Paper or foam air filters??

Im on a finer filter now, and im on the same level-

I guess we'd better clean em up well then flog them off to the next blissfully ignorant bloke. On that note- anyone want to buy some hyclones?

I just put the info there because I thought some might find it interesting. It appears they have..... I have no opinion either way, and am happy that you're happy with foam. As for your other comments, I'll give them the answer they deserve - none.....

Thanks for your objective response Russel. You seem to have your back up or somthing, it was not a personal attack on you mate. Why do they deserve no answer? What, do you think?.. there is no merit in what I said? Do have some proof otherwise? Do you disagree?
If you have somthing constructive to say about the issue, let' hear it.

Apologies, perhaps bad choice of words. My point is that your initial response indicates that you want a debate on the subject, and I didn't, thus no need for a response.

However, since we're now having the discussion.....
I use Toyota paper filters, the ones for the factory turbo, since I have an aftermarket turbo and they fit in the housing. I haven't considered using the foam filters, because I haven't been sure of their effectiveness, which is more important for the engine than the dollar difference (IMO). The detail provided in the link, and some of the posts here, has not influenced me towards the foam filter, rather away from it. There are so many different types of foam filter, all claiming different things. The performance and longevity you get depends so much on how you use them and keep them maintained. The right one, used the right way, probably does a reasonable job, but so does paper. I happen to think paper is better, and I'm willing to accept any cost penalty over foam. I think it's really a personal preference issue, at the end of the day.

I change the paper filter as often as it needs it, and take advantage of the washability of the Toyota items to maximise life. How often depends on the conditions, where I am in the convoy, how far back I sit etc etc. I have no interest in sitting in someone else's dust cloud any more than I have to, so I don't.

How much off road work? I've been doing it actively for the last 15 years, all over the country, lots of different vehicles, sand islands, high country, desert etc. I grew up in western Queensland farming area where the only bitumen roads were in town. I think I have a reasonable background in the dust area, but there's lots of people out there who would claim more, rightly or wrongly....

Would a clean paper filter work better than a clean foam filter after 15K of off road work? Absolutely! - because objective tests like the one in the link demonstrate convincingly that good paper elements do a better job of dust extraction than foam filters. I might have cleaned it and replaced it a number of times, but that's a cost issue, not a performance one. Both systems require maintenance and replacement - you have to clean and reoil your foam filter, and eventually replace the foam element. I have to clean and replace the paper element. Would I have spent more? Of course, but that's my choice to go with that system.

If I was racing, or had some other specific application, a foam filter might make sense, but it doesn't.

Like I say, at the end of the day we all do what we think is right in terms of cost and performance. I fitted a DTS turbo, you might fit something else. I got Koni shocks, you might prefer OME. I use paper filters, you prefer K&N....

Russel, all valid points. I rote my origional reply in a hurry so perhaps my point was not made very clear.

If I were to use genuine toyota paper filters (have been quoted $95) I would certainally not be changing them every 5,000kms.
However using the foam filter I clean it every 5,000kms as it only takes 10 minutes to do(and its free). I'll even do it sooner if I think it's necessary.

My point was that these tests were conducted with a new paper filter vs a clean foam filter.

I would be interested to see tests conucted on a paper filter that's done 5000kms on the road vs a clean foam filter, if you get my drift.

But your absolutally correct, foam filters are higher maintence than paper but a lot cheaper for what I would consider to be very minimal difference in performance and it's all about personal choice.

Because they probally charge $1000 for a replacment paper one, would you want to miss out on that kind of spare parts revenue??

about 120 bucks mate 295000 dollar tractor. while we are stirring the pot with all the adr's on pollution you would have the engineers certificate to go with your foam filter wouldn't you.

Yeah just like I have an electicians license to change the retic box over at home, like that's going to happen.
Where's the link to some info on me needing an engineers cert? Never heard of such a requiment. It's not like paying more for parking is it???? It must be one of those stupid NSW regs hey?

Bob if you read the instructions that came with your uni it tells you that you should turn the filter around and check for dyness if the vehicle has not been used frequently.

Fair points, none of which change the fact that it's cheaper for average joe to use a foam filter and that most of those points you mention have very little do do with a 4wd that's used 75% in town and requires a cup full of turps and a couple of teaspoons of oil every 5000ks.