AEM DryFlow Air Filter

[Snipeston]

I recently bought a AEM Dryflow Synthetic Air Filter. There is a metal seam connecting the cone that says K&N on it and the filter feels oily. The endcap says AEM Dryflow. It is one of their red filters not the grey one. What gives? Is this really a DryFlow filter or one that needs to be oiled?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Danh]

That is a dry flow filter and should not be oiled. AEM's dry-flow filters used to be grey, but became red after they were acquired by K&N. Despite the color change, they are still a dry filter.

 

[Jim Allen]

AEM changed the media and little and added wire reinforcement, which changed the pleating a little to improve airflow. It's a better filter than the previous generation and should NOT be oiled. While K&N recently moved in together under the same corporate ownership, thus far they are keeping the lines separate. K&N has a great R&D department, so AEM will be able to benefit from that immensely. Conversely, AEM has some expertise in certain areas that is changing K&N's outlook as well.

 

[Snipeston]

Just caught me off guard that the whole filter unit felt oily to the touch. I had heard about K&N and AEM merging and that AEM had previously used K&N and branded them as their own. Wanted a dry filter cause I hate the oil type and wanted to make sure I had what I paid for.

 

[dparm]

Just wondering why you went for one of these over an OEM-style paper filter?

 

[Snipeston]

Got it on clearance for $15, so I figured why not?

 

[Jim Allen]

Originally Posted By: Snipeston
Just caught me off guard that the whole filter unit felt oily to the touch. I had heard about K&N and AEM merging and that AEM had previously used K&N and branded them as their own. Wanted a dry filter cause I hate the oil type and wanted to make sure I had what I paid for.


Responding to highlighed section:

If AEM was rebranding K&Ns, that's news to me... and I've dealt extensively with both companies. The way AEM badmouthed oil cotton gauze filters in advertising before the merger, I can't see them EVER putting their name on one. If you can prove this, I will be most grateful for the correction but thoroughly gobsmacked.

Today is a different ballgame, of course, but, as I said, thus far they are maintaing the two brands as separate entities. The most noticeable change is that some of the K&N-bashing material has been removed from the website, including some testing that didn't show oiled cotton gauze in a great light when tested with fine dust.

 

[HTSS_TR]

AEM DryFlow Air Filter was 1 of the best cleanable/reusable filter, from the OP observation I think AFE ProDry filter is safer now.

 

[ltslimjim]

^Loving my aFe Pro Dry S.

 

[rrounds]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Just wondering why you went for one of these over an OEM-style paper filter?

Because when the AEM gets dirty, you wash it, dry it and reuse it instead of throwing it away. Saves you money.

ROD