Stillen Gen III Intake Filter Replacement
 

There are tons of threads on the Gen 3's, but the older threads didn't really have much info on alternative filters. I bought the Gen III's from a forum member and was wondering if anyone here is using filters other than the K&N's that come with the kit. The ones I have are still usable, but I figured I might as well intall new ones for some peace of mind. Maybe a dry type option like an AEM filter?

Your thoughts?

anyone?

Aem would be fine and I wouldn’t see why this would be an issue. Just as long as the dimensions of the filter are the same. I actually think that dry flow is the way to go. I don’t have the gen 3’s yet but if there filters aren’t dry flow that seems kinda out dated to me. Do you know if K&N make dry flow?

I believe the tube diameter is the same(need to double check), AEM's are shorter than the K&N's, so less surface area.

Original Part
K&N Part RU-2820 Product Specifications
Product Style: Round Straight Universal Air Filter
Filter Material: Cotton Gauze
Flange Inside Diameter: 3 in (76 mm)
Flange Length: 0.625 in (16 mm)
Flanges: 1
Flange Type: Centered
Height: 6.5 in (165 mm)
Outside Diameter: 5 in (127 mm)

I just looked this up. The AEM's are shorter, but it looks like the outside diameter is larger. I could also go with a longer one, but the next size up is 8" long.

AEM 21-203DK Product Specifications
Product Style: AEM Dryflow Round Tapered Air Filter
Base Outside Diameter: 6 in (152 mm)
Flange Inside Diameter: 3 in (76 mm)
Flange Length: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Flange Type: Centered
Height: 5.125 in (130 mm)
Inner Structural Support: No
Top Outside Diameter: 5.125 in (130 mm)
Top Style: Rubber
Top Material/Finish: None
Flanges: 1
Filter Material: Non-woven Synthetic

..or

AEM 21-2038BF Product Specifications
Product Style: AEM Dryflow Round Tapered Air Filter
Base Outside Diameter: 6 in (152 mm)
Flange Inside Diameter: 3 in (76 mm)
Flange Length: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Flange Type: Centered
Height: 8.125 in (206 mm)
Inner Structural Support: Yes
Top Outside Diameter: 5.125 in (130 mm)
Top Style: Rubber
Top Material/Finish: None
Flanges: 1
Filter Material: Non-woven Synthetic

Are other options like Apexi or HKS still any good?

AEM's short filters work fine, they use it in their CAI for this car. Though I would say that you would be receiving more flow with the 8 inch filters as they have more surface area. Less cleaning intervals as well.

or you can buy the aem filter cover.

AEM 1-4001 Dry Flow Air Filter Wrap : Amazon.com : Automotive

I use it on my spec and it works nice.

Hmm...I gotta check out how much room I have if I go with the 8". It looks like the flange is a bit longer on the AEM.

Doesn't that add restriction?

how often should you swap out filters??

The gen 3 u use a k&n cleaning kit......

Read OP, he wants to replace the stock K&Ns for a dry media.

I would buy a k&n recharge kit first, clean them and see before switching to a dry filter...... defeats the purpose to have a washable filter and not use it no?

If not go with any similar size dry filter, but you do not wanna go with a larger outer diameter as it will not fit without hacking it up, the stock K&N filter is already pretty tight.

I talked to someone at Stillen and they recommend a dry type AEM I can use. I do have the recharge kit and actually have K&N drop ins in the car. I just bought the Gen 3's used and one of the filter had some light damage to it. Like I said, it's still usable, but I'd rather replace them, spend the extra $70 and and still save some cash from buying a brand new kit. I'll probably sell the K&N's if someone wants them.

For those interested, the filter Stillen recommended is:

AEM dry filter:21-203BF

cool thanks!

No Problem. I was told that Stillen might be announcing a dry filter option soon. To answer your previous question, the K&N's that come with the kit should last the life of the car as long as it's not damaged and cleaned correctly. You don't really have to replace them otherwise. They aren't that expensive either and would probably equal the cost of disposible filters after 30k miles of use. It's easy to detroy the cotton filter element when you're cleaning them. Getting it oiled correctly is also kind of annoying. With the dry type, it's pretty much just spray solution, rinse and let dry every 50,000 miles.

Has anyone tried the AEM 21-203BF dry filter yet? I would like to know how it fits and performs. Any pics if installed?

I have the filters on hand but haven't had the chance to install the Gen 3's. I bought them used and has to look for PCV tubes. I've just been so busy lately and need to dedicate a day for this.

I ended up buying those 21-203bf filters, but after test fitting them I decided to just clean/oil and reuse my k&n's. There is a little black bar/brace/support that is directly above the filters (at least in nismos) that has a few screws in it, and it holds some kind of wire looking thing. I took it off to better access the filters, and when the AEM dryflows were installed, due to the thickness of the bottom part of the filter, the bar would not go back on.

It is probably fine to leave that support piece off, but I didn't feel taking it off and resecuring the wire thing.


Comparison shot:
Attachment 62133

One of each installed:
Attachment 62129

both dry flows installed:
Attachment 62130

Here you can see it coming in contact with the support bar:
Attachment 62132

Thanks for the pic Nismonster. Ya the dry flows seem like a bust. Off the bat they are not the right size. The rep that stated they where that told Cmike2780 was incorrect. What needs to happen if somebody wants to replace the filters in measure the dimensions and have them custom made by Aem with dry flow element.

Awww man! wtf Stillen! I have these sitting in the garage and have been waiting for a warm weekend.

Will it fit if I trim that brace thing a bit? or is it a total bust? It looks like it almost fits if I trim the area where the bottom of the filter touches the brace. That brace clips some of the bumper and I wouldn't want to leave it off either.

dammit!

Haha, yeah I really wanted it on as well. Honestly, i think if you did push hard enough to get the bar back on (probably over 1" of compression) the filter could potentially break since you would be kind of oval-ing out the bottom, if that makes sense. I wouldn't want to leave a squished up filter on there for 6 months anyways.

I honestly do not believe you could get the support back on with these particular dry flow filters....it is possible maybe if you could somehow raise/cut out the middle of the support on both sides, but not sure.

I think AEM has a plethora of different dry flow filters, and as was mentioned before the best bet may be to contact AEM directly and try for another filter that matches the stock G3 k&n's a little more accurately....

I actually called Stillen and talked to a rep about switching to these dry flows, and this is the exact filter he recommended (i could have bought directly from them, but not nearly as cheap as amazon). Not sure why they are recommending that to customers if it doesn't fit properly, but maybe they removed the support on their test vehicle.

Yeah...that blows. Kyle Millen was the one that recommended that part number to me. Guess I'll try to sell these.

This filter looks like it might fit.

http://www.aemintakes.com/store/prod...od=21-203BF-OS

It fits!!
http://www.the370z.com/members/bumbl...829-180429.jpg

I have a couple of slightly used filters just like these.. the AEM Dry flow units...

Anyone wants them, shoot me a PM...

Wait, wut? Are those the 21-203bf filters? Did you have to trim anything?

Its 21-203bf os. Dont need to trim at all :) I think it fits better than k&n tho

Good to know the filter i thought would fit did fit. Thanks!

The green filters also fit. They use them on those titanium gen III looking intakes

This AEM Dryflow is the exact same size/dimensions as the standard K&N filter:

21-2036DK - AEM Universal Air Filters, AEM DryFlow Air Filter direct from AEM

It's great that Stillen now offers the dry filter replacement and also the dry filter options for the G3!

Thank you! Only $27 a piece, I just placed an order for two plus a bottle of dry filter cleaner :tiphat:

Just ordered two of these to replace my Gen 3 oiled filters.
Amazon.com: AEM 21-2036DK DryFlow Air Filter: Automotive
My 2010 Nismo just hit 20K miles. Time for a change.

Bringing this from the dead after I searched this topic.

I just wanted to confirm and Thank You guys for the info for these replacement filters.

$29 for the pair is hard to beat and the funny thing about this is they are from K&N :icon17:

I installed these and the fit are just the same the K&N oiled filters that originally come with the Stillen's.

If you guys need to get your filters replaced? Move to the AEM's version for half the cost.

****...you just reminded me its time I need to swap out my filters!

Replacement for KN
 

Just to confirm, the amazon ink is 2 filters for $30?

Single. You'd need two in the basket.