Accel Kool Blue Air Filter - Pics and First Impressions

[ROCKET62]

As a "Hibernating Viper" owner getting the snake ready for spring - I decided it was time to replace the K & N filters that have been in for about 2 years. I know - they're reuseable - but after trying to pick out the bugs and debris - I decided to just replace them.

After seeing an advertisement for the Accel Kool Blue filters on one of the Saturday hot rod shows - (the hot female is what really caught my eye) I decided to research them. It also concerned me from a previous post here discussing air filters and oil analysis that more silica was showing up in the oil when using the K & N air filters as compared to stock.

From the Mr. Gasket Kool Blue site: "Kool Blue filters feature a unique construction in which computerized precision layering of cotton produces highly consistent filtration rates for superior performance. They have been tested to the highest standards and certified at 99% efficient, while stopping particles as small as <font color="blue"> 2.8 microns </font> resulting in a significant reduction in engine wear. ACCEL Kool Blue filters advanced construction also utilizes a highly flexible advanced rubber compound, which provides better sealing and more surface area for maximum filtration and ultimate performance."

Ordered a pair from Summit Racing - ACC-KP3013 for $31.95 each. Below are the pictures. My initial thoughts - fitament seems a little better than K &amp; N - rubber outer edge is smaller - but uses a softer, sticky feeling rubber for the seal. Quality looks good and price was right (less than K &amp; N from Partsrack).

Now - IF ONLY SPRING WOULD ARRIVE - just got an inch of snow this morning here in Iowa.
Accel Left - K &amp; N Right

K&amp;N, Accel, Stock Air Filter

 

[Shelby3]

I like the fact that the folds are vertical rather than the K&amp;N horizontal setup. Like the S&amp;B's they would seem less prone to sagging.

 

[GoldenVenom]

Is the K&amp;N better because it is a litte bit taller and has more surface area (horizontal setup) to filter the dirty air? I am no expert but it is just my observation.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Is the K&amp;N better because it is a litte bit taller and has more surface area (horizontal setup) to filter the dirty air? I am no expert but it is just my observation.

Optical illusion

 

[carguy07]

I like the fact that the blue ones don't have rubber covering the first inch on the sides.

Is the surface area the same either way for the pleats??

 

[01sapphireGTS]

I want to jump in on the "I don't like the K&amp;N construction either", and have wanted to make a change. Who recommends, what ? S&amp;B or the new Accel Blues ?

GoldenVenom: The extra height of the K&amp;N should be better ( increased air surface ) but the problem is that the folds will end up laying against the next fold, thus actually blocking the available filtration area. Less air = less HP. The new Blue filter seems to be better thought out. As long as they flow enough air...

Rocket62: It snowed here yesturday also. STILL WAITING ! Cruising season often doesn't start until May.

Anxious for feedback !

 

[01sapphireGTS]

BTW Rocket62: Thanks for the great pics ! ! A quality thread !

 

[ROCKET62]

S&amp;B and the Accel look very similar in design. Accel/Mr. Gasket seem to build quality products - so I feel pretty confident in their air filter - and as stated above - they were less $ than the K&amp;N's or S&amp;B's. For me it was an easier decision since I was using Summit to order some other things for the custom 3" exhaust I'm building. It worked out good for me that Summit had to order the Accel filters as this keeps an "open" order on the computer so that I could add additional items without having to pay the $8 order fee each time I need to add something else.

I guess in theory, the K&amp;N's would have a larger surface area - but since the fins are so close together - and the channels get all clogged up with bugs and other stuff, it would seem that advantage would disappear quite quickly.

I could not find anywhere on the K&amp;N site that stated how small a particle their filters would trap - whereas Accel stated they can filter to as small as 2.8 microns.

 

[STUGOTS]

I have NO expirence with the cool blue however I think S&amp;B are a HELL of alot better then K&amp;N

 

[Randy]

I have NO expirence with the cool blue however I think S&amp;B are a HELL of alot better then K&amp;N

Lots of speculation and (somewhat useless) opinion going on here, any real facts? I've never tried the blue ones, but I put a set of K&amp;N's on my car while it was sitting on the dyno, between two runs, and gained 11 hp what looked to be along the whole curve (the 11 hp was the difference in the peak numbers). Of course, this doesn't address the relative filtration abilities, which is much hard to measure.

So, who's going to put a set on between dyno runs (while the car is still strapped down, and fast enough that none of the other variables have a chance to change appreciably) and report the results?

 

[01sapphireGTS]

I worked at Summit for almost 8 years, I think I'll grab a pair at cost and try them also... Can't post till spring though, sorry.

 

[ROCKET62]

So, who's going to put a set on between dyno runs (while the car is still strapped down, and fast enough that none of the other variables have a chance to change appreciably) and report the results?

I would guess that the flow rates and hp gains would be almost identical between K&amp;N, S&amp;B, and Accel as they use similar materials and are similar in design and flow rates. The more important issue in my opinion would be if there is an appreciable difference in filtration. I tried searching for the previous post I mentioned that discussed air filters and an oil analysis that showed more silicon in the oil when using the K&amp;N's as compared to stock filters.

I also did lose a few of the air box clips with the K&amp;N filters - and while I can't comment on the Accel filters - the fit does seem to be better than the K&amp;N's.

 

[01sapphireGTS]

I thought that K&amp;N flowed the most air and filtered the least dirt. There was a time when they were not recommended for turbo applications because of particle contamination. Per their rep, turbo deisel trucks were a bad application, although it seems to be "fine now".

I still think the Blues look the best from the pics. I will look at one in person soon...

 

[STUGOTS]

I have NO expirence with the cool blue however I think S&amp;B are a HELL of alot better then K&amp;N

Lots of speculation and (somewhat useless) opinion going on here, any real facts? I've never tried the blue ones, but I put a set of K&amp;N's on my car while it was sitting on the dyno, between two runs, and gained 11 hp what looked to be along the whole curve (the 11 hp was the difference in the peak numbers). Of course, this doesn't address the relative filtration abilities, which is much hard to measure.

So, who's going to put a set on between dyno runs (while the car is still strapped down, and fast enough that none of the other variables have a chance to change appreciably) and report the results?

While I did NOT dyno before and after I DID however but both in front of a high powerd air compressor and there was VERY noticable diffrence(like day and night actually) just by putting my hand on the other side and I had about 5 friends also come try it and they knew nothing about either filter or vipers for that matter. This is just by human touch im sure real flow tests would show a great diffrence.

 

[GTS Bruce]

Ok!So which are you talking about and which one flowed more in front of that air compressor? GTS Bruce

 

[STUGOTS]

the S&amp;B flowed alot better hands down

 

[00prowler]

You might as well get a VIPAIR too...00PROWLER...

 

[Randy]

the S&amp;B flowed alot better hands down

So, any reliable information about their filtration abilities?

I mean, there's a reason you want a filter on your incoming air supply...

 

[STUGOTS]

You might as well get a VIPAIR too...00PROWLER...

Actually I do have one lol

Looks cool

 

[Ron]

From my 06/15/02 post:

"With nothing more than an OEM to K&amp;N filter change, I picked up 11.94HP and 9.45 ft lbs of torque."

From and old Jerry Scott post on filter test details:

http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm