Why replace the filter asap? If it is good for 10000 miles, wait a while and then replace it. I don't thing that you will see that much difference from the monster flow to the k&n.

I guess you could replace it now and sell the MF filter as almost new.

 

I was thinking about replacing it because of the noise and the possibility of it getting wet, I don't know how well foam dries/performs when moist or wet.

 

is the k&n supposed to be better then the monsterflow and give it more of a hissing noise?

and any idea's on where the creaking noise could be coming from and why

 

I know two people with K&N's, one of them has a CAI and he doesn't have any problems with the hissing, the other one hasn't had the problem either at all. I know the K&N has one of the best filters on the market period, so far as the hissing i'm going to check the screws and make sure I have the filter screwed in tight so that there are no gaps.

 

do u want the hissing sound or no? cuz i think i might have mis read ur previous post. i thought the hissing was for all cai? and i like it...just wish it was louder. kind of sounds like a blow off valve but i can barely hear mine

 

I know I started this but this is a group buy thread. Perhaps Alicious can start a new thread and we'll continue this discussion there. BTW, I have had experience with a CAI before in another car, same issues! I turned it into a hybrid intake and it did a lot better at higher speeds with a bit of a trade off on the low end. Also, because the CAI's cone filter is located way down below, it doesn't matter what kind of filter you have, chances are that if you are travelling on wet roads like here in California now that we've been getting rain storms, the chances of your intake sucking in water is greater. The foam filter falls apart sooner than K&N and I doubt if it can even last being all the way down there and your driving in the rain all the time.

No point inundating this guys GB thread with issues and I apologize for taking this thread off topic.

 

Perhaps its a matter of preference, but I consider the Monsterflow to be superior to the K&N, particularly if its used in a "hybrid" setup.

The Monsterflow works fine if bolted up to the MAF because it has a velocity stack built into the base which will significantly reduce turbulance. I would NEVER bolt a plain K&N filter to the MAF because I've seen the difference on a dyno - the turbulance that hits that hotwire does impact performance, the line is much more jagged due to the rapid fluctuations in ECU response that this creates.

Other factors include the possibility of carbon build-up on the hotwire with the K&N due to the oil-based filter fluid that typically gets over-applied after cleaning, and what I consider to be the fragility of the cotton felt materials (which is subject to being disturbed during cleaning). The Monsterflow uses a silicon-based tackifier that's lightly sprayed over the cleaned filter element, and there's no potential for damaging the MAF due to carbon build up. Also, if there was a hole in the foam material you could see it, but the filtration capabilities of the cotton can be disrupted when its cleaned or if it rubs against something, and its not obvious to the eye.

FWIW, PR used K&N filters for years, but switched over to the Monsterflow due to the carbon build-up issue. Not a cost-saving move, the Monsterflows cost significantly more than the K&Ns. I don't have the data, but I believe that they compared the flow capabilities of the two filters as well - they would not have gone with the Monsterflow if it had been inferior.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Sorry to Brian & Greg for hijacking the thread.
2Dmax, i'll PM you about how you turned your intake into a "hybrid"

 

Couldn't have explained the benefits of the foam filter better! But it doesn't change the fact that they deteriorate a lot sooner than the K&N. I had Monsterflow in my first '95 Maxima (emerald black, automatic tranny) 8 years ago. I used it for about 8 months and then traded the car in for a 4x4. Prior to having that, I had K&N (for 3 years). I didn't see any difference in performance between the two, at least not on butt dyno. Perhaps the difference is minute and maybe the turbulence isn't such a big deal that the effect it has on performance cannot be felt in person. Sure you can spot a hole in the foam easily but by the time you did, that piece of foam that came off had already gone inside your engine! IMHO, I don't see any practical differences aside from the fact that K&N physically lasts longer because the cotton gauze are reinforced between two sheets of aluminum wire mesh. During the 3 years that I had K&N in my car, I never had any issues with the MAF sensor. And I can live with cleaning the sensor from silicone build up every once in a while. BTW, I have been using K&N filters since cone filter became popular. I had it on my 89 Celica, 90 Maxima, 95 Maxima, 2k Toyota Tundra, and now another 95 Maxima.

 

I'm glad I didn't get the "silicone-based..." I received a K&N filter.

 

We can use 'other' filters with this intake as long as they fit correct?

 

Yes you can, but be very cautious on what you select. There are some decent filters like the Monsterflow, but they are a bit pricey. However there are also some really bad filters too that can cause damage to your car, so choose wisely.

Greg

 

Arrived a couple day ago. Found little pack screws deep in the peanuts after missing it on first glace.

Stuck a $20 to it and stuffed under pillow. Hoping tooth fairy get the hint.

Tack is MIA, guess it'll be a few days before mount up.

 

Have any other filter's been tested with the intake?

 

i was trying to figure out where the creaking noise was coming from and it sounded like it was coming from my filter area. when i looked the filter is up against the fender wall ( the one right in front of the tire ). i was wnodering if the filter is supposed to be up against it.

 

Me and my friend who has a 95 Maxima tried using some other filters like the K&N and the APexi filter and just found that they were no good. They are too messy with that oil and seemed to have alot less flow then the Monsterflow. All I know is that I'm very happy with my Monsterflow filter and until a better filter comes out, then I'm stickin too it.

Greg

 

Is the filter rubbing the wheel well fender, or just resting on it? I know my filter rests on the wheel well fender and doesn't rub or cause damage. It just sits there.

Greg

 

well i'm guessing it rubs against it because there is a creaking noise that comes from that area whenever i begin moving from a dead stop.

 

I think that as a general rule, the less the filter element comes into contact with anything, the better. If a vane or the rim at the base does, no big deal, but you should try to keep the foam filter element from touching anything that could wear against it.

If you're concerned about the position of the filter, getting the hole position cut accurately is critical to filter alignment, but assuming all of that has been done correctly you can adjust the filter's position by loosening the hose couplers and rotating or repositioning the tubing slightly.

Its kind of tricky because you're working in three dimensions with several possible points of adjustment, but my best advice is to loosen everything up and starting with the filter position, rotate that lower tube to where you want it to be and rotate and/or adjust the length using the hose couplers so that there's no tension anywhere, then tighten it all down to lock that position in. This can be done with one person, but it seems it might be easier with two - one guiding the filter position down low and the other adjusting the upper and lower tubes in the engine bay.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

For the creak, could the lower tube be rubbing against the rubber molding? Even if it doesn't look possible when the car is stopped, when you start out, the entire engine changes position in the mounts, which will move the lower CAI tube too. Have you tried a little silicone lubricating spray around the hole/molding?

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Write to me directly to follow up on the cleaning kit (or tackifier if you just ordered it) and let me know who you are so I can check on the order, but there's no need to wait for it to install the CAI. The Monsterflow filter is fully prepped and ready to go, you don't need to clean (and re-tackify) for 10-15k miles.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Probably too late now, but are there any CAIs left for an '03 Max?
Happy Holidays all!

 

No, not too late at all, there are several left 02/03 Maxima (and 02-04 I35) CAIs left in yellow and blue, possibly one red.

BCC

 

Same price as the group deal Brian?

 

Not just the same price, they're still part of the group deal.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

How much are they now?

 

does anyone else have a problem with remounting the fusebox? and if you do, what did you do to secure it in place?

 

yeap, PM me

 

All of the prices quoted at the beginning of this thread are still in effect:

- basic colored (red, yellow, blue) CAIs, paid for by money order - $129
- silver CAIs, paid for by money order - $135
- basic colored (red, yellow, blue) CAIs, paid for by CC or PayPal - $134
- silver CAIs, paid for by CC or PayPal - $140
- Monsterflow cleaning kits - $20 (but shipping is extra, see below)

- Shipping CAIs within the continental US is included in the price.
- Shipping CAIs to Canada, Hawaii, Alaska (don't think I've ever sold a part in Alaska) and Puerto Rico is $25 extra.
- Shipping cleaning kits is $5 in the continental US and $15 to Canada, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

any silver CAI left for 01?

 

Cool. Thanks Brian!

 

Can anyone post some feedback on the effects of the CAI? An idea how good/bad it is...
Thanks.

 

Before - 9.01 @ 78.50mph 1/8th mile with 2.10 60 foot
After - 8.84 @ 79.66mph 1/8th mile with 1.95 60 foot

:-)

 

Honestly it sounds awesome, and the performance is there and noticeable. Even after I put my Bypass valve on and the sound/power dropped but it still is 5times better then stock.

If you come to the meet this weekend you can hear it for yourself, might even take off the valve just for the weekend.

 

That's impressive and absolutely the best way to measure the effect of a cold air intake - in motion. Static dynos just can't capture the impact a CAI has on a moving vehicle.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

any silver CAI left for 01?

 

Looks like there are a couple silvers left for the 00/01.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Any Red CAI for a 2000 left?

 

Just ordered my intake. Thanks Brian!
Lady on the phone said it might be 10 days before it even ships...let's hope it doesn't take that long.

 

We have a couple yellow CAIs left for the 00/01 Maximas and I30s, that's it in that version.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance