Difference between Sparks filter ring and Pro Design?

[bobbo97f150]

Does anyone know the difference between the Sparks aluminum filter ring and the one made by Pro Design? The Pro Design setup is almost twice the price.

[atva_63]

Neither they are like MOST of other products You are paying for the name.

[bobbo97f150]

What exactly do the rings do? Does one end clamp into the intake boot and the other end goes in the air filter, or does it fit inside the filter and work like the plastic UNI cage setup?

[atva_63]

on the yamaha they bolt on the airbox and it opens the diameter of the intake to alow for a bigger air filter

[cals400ex]

the metal ring from sparks is nice, probably not worth what you pay but definately nice. one side of the billet ring will slide right into your air boot. this provides a good solid mount so the air filter will be sealed well and won't fall off.

[bobbo97f150]

Thanks. So one side goes into the intake boot and the other side in the air filter or does the rubber boot on the filter still slide onto the stock intake boot? Sorry if it sounds like the same question over and over I'm just trying to get an idea of how it works. Which one does it look like? Are they both like this(Pro Design and Curtis Sparks)? Thanks again.

[cals400ex]

the sparks only has one clamp holding it on.

[bobbo97f150]

Originally posted by cals400ex
the sparks only has one clamp holding it on.

Thanks for the info. Anyone know anything about the Pro Design setup?

[superquadguy]

on the PRO D. the ring goes in the boot and clamps down. then the filter clamps on to the ring not the boot any more.

[CdaleXtreme]

It is an air boot support ring thats all it is. Its not a connector or anything like that. It is just used as reinforcment, so your clamp has something solid to tighten against.

without the ring, your air box boot will collapse and allow dirt to be sucked into the engine. blown up an engine or two because of it.

[cals400ex]

i wouldn't get the pro design. the horsepower fell off more with the pro design than it did with the K&N or the UNI. these were the only 3 filters in the test, but it came in last

[bobbo97f150]

Did you test the stock one? I'm thinking of switching back to that because it's very unlikely for it to come off and I've read that you don't gain a whole lot of flow from a different filter. I'm running a UNI right now.

[cals400ex]

i am sure most of the foam filters aren't that different. there probably won't be a noticable difference in power between any filter unless the bike is heavily modded. you can use the stock filter. heck, it probably flows as good as other foam filters. one thing i would do is cut the metal cage off. just use the lip of the metal cage that comes on the bike from the factory to provide a good solid mount with the stock or uni filter. this will eliminate a lot restriction, whether or not it will be noticeable.... who knows. i instead just bought the sparks billet ring so i wouldn't have to mess with any of that. this sparks billet ring should work with all foam filters like UNI, stock, sparks, etc. i haven't seen the pro design or the twin air for the 450r yet but if it mounts to the stock intake boot, the sparks billet ring or a cut up stock piece will work.

[bobbo97f150]

Cool, thanks for the info.

[K-Dub]

If you cut the cage part off what will keep the filter from collapsing in on itself or from being sucked into the intake?

[cals400ex]

i questioned that same thing. i was told by a few companies that they tested it on bikes with over 50 horsepower and the filters never did collapse. heck, with the sparks filter you aren't even supposed to run a cage. i doubt they would put a filter kit on the market that will have problems. i run the sparks billet ring and the filter. the filter may sag in the back a few millimeters but i have had no problems so far. you will be fine.

[K-Dub]

How do you fill the hole in the back of the filter where the brace attachtes? Atleast on the stock filter, does the Uni/Twin air/Sparks/Pro design filters have this hole or not.

[cals400ex]

i don't think most use that either. the sparks doesn't. the uni on the 400ex doesn't either so i assume it doesn't on the 450r. the twin air does on the 400ex but i have no idea on the 450r. as you can see, i only have sparks filters for the 450r right now. i am not saying they are best but i just ordered them when i ordered their billet ring.