How can I be sure this is a genuine 3A racing air filter?

You'll forgive my mirth when I read the "I did the test using the K&N testing equipment", won't you?
Using the "tried & true" logic of some of this forums members, I find it extremely suspicious that a K&N Filter would show up as superior to other brands(when tested on a K&N Test Rig), don't you?:rofl::br:

 

i forgave you years ago . old timer .lol

but flow is flow, the rig itself was a universal test bench the test was done by me, myself and i . ( not second had information ) K&N wins hands down, by a lot .

it was an on/of type of deal . there was no change to the machine in anyway shape or form. this test was done for me and me only , now im just sharing my findings ( why would i lie to myself )

 

You're a Good Boy, sonny.
As for the "why would I lie to myself" remark, numerous persons on here "have themselves on", on a daily basis. So don't use that as a winning manoeuvre.
You can feel pleased with your K&N, I will continue to be happy with my 3A Racing item(it works better than my O2 Rush and it doesn't need oiling).:zlove:

 

i will keep that in mind .

thank you sir , have a great afternoon

 

so ive breifly read through this thread and im wondering to those recomending the bigger named brands apexi, k&n etc how do you come down to the conclusion that they are that much better than the lower named brands drift, 3a racing, etc... ?

are you just going purely by paying a high price for the product and a brand name on it so it must be good ? or do you have any information to go by in terms of flow/filtration ?

no its "not always" the case of you pay for wat you get kinda thing. bigger named brands pay alot in advertising costs and profit margins are a huge factor in selling their products...

 

That is a real good question Chad.

Firstly I think how the thread unfolded was about 3A's legendry status on the back of a single article when it is just another cheap air cleaner.

Prompting the OP to ask about "genuine" 3A air cleaners, probably any cheap air cleaner that looks similar was what some thought, including myself.

Are the others better ? well that is a good question, air cleaners are the original snake oil IMO when it comes to cars, if filtration is your goal the OEM paper filter is probably best, if a slight performance increase is your goal, take it out all together.

As I have stated in previous threads on air filters, I do not think that one filter medium can give you the holy grail of excellent filtering and excellent flow, there will be a compromise.

Something that is often dismissed in filtration is surface area, IMO one of the most important attributes.

Garrett FAQ

Nissan would of calculated would of calculated what air filter requirements were needed to allow suitable flow during a service interval at stock boost, they did all sorts of wonderful stuff for us.

Calculating surface area requires counting pleats and the depth of those pleats, and at some point take into account the flow.

The stock panel filters have in excess of 100 square inches by simple dimension, the 3A style air filter has less surface area and is unprotected from all air borne debris, causing them to catch far more airborne particles.

I truly believe for cars short of dual intake that a OEM panel changed at the appropriate interval is the best option to protect your car, for a small increase in flow K&N panels cleaned at the appropriate interval.

Intake noise is the only loss. Hektik factor -50

Why K&N ? probably no other reason than they make a panel to suit and are likely to have some sort of quality control. That is if you can be sure you are not buying a fake.

EDIT: Or a Fram, filtration specialists with quality control, if thats there only business hopefully they are good at it.

 

Absolutely on the money.:zlove:

 

Too add to this, one aspect has been the autosalon testing but another aspect is that no one who has purchased and using the 3A racing have complained about it. Both regarding flow or filteration. That experience is worthy of recommedation I would have thought?

 

I used the K&N panel filters with the stock airbox, bit pricey and worked alright. Moved on to the 3A and while I'll get roasted saying I noticed a difference it IS there, be it a slightly more "lively feel" which was unobtainable using the replacement panels. Not had any problems with the 3A. I enjoy removing, washing it and leaving it to dry, which I've only had to do once. No oiling needed.

I'm not saying its the best but I've no complaints. 3A pods are indeed cheap however do seem effective. Speaking from experience I'd purchase another.

 

I think Nissans recommendations are worthy.

Service interval of OEM panel filter 40,000 Km's.

Service interval of pod filter, far less.

Cost of a pair of Nissan panels $30 plus freight from CZP.
Cost of K&N panels (reusable) $100 delivered.

I can see where the cheap pod option sits, it has the worst service interval, the worst filtration* (by shear nature of its position), hektik points and its cheap, and to top it off a magazine article to tell you it is the best.

* Than an OEM air box.

 

is this the adaptor you need to use?

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...aptor-CALPA5-SFA5.aspx?pid=155261#Description

 

it sure beats this filter


however.... check this out... =( gotta get me a filter yoo

 

Comparing to stock panels leads to a whole other field of filtration elements, for instance,
as compared to

as compared to


all of the designs are factory items, granted that the millions of dollars spent or R&D on these designs werent for the benefit of performance but from a filtration point of view wouldnt they try to design something that would filter the air better, and as time goes on newer materials and designs reveal themselves. The point im trying to make is the nissan stock filter still uses the old paper? type filter, and I know that a few of the modern cars have changed to the design in the first pic, would that suggest that it is better in terms of filtration?
I personally couldnt care less about the brands of filters i would use whatever I could easily obtain, I remember years ago I put a generic brand pod on my corolla and it happened to fall off on the highway (obviously didnt secure it properly) but I used what i had on hand which happened to be some cotton rags and some cable ties, I figured it was better than nothing, so i layered a few rags over the end of the hose and cable tied them and was planning to get a new pod but that never eventuated so i was driving around with that as my air filter for years, until it died at the ripe old age of almost 400, 000 kms.

 

If used a proper filter you would have got 800,000km

 

this is definitely the right one.

94-98 wrx is the one.

also to confirm it:

http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308349

 

Personal experience is of no value on here(prove what you are falsely reporting, you sneaky bugger).:zlove::zlove:

 

genuine 3a filter

Dont think anybody has answered yet, yes that appears to be a genuine 3a filer, i have seen the red one in the ebay add. On someone else's car (they said it was3a) and it looked exactly the same.
If in doubt check out some other ebay sellers and compare the photo's, if most claiming to be a 3a look identical, awesome chance it's a 3a.
Also check out local autoshop bargain bins, never know they might have a 3a there.
The phone number has also been put up in this thread,call the australian distributor and see if they"ll send you one.:zlove:

 

google motoquipe ebay where i got mine and it came in the 3a box and looks like the real deal

 

At risk of sounding like a complete n00b, what is that?