i have been cleaning and trying to get the little pit stains out of my air cleaner lid, but its getting to be a pain in the ass,
so i decided that i should just get a new filter as well because its getting old also.
but there is so many brands of filters out there,
i have a 4 barrel edelbrock carb.
i have a k&n right now thats what i have always used on all my cars.
But i was wondering what were other people would recommend.

could you please help me.

thanks.

Most of your paper filters should do fine. I use a Fram for everyday usage and a K&N with filter top for race days.

i decided that i should just get a new filter as well because its getting old also. (snip)
i have a k&n right now thats what i have always used on all my cars.
Do you have a million miles on it yet?

K & N filter BETTER when they have some dirt on them.

The worst thing you can do to a K & N is to clean it too often. If you don't have ~1/8 of crud built up on it--DON'T wash it.

i currently have a 14X4 Purolator air cleaner element on my Monte- but when it gets warmer out, the open element is getting put away and the ram air setup is going on for mileage, and i will get either a new Wix or Purolator element for that each year, since the ram air tends to plaster the filter with bugs and dirt pretty good over the summer.
i run the same 14X4 element on a K&N open element air cleaner base and lid on my 81 Ford F250 scrap metal hauler. both elements last about 2-3 years before they get replaced.

the filter itself is pretty old,
also it has not been ran in a while.
probley around a year and a half.
i was talking about the chrome lid of my filter cover was old and pitted.
so i was just gonna get a new lid and bottom,
but was wondering what was peoples opinion on the best air filter

if all you are asking about is the lid and base of the air cleaner- why not just sand it down and paint it?
personally, if i was gonna buy a new open element air cleaner, it would be either a clear anodized Moroso aluminum setup, or those spiffy spun aluminum jobs that they sell for circle track racers with an o-ring seal on the base that only cost $49.
http://www.stockcarproducts.com/images/ac602.jpg

I've never been able to figure out why people buy open-element air cleaners when it's well-known that pulling in colder air from outside the engine compartment is better for power (and also cuts down on engine ping.)

I've never been able to figure out why people buy open-element air cleaners when it's well-known that pulling in colder air from outside the engine compartment is better for power (and also cuts down on engine ping.)
because they look better and less cluttered, and because some people have never hooked up a cold air setup on their cars and saw for themselves how they can affect mileage and drivability.
and, besides, all the fast drag racers and cars in magazines have open element air cleaners, so they must be the best.