So with all the ?s and Air Filter Options available, I thought I would share a lil tale of Solid and Dependable Air Filter system, and the way it should be setup for dependable Air Filtering and Intrusion Protecion.
here is a pic of my just removed filter system.
As you can see, I have been using the stock HPI setup for housing and inner filter, covered by the TGN RedNeck Dual Stage Outter Filter, covered by an Outerwares Air filter Bag.
Here is the dis assembly of the dirty system.
As you can see, the out side of the inner prefilter is also dirty. THIS IS NORMAL, even the Outterwares and TGN doesn't do a 100% job, which is why a properly setup inner filter and housing is most important.
You will have to take my word for it the Outerwares and RedNeck were Very dirty when i washed them out. I didnt take any pics of that. This setup has had approximatly 4 tanks thru it since it was cleaned and installed last.
Now for re-assembly, their are a couple very important steps so you can be confident it wont let you down.
first is a well cleaned and nicley oiled inner pre filter.
Here is a pic of the 2 i have ready. One is an older filter that was cleaned up, and the other was new.
I put them both into a zip lock sandwich bag, and poured in about 1/8th cup of Bel Ray Super Tachy Pre Filter Oil. I swear by this stuff. And when they say SUPER TACHY, THEY MEAN IT. after touching this stuff, even HOT HOT water and Dawn dishwashing detergent doesn't remove it all. You can stil Feel it on your hands. Gas even has a hard time cutting thru it all. lol I found Rubbing alcohol works best to get all residue off your fingers. Available at any motorsports shop.
As you can see here, i have the 2 filters in the bag, oil in, and has been worked into both filters until the are a nice blue color (color of the Bel Rey Oil).
both out of bag, you can tell the new from the older filter, the newer one is a bit darker, this is becuz it was still in a package but open, so the air dried out the stock oil, so i had to reoil it.
i chose my filter, stuck the other one back in the zippy and sealed it up for later use, and then i took the filter and rolled it in a couple paper towels to absorb some of the excess oil.
While you want a Well Oiled inner filter using quality pre filter oil, you don't want it saturated and impedeing air flow. So once oiled up, take out some of the excess oil by using paper towels to pul it out of the filter until its covered, but not soaked.
This next step is CRUTIAL to ensureing you have the air filter SEALED well to the mating surface of the housing.
I will install the prefilter, then give it a spin against the housing to smear the grease around 100% of the mating surfaces. Then remove the prefilter and apply a bit more grease if needed. then re install on the housing and give just a small wiggle once seated to be sure the filter mates and seals to the pre fitler housing.
Yup, GREASE. I use the same grease I use on all my bearings. High Temp Red Grease from a company called MASTIK. I buy it at the local Tractor Supply for 4.00 a pint. Great Grease, and inexpensive as its Agriculteral grade grease.
as you can see, i apply a fairly thick coat around the mating end of the pre filter, then install it on the HPI Prifilter housing.
The grease is imparative to sealing the air filter to the housing. Without the grease to seal the two pieces together, dirt can AND WILL work it way between the inner pre filter and housing to inside, and go stright thru the carb and into the motor.
i then install this newly ready to use setup on the carb. install the retaining rings and clamp to the carb manifold. Then the Redneck (cleaned and dry) then the end cap and clip, and finially the Outerwares.
Now you have what has come to be considered one of the BEST Protected and Well Functioning Air filter setups.
I have used this setup and method in the Dirt, Sand, and Ice/Snow. In damp and sometimes even wet conditions, with mud and crap getting everywhere. I have run it in some of the Dryest conditons around, and have probably ran over 30 gallons of fuel thru various Bajas (it will work on any RC the filter can bolt to the carb on), using this exact setup and method of assembly, and it has NEVER Failed me.
So there it is. IMPO, the best onroad/offroad Airbound option for keeping your motor clean and free from ingestion.
here is a pic of my just removed filter system.
As you can see, I have been using the stock HPI setup for housing and inner filter, covered by the TGN RedNeck Dual Stage Outter Filter, covered by an Outerwares Air filter Bag.
Here is the dis assembly of the dirty system.
As you can see, the out side of the inner prefilter is also dirty. THIS IS NORMAL, even the Outterwares and TGN doesn't do a 100% job, which is why a properly setup inner filter and housing is most important.
You will have to take my word for it the Outerwares and RedNeck were Very dirty when i washed them out. I didnt take any pics of that. This setup has had approximatly 4 tanks thru it since it was cleaned and installed last.
Now for re-assembly, their are a couple very important steps so you can be confident it wont let you down.
first is a well cleaned and nicley oiled inner pre filter.
Here is a pic of the 2 i have ready. One is an older filter that was cleaned up, and the other was new.
I put them both into a zip lock sandwich bag, and poured in about 1/8th cup of Bel Ray Super Tachy Pre Filter Oil. I swear by this stuff. And when they say SUPER TACHY, THEY MEAN IT. after touching this stuff, even HOT HOT water and Dawn dishwashing detergent doesn't remove it all. You can stil Feel it on your hands. Gas even has a hard time cutting thru it all. lol I found Rubbing alcohol works best to get all residue off your fingers. Available at any motorsports shop.
As you can see here, i have the 2 filters in the bag, oil in, and has been worked into both filters until the are a nice blue color (color of the Bel Rey Oil).
both out of bag, you can tell the new from the older filter, the newer one is a bit darker, this is becuz it was still in a package but open, so the air dried out the stock oil, so i had to reoil it.
i chose my filter, stuck the other one back in the zippy and sealed it up for later use, and then i took the filter and rolled it in a couple paper towels to absorb some of the excess oil.
While you want a Well Oiled inner filter using quality pre filter oil, you don't want it saturated and impedeing air flow. So once oiled up, take out some of the excess oil by using paper towels to pul it out of the filter until its covered, but not soaked.
This next step is CRUTIAL to ensureing you have the air filter SEALED well to the mating surface of the housing.
I will install the prefilter, then give it a spin against the housing to smear the grease around 100% of the mating surfaces. Then remove the prefilter and apply a bit more grease if needed. then re install on the housing and give just a small wiggle once seated to be sure the filter mates and seals to the pre fitler housing.
Yup, GREASE. I use the same grease I use on all my bearings. High Temp Red Grease from a company called MASTIK. I buy it at the local Tractor Supply for 4.00 a pint. Great Grease, and inexpensive as its Agriculteral grade grease.
as you can see, i apply a fairly thick coat around the mating end of the pre filter, then install it on the HPI Prifilter housing.
The grease is imparative to sealing the air filter to the housing. Without the grease to seal the two pieces together, dirt can AND WILL work it way between the inner pre filter and housing to inside, and go stright thru the carb and into the motor.
i then install this newly ready to use setup on the carb. install the retaining rings and clamp to the carb manifold. Then the Redneck (cleaned and dry) then the end cap and clip, and finially the Outerwares.
Now you have what has come to be considered one of the BEST Protected and Well Functioning Air filter setups.
I have used this setup and method in the Dirt, Sand, and Ice/Snow. In damp and sometimes even wet conditions, with mud and crap getting everywhere. I have run it in some of the Dryest conditons around, and have probably ran over 30 gallons of fuel thru various Bajas (it will work on any RC the filter can bolt to the carb on), using this exact setup and method of assembly, and it has NEVER Failed me.
So there it is. IMPO, the best onroad/offroad Airbound option for keeping your motor clean and free from ingestion.
