How to remove Stillen Gen 2 air filter for cleaning?

[SteveK]

One of the previous owners of my 2014 Coupe installed a Stillen Gen 2 air intake kit. I'm trying to pull the filters out to see if they need cleaning, but it's proving difficult to get a socket on the pipe clamp that holds the filter to the stainless steel tube. The urethane intake box that surrounds the filter is blocking my access to the pipe clamp, but even if I manage to loosen the clamp, there is no room to pull the filter away from the pipe because the radiator is in the way. Do I need to pull both the filter and stainless pipes out as a unit the same way it was installed?

Also, how often do these typically need cleaning? My car has 25K miles on it and probably hasn't been driven thru many sand storms.

Lastly, is there an easy way to identify if the filter is dry or oiled? If I rub the filter pleats, will I feel oil on my fingers?

Thanks!

20170610_150835.jpg