Pipercross Filter

[zriha]

In almost all my cars, from Miata to Mini and girlfriends Fiat 500, I had a Pipercross air filter. The reason was more simpler than performance - I can clean it every one year and put it back.

In terms of performance, for a small 1.2 69 HP Fiat 500 engine, it gave more air, which means more throttle response, the car was more responsive, especially on low RPM as small 1.2 have the struggle to gain speed and torque.

On Z4, not so much difference, well, I would say, maybe, that it has a better throttle response, but when I hit the S button, well, the response is the best.

Regarding not protecting the engine, well, my untrained and uneducated eye when looking the OEM paper filter vs Pipercross filter tells that the Pipercross filter has better materials that can stop any kind of damaging particles to the engine, as paper one, well, it's just plain paper.

Sound? Honestly, I don't know as the previous owner retrofitted the sound generator, so it has great intake sound.

Photos:

 

[Mike6]

The one I have just fitted to my 1 series does seem to make car more responsive but not done any high speeds. On a brighter side I am sure the pipercross filter is lighter than the stock paper one so that should add significantly to weight reduction and therefore performance.!!!!

 

[enuff_zed]

Regarding not protecting the engine, well, my untrained and uneducated eye when looking the OEM paper filter vs Pipercross filter tells that the Pipercross filter has better materials that can stop any kind of damaging particles to the engine, as paper one, well, it's just plain paper.

I was under the impression that the issue was not so much damaging the engine, but upsetting the MAF, as oiled filters can spread oil onto the sensor.
I am not sure (never had one) whether the pipercross filter is oiled or dry?
Also it seems the issue is more likely to occur when an owner cleans and re-oils the filter too liberally.

Sound? Honestly, I don't know as the previous owner retrofitted the sound generator, so it has great intake sound.

And this bears out my advice based on my original assumption that the OP was looking for better sound rather than any small improvement in performance.

 

[zriha]

I was under the impression that the issue was not so much damaging the engine, but upsetting the MAF, as oiled filters can spread oil onto the sensor.
I am not sure (never had one) whether the pipercross filter is oiled or dry?
Also it seems the issue is more likely to occur when an owner cleans and re-oils the filter too liberally.

Well, it is oiled, but not as much as I saw on other ones, and good thing is that when you clean it, you apply oil, so you don't have to oil it so much.

When I clean Pipercross I put it under compressed air, put a chemical that cleans it and a little bit of oil.

The one I have just fitted to my 1 series does seem to make car more responsive but not done any high speeds. On a brighter side I am sure the pipercross filter is lighter than the stock paper one so that should add significantly to weight reduction and therefore performance.!!!!

I would add, significant weight reduction

 

[brillomaster]

i'm pretty sure the K&N oiled filter causing problems with oil getting on the MAF is just a myth. K&N themselves went to great lengths over a decade ago to dispel the myth.

https://www.knfilters.com/maf/massair.htm

And to add my tuppence regarding performance air filters - the standard paper filter is the most restrictive, because it does the most filtration of particles getting into the engine. performance filters offer potentially greater air flow, but at the expense of filtration - which, depending on your climate and driving conditions may or may not be a problem. I think for certain owners driving in very dry and dusty conditions do not skimp on filtration, but in the UK where dust levels are low you can probably get away with less filtration.

indeed i remember on a track car i once had that 'accidentally' had the hose disconnected after the air box, and just before the MAF - funnily enough, with zero filtration it had excellent throttle response, and made a great noise!