depends what state you are in.
If you are in Colorado, you can go unfiltered (with the good dope!)
In California, they like it backwards, as things always go in the out door, and you have to rotate them on counterclockwise (they get screwed always)
In your girlfriends name is Kimberly Spitz or Stephanie Swallows, you have to put them on backwards, because it sucks! (not blows!)
In Texas, you need a bigger filter.
If you are actually going to be in water, above the top of the hood, where this filter resides, it does not matter, as you engine is dead and you are sinking.