Thoughts on different Air filter than OEM?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 178
Likes: 9
Thoughts on different Air filter than OEM?
Was wondering if you guys have an opinion on a different air filter or is stock the way to go? I know K&N filters dont do the best job filtering dust and other particles, just wondering what your guys opinion is or if theres a different one thats better, i know some vehicles have an aftermarket one that has a piece of foam on top of the filter for better filtration. Any help would be awesome, thanks!
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 920
From: wa
Was wondering if you guys have an opinion on a different air filter or is stock the way to go? I know K&N filters dont do the best job filtering dust and other particles, just wondering what your guys opinion is or if theres a different one thats better, i know some vehicles have an aftermarket one that has a piece of foam on top of the filter for better filtration. Any help would be awesome, thanks!
Another thing - if you have compressed air or it’s not terribly dirty - blow it clean and re-insert. It’s not like an oil filter in a very harsh environment. Also, and this is poorly understood - a little bit of extra dirt in it IMPROVES filtration, not hinder it. True. Don’t be overly pedantic about air filters. Check them, but don’t toss them automatically.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 920
From: wa
Can you send some links so we can get on board?.
Last edited by DaveGS4; Jul 17, 2025 at 03:01 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 256
Likes: 63
From: Australia
Here's one:
Pods are also illegal in some places, like the state of New South Wales Australia where the above video was made, which is where I live.
I understand that this approach is in place in various places worldwide.
Pod Filters Mythbusted
Pod Filters in the bin @10.20
I understand that this approach is in place in various places worldwide.
Last edited by Leadfoot6; Jul 17, 2025 at 01:07 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 256
Likes: 63
From: Australia
Here are some comments from another 430(3rd gen) thread titled:
Cold Air Intake vs K&N High Flow Air Filter
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ir-filter.html
Cold Air Intake vs K&N High Flow Air Filter
I seriously doubt that any filter that will fit in the OEM airbox can actually deliver increased airflow without decreasing the filters ability to filter the air as well as the OEM.
Tons of controversy re oiled filter elements, not just K&N, wreaking havoc on mass air flow sensors. Usually it's attributed to over oiling but there's a fine line between over and under oiling the element. Those claims may or may not be accurate but the small amount of HP increase isn't worth the trouble IMO. If you're looking for more horsepower from a 4 door sedan an air filter isn't going to do much. Google the JBrady intake mod which became popular for late 90's LS400 owners. Something like that might be a good place to start since it's FREE...u
Im in cali so a cai is illegal to have, so i resorted to the K&N. First drive put it in sport turn power mode on drop it down to 3rd did a pull till 4k acceleration is a noticeably faster i also have 3rd cat delete resenator delete with 2 dirft dialects cananon ball mufflers im haappy with this $45 purchase CAI is a waste for this car in my opinion
Pulling air from inside the engine bay is definitely going to sending warmer air inside the engine than pulling air from the front of the grille. I don't understand why people think engine bay air is better than fresh cold air from the front of the car. K&N is also highly controversial and not worth the risk, you can easily Google their problems.
Also, by using these aftermarket air intake products, you are saying that the Lexus engine design engineers did not do extremely sophisticated engineering (CAD/CAM/FEA/computational fluid dynamics/etc) to create one of the most efficient V8 engines ever made. It is widely reported that Toyota spent one billion US dollars in R&D to develop the LS430 and 3UZ-FE. However, if the Lexus engineers overlooked something, surely these aftermarket manufacturers can prove lower air intake temperature, enhanced fuel economy, and enhanced power output with a simple before and after readout from TechStream's live ECT screen. You can do this comparison yourself with a $30 USB cable and a laptop.
Since it's been many years and no one has posted up such proof, this should be your clue that these aftermarket intakes don't do anything. Now, if Toyota Racing Division or TOMS designed a special intake, that may be worth considering, depending on the other components required to maximize the benefits of such intakes (e.g. forced induction).
Also, by using these aftermarket air intake products, you are saying that the Lexus engine design engineers did not do extremely sophisticated engineering (CAD/CAM/FEA/computational fluid dynamics/etc) to create one of the most efficient V8 engines ever made. It is widely reported that Toyota spent one billion US dollars in R&D to develop the LS430 and 3UZ-FE. However, if the Lexus engineers overlooked something, surely these aftermarket manufacturers can prove lower air intake temperature, enhanced fuel economy, and enhanced power output with a simple before and after readout from TechStream's live ECT screen. You can do this comparison yourself with a $30 USB cable and a laptop.
Since it's been many years and no one has posted up such proof, this should be your clue that these aftermarket intakes don't do anything. Now, if Toyota Racing Division or TOMS designed a special intake, that may be worth considering, depending on the other components required to maximize the benefits of such intakes (e.g. forced induction).
Trending Topics
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,737
From: North Carolina
Keep this discussion polite and mature or do not post. Keep this on the filters and not the people posting in the thread.
I’m editing or removing some of the rude or personal comments in previous posts, do not repeat please
I’m editing or removing some of the rude or personal comments in previous posts, do not repeat please
Last edited by DaveGS4; Jul 17, 2025 at 03:03 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post