The Spec Racer Ford Gen3 uses a cleanable and reusable air filter. It can get filthy after a couple of weekends of track sessions. How dirty it is depends on how many off track excursions you or the competitor in front has. It is always good to check the cleanliness of the air filter before a race weekend as the air filter can take a little time to dry.
Parts and Tools Needed
Gen3 Air Filter - Enterprise PN: WM301020
Large Screwdriver (dzus fasteners)
Nut driver or flat blade screwdriver
Soft bristle brush
Water
Air filter cleaner / degreaser
Air filter oil
Airaid 790-551 Filter Clean and Renew Kit - Oil Aerosol
Airaid 790-550 Filter Clean and Renew Kit - Oil Bottle
Servicing the Air Filter
The Spec Racer Ford Gen3 air filter box is located in front of the left rear wheel. It is fed by a snorkel in the center section body work.
The air filter box cover can be easily removed with a large profile screwdriver to undo the Dzus fastener.
Inside the air box you will find an Airaid pod filter that is held in place over the throttle body feed tubing with a large hose clamp. Inspect the filter and if it looks clean you are probably fine. If have dirt or oily build up it might be time to service.
Use a nut driver or flat blade screwdriver to undo the large hose clamp. Then wiggle the filter off the plastic tube, it should come easily.
Wipe out the air box removing any dirt and oil build up. Take care to avoid pushing any debris into the throttle body.
The filter can be cleaned with the Airaid renew kit fluid or your favorite degreaser. Note: I used a K&N kit as I had some left over from my Datsun 240z.
Tap off and very lightly brush off the dirt and grime build up.
Spray down the air filter with cleaner.
Let the filter soak for approximately 10 minutes.
Rinse out the filter from the inside out using lightly running tap water. Keep rinsing until the water starts to run clear.
Let the filter dry out naturally, do not blow dry with compressed air as you can damage the filter membrane. Since the oil filter can take time to dry some racers have two filters one in the car and one in the cleaning process.
Once the filter is dry you can now spray it with the oil. Do not spray too much oil. Excess oil can build up on sensors and cause running issues.
You want to make sure that you get good even coverage without excessive amounts of oil build up.
Let the filter dry out and then inspect it to make sure you have good coverage without any white areas.
With the filter now clean, dry and oiled you can place back into the car. Push the filter opening onto the intake tube.
Ensure the hose clamp is facing up so you can tighten it in place with either the nut driver or a flat blade screwdriver. Pop the air box cover back in place. Tighten the dzus fasteners by pushing down and rotating a quarter turn.
You are now ready for another on track session. Go get that throttle wide open!
Other Maintenance Articles
When replacing or refilling the Spec Racer Ford coolant system you need to make sure the all the air is bled out of the system before heading out on track.