Deciding between Napa Gold/Wix and DENSO OE

[ltslimjim]

So, in one corner is the aftermarket and in the other is the OE.

I've narrowed my choice for the Civic's next air filter down to Napa Gold/Wix(aftermarket) or Denso. If you had to pick; which? Trying to stay away from the marketed 're-usable' air filters currently(getting away from K&N). I'm investing less in one of these two in order to see if Silicon levels drop in subsequent used oil analysis.

NG/Wix($15.89):

Denso($21.79), dealer price may vary and not sure if it's still Denso:

 

[chubbs1]

1 Vote for Denso. But actually the Wix is really good for that model so don't be disappointed in either choice.

 

[river_rat]

I bet they both come off the same Chinese or Korean assembly line.

 

[ltslimjim]

^Ha, probably so. I wonder if that is what the Honda dealer would have for this vehicle(Denso that is)?

The Wix/NG are cheaper, so I'll go that route and see if Silicon numbers trend any.

 

[EricF]

mix it up a bit.. go with the Denso this time.. and next time the Wix.

 

[OldCowboy]

Take the NG/Wix. That green is a lot prettier than the grey.

 

[wallyuwl]

NG/Wix. Paper air filters from the major brands are not very different. Go with the cheaper one.

 

[ltslimjim]

All this had me wondering something. If the VOA shows the AZO I'm running now to contain around 5 ppm of Silicon(noise or additive?), and considering most UOA for PCMO typically flags 20ppm or so as the threshold to be concerned about, is that with the assumption that the 20 ppm is from abrasive dirt only?

The Civic had 12 ppm of Si; for example, after 2,750 miles on it's most recent OCI, this following 18 ppm Si for the previous 5,100 mile OCI before that. So, I'm not in the danger zone, but sorta annoyed. If I extend to 10,000 miles and it shows up in the 30s/40s for Si, etc? It just seems like if that were to occur the K&N for my app(drop in replacement) simply isn't best suited for the extended intervals if actual dirt is entering and not being removed for a longer time than a traditional 3,000 mile OCI.

 

[R2d2]

I'd take the one the has the best fit/seal. I've used Napa/gold in the past and didn't like the air box seal on my civic. I'd personally go OEM whatever brand that is, I doubt it's denso however. The OEM on my Accord and my Civic was not.

 

[ltslimjim]

^I'm curious to see how much the dealer asks for their own(whomever makes the part they hand over), and if they'd allow me to inspect it prior to purchase. OTOH, I'd be really disappointed if the NG/Wix failed to seat right in the box.

http://www.densoproducts.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=1168613&pid=13997

Denso's product description, sounds like what you could say for any air filter really:

Quote:

MULTI-LAYER DESIGN Captures dirt particles of multiple sizes.
HIGH AIRFLOW RATE Improves performance and fuel economy.
SUPERIOR DUST HOLDING CAPACITY Increases filter life.
MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY Reduces engine wear.

 

[Virtuoso]

+1 for the Napa Gold.

 

[JDD]

I personally think Denso air filters are very good. They fit well, and I've never bought one that didn't look good and were all put together well. I like their media as well. Sort of has that fluffy OEM look of the original filter the car came with new.