Different pod filters
As some of you might have gathered from my previous thread that I recently installed a Corksport SRI with TIP. I've been mucking around with different filters to see if there is any difference at all. I thought I'd share what I found...
AEM Dry Flow (with corksport kit)
Review articles suggest that this filters better than flows. On my car I would spike 21-22psi and hold about 17psi. Noise wise, it changes note as the turbo gets angry and makes a wicked high pitched sucking but on release of throttle sounds like a nasty choke.
Apexi Power Intake with WRX MAF
Review articles suggest that this is a good filter (not as good as AEM) with excellent flow characteristics (better than AEM). Plus its Japanese and therefore there is rice goodness. Installed in my car, spikes would be about 19-20psi and hold about 15-16psi. Tightening all clamps made no difference. Induction noise and release of throttle sound really nice. I think the decrease in boost might have something to do with the MAF housing and the air straighteners as opposed to the filter. Unfortunately the apexi filter uses a different attachment to the maf then the corksport kit so I couldn't try the apexi filter on the corksport maf housing.
3A Racing
Autosalon magazine found that this cheapy Taiwanese branded filter outflowed all the Japanese & American top guns. No mention about filtration though so I expect that it would probably be pretty average given its high flow characteristics. It was cheap so I bought one and bolted it to the corksport MAF. Boost spiked to 22psi straight up and consistently held 17psi with the usual tapering off as the rev limit approaches. Performance seems to be similar to the AEM. Noise wise, it is almost identical to the Apexi but screams louder. I love induction noise so I'll leave this filter on for a while and see how fuel economy goes.
Despite being cheap, the 3A seems quite well built and the filter material looks similar to Apexi.
06 6MPS Radiant Ebony Luxury
Car sold and dearly missed