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K&N Filters

S

Sniper82

Lifer
Is it worth it to put these in my 4 Cylinder cars? They are suppose to add some Horse Power and are reusable. I am mostly interested in them as I figure the little extra HP might help take some of the load off the engine with the A/C on. I know when I turn the A/C on the RPM's(at idle) drop some and the engine sounds more rough.
 
The only real benefit you'll get is that you'll save some money by not needing to change out your air filter as much.

Real world performance is very minimal.
 
Performance increase depends how restrictive your stock intake and exhaust is and if the engine is performance oriented and working too hard to suck air in the first place.

Something like an air filter isn't going to be noticeable, esp on a 4 cyl with the AC on going up hill with 4 passengers in the middle of a hot summer day.

Idle shouldn't drop too much. It will at first, but the computer should straighten it out again, and yes its going to run a little rough because it's under load driving the AC compressor at idle.
 
Keep in mind that you have to clean & charge the K&N, my Mustang GT has one on it but I'm not looking forward to the service process. I bought the kit to do it but it looks like a gigantic pain in the ass.

Viper GTS
 
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Keep in mind that you have to clean & charge the K&N, my Mustang GT has one on it but I'm not looking forward to the service process. I bought the kit to do it but it looks like a gigantic pain in the ass.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

It's not too bad. I've cleaned mine twice in it's lifetime. You just spray it with the cleaner....let it sit...rinse it with water...let it dry....and spray on the fresh oil.


The only bad part is through all this you can't go anywhere. Unless you wanna put a rag over your intake like my friend did 😉
 
Originally posted by: NaOH
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Keep in mind that you have to clean & charge the K&N, my Mustang GT has one on it but I'm not looking forward to the service process. I bought the kit to do it but it looks like a gigantic pain in the ass.

Viper GTS</end quote></div>

It's not too bad. I've cleaned mine twice in it's lifetime. You just spray it with the cleaner....let it sit...rinse it with water...let it dry....and spray on the fresh oil.


The only bad part is through all this you can't go anywhere. Unless you wanna put a rag over your intake like my friend did 😉
Click to expand...

Yep, it's really easy and painless.
 
Your've not going to see that much difference. The only benefit is the fact that you can wash it. I think an air filter for most cars runs about $20.00. So you can save a little there.
 
Better off with a cold air intake. One that does not throw off a check engine light.

My Mazda dealer ship charges 400-500 for the intall. If only I can get the fuel maps tuned for it I can get 20-25 extra horses and 20 lbs of torque.
 
If you live in a dusty environment, I would recommend against it, otherwise as others posted, it isn't going to do much in a 4 banger econo car.
 
It doesn't add any HP or TQ. You just regain them when they were lost due to the more restrictive stock ones. Now installing a turbo or supercharger will add power.

And yeah installing one isn't going to make any noticable difference in helping the engine with the ac on.
 
I actually bought 2 filters. The reason is to just swap them out, and you can continue to use your car while you do the cleaning process.
 
Depends on what you're looking for.

If you could really use the 1-2MPG tops you're going to get, change your oil every 20,000 miles and are only going to keep the car for a year or two, go for it. 😉

If you could really use the 1-2MPG tops you're going to get, change your oil every 3,000 miles and are planning on keeping the car for a long time, go for it.

If you could really use the 1-2MPG tops you're going to get, change your oil every 10,000 miles and are planning on keeping the car for a long time, I wouldn't.
 
Originally posted by: Gillbot
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
I wouldn't bother.</end quote></div>

+1

http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm

Basically, the K&N MIGHT increase power but it will allow more dirt to enter the engine as well.
Click to expand...

Not only will it allow more dirt, but the question of power really requires the stock filter to be insufficient for the engine's breathing requirements. Many have a large enough surface area to satisfy the engine's needs.
 
Originally posted by: Apex
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Gillbot
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
I wouldn't bother.</end quote></div>

+1

http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm

Basically, the K&N MIGHT increase power but it will allow more dirt to enter the engine as well.</end quote></div>

Not only will it allow more dirt, but the question of power really requires the stock filter to be insufficient for the engine's breathing requirements. Many have a large enough surface area to satisfy the engine's needs.
Click to expand...

I don't doubt that they can make more power but gains on a basically stock car would be minimal. If you are already modded, the extra air might add a few more but is it worth the minimal gains for the amount of dirt it allows to pass.

Personally, I stopped using the K&N filters long ago after oil analysis was showing alarming wear and contamination levels on a motor with less than 10k on the clock. After the K&N was removed, the wear and contamination subsided.
 
I had one in my truck, took it out after a couple thousand miles to inspect/clean if necessary. I found a layer of very fine dust in the intake behind it. Needless to say, it went in the trash.
 
The best part of the K&N Air Filter that will do your car the most good is the decal. For your purposes, this air filter would be a wast of time and money.
 
Ive had the priveledge of throwing away many of these 50 dollar rags. Many were cleaner than the air tube/mass air flow meter that they were designed to protect. But many people still swear by them.

I think if I were to try anything I would try a dry filter cold air system with tight seals.
 
Originally posted by: mastertech01
Ive had the priveledge of throwing away many of these 50 dollar rags. Many were cleaner than the air tube/mass air flow meter that they were designed to protect. But many people still swear by them.

I think if I were to try anything I would try a dry filter cold air system with tight seals.
Click to expand...

The man still exists!
 
Originally posted by: mastertech01
Ive had the priveledge of throwing away many of these 50 dollar rags. Many were cleaner than the air tube/mass air flow meter that they were designed to protect. But many people still swear by them.

I think if I were to try anything I would try a dry filter cold air system with tight seals.
Click to expand...
Echo these sentiments. I've seen a bunch of these that caused more problems than they ever helped.
 
If you want to see a noticeable difference in power, you might have to buy a cold air intake as others have stated. They cost a lot more than the filters ($250+ depending on make and model), but can increase power by 5-30 horsepower (this also depends on make and model.) Most big power gains are seen on v6 and v8 engines, however. For instance, the Corvette Z06 can gain up to 30 horsepower and Mustang GT500 can gain up to 45 horsepower!

Otherwise, you're better off buying a $6 FRAM filter every 8000-12000 miles if you are considering just a replacement K&N filter.

And also make sure you're replacing the oil every 3000 miles. This will do a lot more good for your engine than a $50 air filter will.
 
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