Picked up a high flow air filter for my ride. Hoping it improves airflow and maybe even changes the engine sound a bit. Curious if anyone else has tried something like this.
Gauze filters are known to be worse than paper ones for turbo engines… but hey, your money, your choice.
Ah yes, the classic wallet-lightening mod.
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Your stock air filter already lets in more than enough air. If it didn’t, you wouldn’t be able to flash tune for more horsepower, because the engine would be too restricted to pull in the extra air needed.
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The only way aftermarket filters claim to be less restrictive (if true) is by letting more dirt through. Look at your picture—how is that smaller filter surface supposed to provide better airflow and the same level of filtration? To increase airflow without losing filtration, you’d need more surface area, not less.
And don’t forget, Ford is known for denying warranty claims if you use aftermarket reusable air filters, especially for issues with the turbo. They once rejected almost all diesel warranty fixes for vehicles with reusable filters.
TLDR: Aftermarket air filters are mostly a waste of money and might void your warranty.
@Frost
What do you think about larger aftermarket filters from brands like Roush or Corsa? They claim to have more surface area.
Vanya said:
@Frost
What do you think about larger aftermarket filters from brands like Roush or Corsa? They claim to have more surface area.
But what’s the point of a bigger filter? Unless you’re massively increasing airflow, the stock filter already handles more than enough. Swapping it out won’t do much unless your OEM filter is genuinely restrictive. If that’s the case, you’d be better off adding a second intake.
@Frost
The Roush filter comes with a pre-filter mesh and supposedly has 30% more surface area. Just wondering if that combo allows better airflow without sacrificing filtration, or if it ends up performing the same as the stock filter.
@Vanya
But why bother? The stock filter already provides all the airflow you need. Even if the new filter can let more air through, your engine won’t magically start sucking in more air just because you swapped it.
Threshold covers are totally worth it.
Jordan said:
Threshold covers are totally worth it.
I even put PPF film on mine… kinda obsessive, I know.
Jordan said:
Threshold covers are totally worth it.
I even put PPF film on mine… kinda obsessive, I know.
Why didn’t I think of that?
Shan said:
Jordan said:
Threshold covers are totally worth it.
I even put PPF film on mine… kinda obsessive, I know.
Why didn’t I think of that?
It takes a team effort.
@Shan
That’s actually a smart idea 
What’s this filter supposed to do that the OEM one doesn’t? I just swapped my OEM filter after 13k miles. It was full of dirt and leaves. Felt like I got 20 more horsepower after replacing it.
Joss said:
What’s this filter supposed to do that the OEM one doesn’t? I just swapped my OEM filter after 13k miles. It was full of dirt and leaves. Felt like I got 20 more horsepower after replacing it.
Nothing special. Stick with high-quality replaceable filters that your car was designed for.
Edit: By replaceable, I mean OEM-approved filters. High-flow reusable ones are unnecessary.
Joss said:
What’s this filter supposed to do that the OEM one doesn’t? I just swapped my OEM filter after 13k miles. It was full of dirt and leaves. Felt like I got 20 more horsepower after replacing it.
Honestly, the OEM felt like breathing through a straw. This BMC filter is reusable and can be cleaned, plus it gives better sound under the hood. You might even hear the turbos more. Don’t get the K&N one though—it’s lower quality and doesn’t fit as well.
@Shan
I’m hesitant to move away from OEM since I want my car to last over 250k miles. Also heard that aftermarket filters don’t filter as well, especially K&N. Never heard of BMC before.
Joss said:
@Shan
I’m hesitant to move away from OEM since I want my car to last over 250k miles. Also heard that aftermarket filters don’t filter as well, especially K&N. Never heard of BMC before.
Reusable filters are known to cause engine damage over time, especially in dusty conditions or off-road driving.
@Frost
I’m not really a car expert, but I’ve been thinking about getting a K&N filter for my 2024 Bronco with the 2.7L engine.
For context, my last car was a 2013 Ford Edge. Bought it used in 2016 with about 20k miles and installed a K&N filter. Drove it until 2023 when it got totaled in an accident (rear-ended at 70 mph). It had 245k miles and was running perfectly.
I was diligent about cleaning the filter and changed the spark plugs every 60k miles. Also flushed or replaced the transmission fluid every 30k miles.
I could usually tell when things were dirty because the engine needed more RPMs to hit speed.
So… is it really a bad idea to switch to a reusable filter?
@Luca
Honestly, no benefit at all. Just replace the filter at regular intervals using Motorcraft parts.
Reusable filters tend to allow more dust to pass through, which can damage your engine over time, especially if you drive in dusty areas or off-road.
There’s no upside to using them, but there’s definitely a higher risk of engine damage and even getting warranty claims denied. Ford was known to deny diesel engine claims instantly if a reusable filter was installed. The key to keeping a turbocharged engine running well is clean air and timely oil changes.
@Frost
Thanks for the info. I wish the Bronco had a diesel option. I had a diesel Focus when I lived in Europe and loved it.