Comparing and Contrasting Dry and Oiled Air Intakes for a 2002 Ford F-250, F-350 Super Duty

Expert Reply:

The benefit of a dry filter system, like the aFe Direct Fit Cold Air Intake System with Pro Dry S Filter, # AFE51-10192, is that it is good for both paved and semi-dusty roads. The oil-based filters, like in the aFe Direct Fit Cold Air Intake System with Pro 5R Oil-Based Filter, # AFE54-10192, are best suited for paved roads and are not recommended for more dusty conditions like you might find on gravel roads.

The dry filter has slightly higher filtration at 99.2 percent than the 98.6 percent from the oiled filter. On the other hand, the oiled filter allows for a 200 percent gain in air flow, while the dry filter allows for 191 percent.

The oil on a filter like the Pro 5R is used to attract finer dust and debris. The oiled filter is more porous to allow better airflow. In order to keep the filtration number up, oil is added to grab particles that would normally float through a filter as open as the Pro 5R.

I recommend the aFe Direct Fit Cold Air Intake System with Pro Dry S Filter, # AFE51-10192, because it provides a good balance of protection and performance. I have included a link to the installation details below. You might also be interested in a pre-filter, like # AFE28-10041, for even more protection. I also recommend the special cleaning agents, # AFE90-59999, that were designed specifically to clean the materials that make up the dry filter.

expert reply by: Michael H