can't say any problem with it at all. Then again a filter is a filter to me
but I cant complain about it, never looked back (they told me they were out of the A'pexi and would give me the AEM for the price of the oiled when I purchased mine)
but I cant complain about it, never looked back (they told me they were out of the A'pexi and would give me the AEM for the price of the oiled when I purchased mine)
i had a injen cone filter on my car, then changed it to the dry flow.
i felt like the dry flow was a little better. it felt a little more "responsive" and a little "faster". maybe by milliseconds, but nonetheless.
I was never really impressed with the injen filter. I hear its a K&n filter, but i don't know. i guess im not used to all the carbon build up and stuff that occurs every 1000 miles.
i think biggest difference would be maintainence.
i felt like the dry flow was a little better. it felt a little more "responsive" and a little "faster". maybe by milliseconds, but nonetheless.
I was never really impressed with the injen filter. I hear its a K&n filter, but i don't know. i guess im not used to all the carbon build up and stuff that occurs every 1000 miles.
i think biggest difference would be maintainence.
I have had the AEM Dryflow filter attached to an injecn CAI for about 8,000 miles. I've heard from an old Ford forum that oiled filters such as K&N can contaminate the MAF. It really doesn't matter what I have heard, just a matter of what I think, and I do believe that small particles of oil, especially after cleaning, can be sucked into the sensor, so why take a chance? Why the hell is everybody's MAF's going bad, not just on our Nissan's? Sure, it could be some sort of defect, but I'll bet that its from these filters. I'm sure people will say they've had no problems, but I just believe oiled filters will increase the prob. that contamination could occur.
I'm not sure what type of filter was on my car before, I thnk some sort of foam type, but the AEM performed the same or better in terms of response and power, all of course based on feel. Basically, I would recommend it.
I'm not sure what type of filter was on my car before, I thnk some sort of foam type, but the AEM performed the same or better in terms of response and power, all of course based on feel. Basically, I would recommend it.
after seeing a pic of the filter...even though it is larger than the apexi, the apexi has a better design and actually gets more air in to the throttle body.
with the filter above, the air gets sucked in the the center of the filter, then gets sucked to the throttle body. with the apexi, the funnel direct air straight to the throttle body.
Apexi - "Funnel shapes focused on increasing air speed without changing the flow direction of the intake air. The result is a high speed and smooth flow of air into the intake."
with the filter above, the air gets sucked in the the center of the filter, then gets sucked to the throttle body. with the apexi, the funnel direct air straight to the throttle body.
Apexi - "Funnel shapes focused on increasing air speed without changing the flow direction of the intake air. The result is a high speed and smooth flow of air into the intake."
Originally Posted by aptgrk
oiled filters such as K&N can contaminate the MAF.
if you use the filter correctly, it will not cause a problem with the MAF
Originally Posted by soonerfan
Apexi - "Funnel shapes focused on increasing air speed without changing the flow direction of the intake air. The result is a high speed and smooth flow of air into the intake."

I'd love to see a dyno comparo of filters alone.
Originally Posted by DOHCtorJT
I'd love to see a dyno comparo of filters alone.
honestly though, the difference is probably 1/2-1 HP with any intake and filter
Originally Posted by soonerfan
that has been disproved many times on here.
if you use the filter correctly, it will not cause a problem with the MAF
if you use the filter correctly, it will not cause a problem with the MAF
I understand it has been disproved, but people have also agreed with my opinion. I believe the chance of contamination increases with use of an oiled air filter.
I've had my AEm for about 6 months now on a "berk style" short ram intake, I have a injen hydroshield wrapped around it. Works fine with no problems. I switched because I took apart my maf one day to clean it and found little bits of oily red foam sticking to the mesh of my MAF.
Originally Posted by aptgrk
Use the filter correctly? Are you talking about an incorrect installation. or maintenance? The only way you "use" the filter is to drive your car. In the case of maintenance, then I would agree, especially if you do not let it dry enough after cleaning.
I understand it has been disproved, but people have also agreed with my opinion. I believe the chance of contamination increases with use of an oiled air filter.
I understand it has been disproved, but people have also agreed with my opinion. I believe the chance of contamination increases with use of an oiled air filter.
independent places have done extensive testing on the K&N filters and it didnt cause a MAF problem. dealerships blame them for MAF problems to push the blame somewhere else. they also try to discount the K&N so they can continue to sell people nissan filters.
I have the DryFlow filter and it works well. had it for about six months now and no problems. IMO filters are kinda just filters. as long as its a name brand like aem or apexi, works fine, and it doesnt cause maf problems or whatever then who cares?
i bought the berk tech cai w/ AEM filter in dec. and it is awsome. the sound that it makes all the way throw the power band. i would recomend it to any body, even my buddy with a 04 max got rid of his apex for this aem dry filter.
I've damaged a maf with a K&N, even though I used the very lightest oil and let it dry for nearly half a day in Arizona air. My mechanic hates oiled filters and he's the mechanic that designed some of our finest Max parts. Thankfully he cleaned the maf before it fried out. I could tell from the surging that it was jacked.
Originally Posted by soonerfan
i mean proper maintenance
independent places have done extensive testing on the K&N filters and it didnt cause a MAF problem. dealerships blame them for MAF problems to push the blame somewhere else. they also try to discount the K&N so they can continue to sell people nissan filters.
independent places have done extensive testing on the K&N filters and it didnt cause a MAF problem. dealerships blame them for MAF problems to push the blame somewhere else. they also try to discount the K&N so they can continue to sell people nissan filters.
The only reason I am currently afraid to go back with K&N is because of their lack of filtering...just isn't worth it IMO for the 1 or 2 extra horses over a dry filter.
I have the Apexi right now, not installed yet. Anyone know how many miles these things are supposed to last for before replacement under average driving conditions?
I am not too fond of dumping and replacing the Apexi every so often, and so the AEM is starting to seem like the best choice for me since I want to stay with a dry filter.
I have the Apexi right now, not installed yet. Anyone know how many miles these things are supposed to last for before replacement under average driving conditions?
I am not too fond of dumping and replacing the Apexi every so often, and so the AEM is starting to seem like the best choice for me since I want to stay with a dry filter.
Thanks guys for putting this Thread up .. Lots of good Info .. How can you tell when your MAF is going bad or how do you clean it? Im suppose to get my Berk INtake with the AEM filter this week ..
Originally Posted by soonerfan
i wouldnt buy anything from AEM...but thats just me.
im good with my apexi
im good with my apexi
AEM/DC Sports are very good and reputable company.
Originally Posted by S.S.Engine
A reason would be nice and informative instead of stating your opinion.
AEM/DC Sports are very good and reputable company.
AEM/DC Sports are very good and reputable company.
Originally Posted by The Law
It would be nice if you read the thread, stupid newbie.
Originally Posted by soonerfan
i have to give my reasons in EVERY freaking thread talking about this?
if you had done some research, you would know the reasons
if you had done some research, you would know the reasons
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