In a recent independent test lab report, the A'PEXi paper air filter took first place in terms of it's ability to filter particulate matter (aka, "dirt"). In addition, because it's a dry filter, there is no oil or other "tacky" substances that could damage the MAF or engine internals. Here's the A'PEXi web site if anyone wants to take a look:

http://www.apexi-usa.com/intake_powerintake.asp

What I want to know is if anyone has experience with this air filter. Specifically, how well does it seem to flow in comparison with other cone air filters?

If no one has tried this filter, then who's going to be the first?

 

According to their application chart, it's not made for the Maxima. Also, it's $188 just for the filter, no mid-pipe or anything else.

 

Go back to the application chart, Tanmann9, and scroll to the bottom. There you will find a Universal Replacement Filter (filter only) with an 80mm opening. The A'PEXi Part Number is 500-A021. You buy the replacement filter and stick it onto the end of your Berk Tuning or Frankencar Intake. BTW, the best price I've seen for the replacement filters is $60.00.

Remember, this filter uses a PAPER element. As with all paper filters, you have to replace the entire thing at the end of each duty cycle. That makes it more expensive over the long run than a filter with a reusable element. But if you want the best, you have to be willing to pay for it.

 

Do you remember the website were you saw it for $60? If it works better then the K&N but needs to be replaced every 50K or so, then I'll invest the $$

 

You guys are really researching this intake issue a lot. It gets pretty simple if you just oil the K&N filter correctly, or just examine the Monster Flow filter. The outside coarse filter is covered with the tackifying agent, but the inner fine filter is not. So if you spray the tackifying agent on the outside filter and let it dry, there's no way any of the stuff will make it past the inner filter.

I received my MF filter today with my Frankencar intake, and it's pretty obvious if you look at it.

 

Tan, i'm curious. Did you get the right midpipe? Somehow Matt sent me the midpipe for the 2k/2k1 instead of the 2k2 and i was wondering if perhaps our shipment got mixed somehow.

Thanks.
- Mike

 

Call me silly, Tanmann9, but there's just something that bothers me about spraying a substance I know nothing about all over my air filter and then letting my engine suck on it day-in and day-out, mile after mile. I think I'll stick with good old petroleum-based oil. At least I know what it is. Or maybe I'll go with an A'PEXi filter and not have to bother with all this cleaning and re-oiling or re-tackifying crap!

BTW, here are a couple of reviews from of the A'PEXi filter from carreview.com in case you might be interested:

http://}<a href="http://www.carrevie...76crx.aspx</a>

I do remember seeing the universal filter advertised for $60.00, but I can't seem to locate the web site right now. The best price I can find at the moment is $75.00. Check out:

http://www.rollhard.com/apexintake.htm

I'll keep looking for that $60.00 price and post it here if I find it again.

 

I haven't really checked into the whole intake thing. How do I tell if mine's made for the 2K\2K1 vs 2K2? The box it shipped in says 2K\2K1, but it's not labelled any other way.

 

I've got bigger things to worry about than whether or not fumes from the tackifying agent might get into my engine. And that's all that would get sucked it, because when the agent is dry, it clings to the outer filter. There's no way any of the substance will make it past the inner filter (if installed correctly), only it's smell. Oil I can understand because it is a liquid and can leak into the MAF sensor, but the tackifying agent is a solid that coats an outer filter.

I'm sure the Apex'i filter will do a similarly good job, but since it hasn't been tested for sound or performance gains (by any maxima.org members), I'll stick with the MF (get it, "stick" with? as in tackifying agent... nevermind)

Tanman

 

I have the HKS filter and it works great. I dont really think there is a difference in intakes they all work the same to me IMO.

 

Never underestimate the power of denial!

 

Jeez, Tanmann9. What do you think it is that produces something you can smell? And I agree, you undoubtedly do have bigger things to worry about than whether fumes from the tackifying agent might get into your engine. After all, how significant is the possibility of damaging an engine when we haven't even identified all the earth-crossing asteroids yet?

And here's a little something to ponder. If the tackifying agent turns into a solid when it's applied, how does air get past it?

So let's just cut to the chase. You don't know what the tackifying agent consists of and you have absolutely no idea what its effects may be on engine internals.

What I'm looking for are facts, Tanmann9. Please respond again when you have some.

Now let's get back to the A'PEXi air filter. I know it hasn't been tested for sound or performance gains (by any maxima.org members). That's the whole point. At the risk of offending some of you by restating the title of this thread, who's going to be first?

 

Tanman, check out this photo, from what i've seen, the 2k2 midpipe doesn't have the hole beside the breather hose.

The one i got has a hole as you'll notice in the photo. This is the midpipe for the 2k/2k1.

Y2k, how far in-between can you use the Apexi b4 having to replace it?

 

I'm just wondering what all the conjecture and testing is for just for a simple intake filter. For all the research and worrying you're doing, you're getting maybe a 5HP gain. Instead of wasting time on this, why doesn't someone research a mod that will give substantial power and gains?

As far as a smell killing your engine, when I take a dump, the crap goes down the toilet drain, and only the smell remains. The smell of crap isn't gonna kill ya, and the harmful stuff is safely removed.

I actually have the MF filter, and the tackifying agent covers the outer filter. It's not 100% coverage, maybe 70% at most, but there's plenty of space for air to pass through. It's kind of like your nose, the mucus and cilia trap most of the bad stuff, but air still gets through. But with the MF filter, you get a second, smaller particulate filter to trap the stuff that gets past level one. Your nose doesn't even get that!

 

Mike,

That's the same pipe I have, so I guess mine's the 2K\2K1. Would've worked out great if I had received the 2K2, then we could swap. Sorry.

Tanman

 

No biggie. Enjoy the intake!

 

When do you plan on installing yours? I have to wait another week or so. Have to take the Maxima in for 30K service and I don't want them to see the intake.

 

Well, i could theoretically install the filter w/o the midpipe now but i'd rather just wait until the correct one arrives. I'll be installing it by next weekend.

If Matt and the others get some time off, we might have our very first H-Town meet / KN vs. MF dyno day. I'm sure you already know about it.

 

btw, where do you usually get your car serviced? Got some good news from Mossy Nissan for us performance minded peeps in Houston

 

I usually go to Mossy because I work down the street at Conoco. They've been pretty cool with me. I took my Maxima in for the slipping transmission TSB and they claimed they found no problems, but the problem never happened again after that
I'll probably go there for the 30K service, if they agree to turn my rotors for the brake judder problem.
That's great about the performance shop, hopefully we can get a connection there and get some good prices.

 

If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullsh!t



So I'll pose my questions one more time to anyone who thinks they have the ability to answer them. Are you ready? Here goes:

1) What is the chemical makeup of the MonsterFlow Tackifying Agent?

2) Could the chemicals in the MonsterFlow Tackifying Agent cause damage to engine internals such as the MAF, intake valves, pistons, etc.?

3) How effective is the MonsterFlow filter at trapping particulate matter (aka "dirt")?

 

Good question, soundmike. I'll try to get an answer for you next week.

 

i still want to do the monsterflow test of filtration but i cna't think of what to use to simulate the dirt paricles or should i just shove it around in some sand or what???


1. dont know yet

2. can't be worse then the oil in a k/n that we KNOW can kill MAF's

 

OK, we're over here now . . .

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?postid=1025021