The Injen 1038RED is a red Hydroshield water-repellent pre-filter that slips over the outside of an X-1022 intake filter as a first barrier against spray, puddle splash, and road debris. Injen's Hydroshield starts with a proprietary base media that is then given a hydrophobic water-repellent treatment. Owners on user forums say the elastic end pulls snug over the filter base, so the cover stays seated while you drive. Injen's 1038RED is meant to keep a cold air intake filter from soaking up water on the street and track, which can otherwise hurt airflow and throttle response.
Against a bare filter, the cover adds a sacrificial layer that is engineered to divert contaminants that can clog your air filter and compromise peak airflow and horsepower output. Owners on user forums report that it stopped the moisture-soaked filter problems they had during rainy months, though they also note it cannot protect a filter that is fully submerged. The manufacturer is clear that this is a hydrophobic treatment to help repel water and does not make your filter water proof. Budget a few extra dollars against a clogged or water-logged filter and this is a low-cost safeguard for wet-weather intake builds, especially for owners searching for a Hydroshield X-1022 pre-filter, a red water repellent pre-filter, or a rain-ready cold air intake setup.
The manufacturer lists confirmed fitment on the Injen X-1022-BB, X-1022-BR, and X-1050-BB air filters. The manufacturer also describes the cover as a direct fit for many Injen filters and some universal applications, so measure your filter against the 6.5in base, 8.0in tall, and 5.5in top dimensions before ordering.
No. The manufacturer states the cover is water repellent, not waterproof. Owners on user forums say it helps with spray and moisture, but a fully submerged filter can still let water into the intake, so avoid deep standing water.
Discussion on user forums generally holds that a clean pre-filter should not noticeably restrict airflow, and that restriction becomes more of a concern only once the cover is heavily dirty. The manufacturer says the cover is designed to keep debris from clogging the filter, which is the reason owners run it in the first place.
Installation is generally a beginner-to-intermediate job. Owners on user forums report finishing in roughly 20 minutes to an hour, with access as the main variable. Pull the intake filter, slide the cover over it so the elastic end wraps snugly around the filter base, then reseat the filter in the intake. On some vehicles, reaching the filter means lifting the car and removing underbody liner clips and a bolt, and nearby fog lights can block your working room, so plan for more time if the layout is tight. Check that the cover sits flat and does not pinch the intake tube or interfere with the MAF sensor area.
