K&N Air filters

[MBrown]

Are they worth the extra money? Who here has one?

 

[cKGunslinger]

Deja vu.

I'm not calling repost, however, because I think it was several months/years ago when I last saw this. It's just that the title was exactly the same, I think.

 

[NaOH]

For an aftermarket intake or the ones you put in place of your paper filter?

 

[Maximus96]

they worth it for the fact that you can clean and re-use them. not worth it in hopes to gain extra HP.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: AMDUALY
For an aftermarket intake or the ones you put in place of your paper filter?

Panel filter?

And yes if it doesn?t void your warranty then go with a K&N air filter. They are top dog.


EDIT. Go for a "Cone Filter"

 

[NaOH]

If it's for the one where you drop it into your stock intake box. Then I would only justify it if you have to have the best for your car. MPG gains are insignificant and paper filters aren't super expensive but also last a good time before you replace them. HP gains are non existant also. So if I were you, I'd get it for bling and convenience of never having to buy them again.

I have a K&N cone filter that goes on my aftermarket intake pipe. I bought it because the only ones you can get locally are ebay type cheapies. It works alright I guess. Easy to clean with the cleaning and oiling kit that you have to buy seperately. I notice it catches A LOT more grains of dirt/rocks and sand then the ebay one.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: AMDUALY
For an aftermarket intake or the ones you put in place of your paper filter?

Panel filter?

And yes if it doesn?t void your warranty then go with a K&N air filter. They are top dog.


EDIT. Go for a "Cone Filter"

It won't make that much of a difference even if he had aftermarket piping. Unless he drove a V8 mustang or something to that extent.

 

[robisc]

they worth it for the fact that you can clean and re-use them. not worth it in hopes to gain extra HP

I agree but they are the first thing I ever replace on a vehicle when I buy it

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: AMDUALY

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: AMDUALY
For an aftermarket intake or the ones you put in place of your paper filter?

Panel filter?

And yes if it doesn?t void your warranty then go with a K&N air filter. They are top dog.


EDIT. Go for a "Cone Filter"

It won't make that much of a difference even if he had aftermarket piping. Unless he drove a V8 mustang or something to that extent.

True, but If the engine doesn?t drown the noise out, sometimes you can hear noise the filter makes when sucking in the air.

For what its worth.

Although I believe its on average about 4Bhp with a replacement K&N air filter.

 

[OS]

worthless, they filter worse than stock paper filters and don't add any real power. Yes they are reusable, but they are a pain in the ass to clean so it's only cheaper if your time is worthless.

As for cone filters, AEM now makes a synthetic dry filter, no oiling, that supposedly filters better than cotton.

 

[davew0670]

usually need to upgrade exhaust also to "see" some performance changes. They sound cool which is easily worth an extra 5 hp.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: OS
worthless, they filter worse than stock paper filters and don't add any real power. Yes they are reusable, but they are a pain in the ass to clean so it's only cheaper if your time is worthless.

As for cone filters, AEM now makes a synthetic dry filter, no oiling, that supposedly filters better than cotton.

Exactly. Theres a well done test on the net comparing a few types of filters.

Their conclusion:

Regular paper filters filter the best. K&N filters slightly, probably negligibly less.
Likewise, K&N filters flow slightly better, but completely undetectable by anything but a dyno, and even then, its prob within the margin of error.

To clear a K&N filter, you have to buy a $15 cleaner kit, adding to the $50 for the filter itself...after tax, its about $70 total.

Cleaning it involves spraying this cleaner on it, letting it dry for at least an hour, and then reoiling it, letting it dry for at least another 2-3 hours. It can be messy, and its time consuming, and you cant use your car while the filter is out of service.

The paper filter takes 5 mins to exchange, and only costs 10 bucks, and lasts 10-20k. You can buy 7 filters, lasting you well over 100K, for the price of one K&N, and even though they say its reusable, I wouldnt trust a filter I've cleaned and re-oiled several times already.

Not worth it IMHO...maybe if you can get one for 20 bucks and can deal with the hassle.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: OS
worthless, they filter worse than stock paper filters and don't add any real power. Yes they are reusable, but they are a pain in the ass to clean so it's only cheaper if your time is worthless.

As for cone filters, AEM now makes a synthetic dry filter, no oiling, that supposedly filters better than cotton.

Do you have a link for this AEM filter? Sounds interesting, what's the flow like? I want to find a replacement for my apexi cone filter on the MR-2, it's a pain in the butt.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: OS
worthless, they filter worse than stock paper filters and don't add any real power. Yes they are reusable, but they are a pain in the ass to clean so it's only cheaper if your time is worthless.

As for cone filters, AEM now makes a synthetic dry filter, no oiling, that supposedly filters better than cotton.

Do you have a link for this AEM filter? Sounds interesting, what's the flow like? I want to find a replacement for my apexi cone filter on the MR-2, it's a pain in the butt.

press release for dry filter

part number and sizing

 

[Philippine Mango]

blar

 

[Armitage]

Had one once - wasn't worth the PITA

 

[Maximus96]

whats the best paper filter, besides OEM part?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: Maximus96
whats the best paper filter, besides OEM part?

NAPA Gold A/F.

Re.K&N. I raced AMA District 34 in the '70s and used K&N on the Yamahas. Never had any bore scoring. My brother in law raced Class C using K&N. Never had dirt induced bore scoring or valve stem/guide wear. Friends raced buggies with VW & Corvair power. Same as above. I've used them on street Moto Guzzis, Ducatis, BSAs, Triumphs, and Hondas. Never an issue. There's one in the Dodge PU atm w/45k on it.

In over 30 years of use no issue. Must be doing something wrong.

...Galvanized

 

[NaOH]

In short. I think what everyone is getting at is, no, stick to your paper.

 

[myusername]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee

Originally posted by: Maximus96
whats the best paper filter, besides OEM part?

NAPA Gold A/F.

Re.K&N. I raced AMA District 34 in the '70s and used K&N on the Yamahas. Never had any bore scoring. My brother in law raced Class C using K&N. Never had dirt induced bore scoring or valve stem/guide wear. Friends raced buggies with VW & Corvair power. Same as above. I've used them on street Moto Guzzis, Ducatis, BSAs, Triumphs, and Hondas. Never an issue. There's one in the Dodge PU atm w/45k on it.

In over 30 years of use no issue. Must be doing something wrong.

...Galvanized

I've run before/after oil analysis on my K&N, and while there was an increase in silicon, it was not significant. As long as you change your oil on schedule, a K&N won't kill your car.

 

[Baked]

Since when did K&N buy ad space on Anandtech? I just saw some a few minutes ago.

 

[cubby1223]

My brother got into the K&N craze when he was adding aftermarket parts to his car. He went and bought a K&N air filter for my Dodge Dakota - and the dang thing dropped my mpg by around 30%! Maybe it's just an odd vehicle that doesn't work with their filters, but still I wouldn't ever think to buy one again.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Baked
Since when did K&N buy ad space on Anandtech? I just saw some a few minutes ago.

Google ads.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Baked
Since when did K&N buy ad space on Anandtech? I just saw some a few minutes ago.

Are you being serious or am i just being gullible!?

I never really take notice of the adds thats why i ask. Also i could have sworn i caught a glimpse of an add earlier today advertising Google beta something (Google video?)

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
My brother got into the K&N craze when he was adding aftermarket parts to his car. He went and bought a K&N air filter for my Dodge Dakota - and the dang thing dropped my mpg by around 30%! Maybe it's just an odd vehicle that doesn't work with their filters, but still I wouldn't ever think to buy one again.

I think on some vehicles the oil from an over-oiled filter can gum up an airflow sensor which can lead to performance problems including loss of mileage.