Is a K&N filter worth the huge price?

[Hyperlite]

I need a new air filter for my '98 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2l V6, and i looked up a K&N filter just to see what they ran...$60. I could get a run-of-the-mill replacement filter for about $10, so my question is, is the 1 million mile warranty, machine-washable-ness, and increased air flow worth the extra $$$?

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
I need a new air filter for my '98 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2l V6, and i looked up a K&N filter just to see what they ran...$60. I could get a run-of-the-mill replacement filter for about $10, so my question is, is the 1 million mile warranty, machine-washable-ness, and increased air flow worth the extra $$$?

No

 

[laurenlex]

NO. Overrated and lets dirt into the engine. Free flowing means dirt flows right in. Save your money.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: arcenite

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
I need a new air filter for my '98 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2l V6, and i looked up a K&N filter just to see what they ran...$60. I could get a run-of-the-mill replacement filter for about $10, so my question is, is the 1 million mile warranty, machine-washable-ness, and increased air flow worth the extra $$$?

No

 

[0roo0roo]

nope

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: laurenlex
NO. Overrated and lets dirt into the engine. Free flowing means dirt flows right in. Save your money.

Exactly. You can't get something for nothing.

 

[The Stigenator]

www.usdieselparts.com/knfilters

you can get it from there much cheaper.. i have in the past.

 

[amdskip]

Probably not but they are very nice.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The only advantage is that they are clean-able. The disadvantages are manifold. It is very easy to over-oil the filter and the the excess has been known to gum up air flow sensors and cause poor running. Moreover, more flow (for a fixed filter size) means less filtration, so you will suck more crap into your engine with a K&N.

ZV

 

[Vic]

Actually yes, when purchased for a newer car near the beginning of its service life. Regular paper filters cost ~$15 each and must be replaced at least every $30k miles. K&N filters typically cost ~$40 and don't ever need to be replaced. Even after factoring in the $10 cost of the cleaning kit, you still come out ahead after about 100k miles.

And no, you don't get something for nothing. You get something for something. Paper filters only filter on a single layer. Cloth filters filter through multiple layers. That is how is they allow more airflow with a similar level of filtration.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Yes, they are, if you know what the hell you're doing. They're guaranteed to add something like 5 or 10 HP.

:beer: for Vic.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Vic
Actually yes, when purchased for a newer car near the beginning of its service life. Regular paper filters cost ~$15 each and must be replaced at least every $30k miles. K&N filters typically cost ~$40 and don't ever need to be replaced. Even after factoring in the $10 cost of the cleaning kit, you still come out ahead after about 100k miles.

And no, you don't get something for nothing. You get something for something. Paper filters only filter on a single layer. Cloth filters filter through multiple layers. That is how is they allow more airflow with a similar level of filtration.

Sorry Vic, but I can't agree on the last part.

Multiple layers generate more turbulance and more resistance for the incomming air. If the filtration is the same and the surface area of the filter is the same, then the restriction is the same. They do flow better, but in test after test they filter worse than paper filters, though the gap is not catastrophic.

For actual testing and proof, there's the following link.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm

ZV

 

[MaxFusion16]

Originally posted by: Nik
Yes, they are, if you know what the hell you're doing. They're guaranteed to add something like 5 or 10 HP.

:beer: for Vic.

wahahahahahaahahahaha

guaranteed to add 5 or 10hp?

waahahahahahaahah

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16

Originally posted by: Nik
Yes, they are, if you know what the hell you're doing. They're guaranteed to add something like 5 or 10 HP.

:beer: for Vic.

wahahahahahaahahahaha

guaranteed to add 5 or 10hp?

waahahahahahaahah

Ah, not the filter. I was thinking of the entire intake.

 

[Rubycon]

The most efficient filter is the one that is never changed.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Nik
Ah, not the filter. I was thinking of the entire intake.

Depends on the car. Also, it takes a 10% jump in power before it's really measureable so even at a 10hp gain (highly optimistic) even a stopwatch isn't going to be able to tell unless you're driving a Geo Metro or something.

Much more accurate would be to say that the power gain is 0 to 5 percent.

ZV

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Nik
Ah, not the filter. I was thinking of the entire intake.

Depends on the car. Also, it takes a 10% jump in power before it's really measureable so even at a 10hp gain (highly optimistic) even a stopwatch isn't going to be able to tell unless you're driving a Geo Metro or something.

Much more accurate would be to say that the power gain is 0 to 5 percent.

ZV

http://www.knfilters.com/search/hp_search.aspx

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Woot!

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Vic
Actually yes, when purchased for a newer car near the beginning of its service life. Regular paper filters cost ~$15 each and must be replaced at least every $30k miles. K&N filters typically cost ~$40 and don't ever need to be replaced. Even after factoring in the $10 cost of the cleaning kit, you still come out ahead after about 100k miles.

unless your time is worthless, the 1 hour you spend each time cleaning, washing, reoiling has a cost also.

1 hour for me already approaches the cost of the k&n filter itself.

 

[Viperoni]

It might be, depending on how much you value whatever extra power it nets you. I would expect 1-3ftlb across the powerband. Which, if racing, can mean the difference between being able to edge out your oppenent... I wish I had one when I raced a ~91 teg. My car was bone stock with a deleted intake resonator, he had a fart bomb, different rims, maybe a CAI. All it would have taken for me to pull ahead would have been a K&N air filter element, or a higher flowing muffler.

In either case, I think $60 for the element is overpriced

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Vic
Actually yes, when purchased for a newer car near the beginning of its service life. Regular paper filters cost ~$15 each and must be replaced at least every $30k miles. K&N filters typically cost ~$40 and don't ever need to be replaced. Even after factoring in the $10 cost of the cleaning kit, you still come out ahead after about 100k miles.

unless your time is worthless, the 1 hour you spend each time cleaning, washing, reoiling has a cost also.

1 hour for me already approaches the cost of the k&n filter itself.

Yea, I had one once, and it was just a PITA. Rather just throw in a new one and be done in 2 minutes.

 

[pbaker]

my friend was telling me that a k&n filter would give me about 15 more horsepower, bs ?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: pbaker
my friend was telling me that a k&n filter would give me about 15 more horsepower, bs ?

Just the filter, yes, it's bull.

An entire intake, it's possible if the engine is already making 250+ hp in stock form and has a restrictive intake.

On the other hand, dyno charts comparing stock Porsche 944s with 944s that have custom intakes show no gains because the stock setup is already breathing cold air from outside the engine compartment.

ZV

 

[TheSlamma]

I did the open element one on my truck.

It's one of the largest one's they have available, I don't have to clean it for almost 2 years. (only done it twice now on my 1999) I have just shy of 90K miles and no problems except after I clean it I wait about a week then spray down the MAF with electrical contact cleaner t get the oil film off.

As far as power, meh.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16

Originally posted by: Nik
Yes, they are, if you know what the hell you're doing. They're guaranteed to add something like 5 or 10 HP.

:beer: for Vic.

wahahahahahaahahahaha

guaranteed to add 5 or 10hp?

waahahahahahaahah

actually it does make a noticable differance (don't know about 10hp, but definatly somewhere near 4-5hp vs paper filter). mine has paid for itself 3 times over already. (120k miles, $65 for the k&n + $10 for a recharge kit vs. 6x$14-16 for paper filters + I get 1-2mpg better economy with the k&n than when I was on paper and it's still like new)

2002 Dodge Dakota 3.9 v6 for the record. (140k miles, first 20k was on a paper filter)

And for the record, they trap more contaminants than paper filters (why else do you suppose the U.S. armed forces uses them in most all thier vehicles?)...unless you plan on buying a hepa quality filter for your vehicle (ha ha....ha..hahahaha)

It's not a huge differance, and is really only worth it if you plan on keeping the vehicle for 70k+ miles.