On previous vehicles when I have splurged and spent the extra money on a K&N filter there has not really been any noticible difference between them and the standard filter peoples like fram and stp have any of you seen results justifying spending twice the amount on an air filter?
I use K&N because they aren't disposable. They also produce a well-made product that I know will hold up over the long run.
I used K&Ns for years with no problem, but recent internet lore has it that they allow too much material through, and that the oil can foul mass airflow sensors. So I switched back to paper and I just change them every 20k or so. I buy whatever's on sale, unlike oil filters, I don't think there's much difference.
I like K&N for the added induction sounds. Those sounds are a result of it being less restrictive. Which in my mind means the fine dust could get through. If I lived and drove on dirt or gravel roads I'd stick with paper and just replace it regularly.
I've had K&N in several things, splurged for an AMSOIL EA filter once too. I've gone back to Mann or Purolator in recent years, check ever so often, replace as needed. I never noticed any improvements from a K&N, but it's not like I have any "performance" cars.
Joe Gearin wrote: I use K&N because they aren't disposable. They also produce a well-made product that I know will hold up over the long run.
This.
the "oil messing with mass air sensors" comes for folk OVER oiling the filters when they clean them
and the added sounds aren't coming from the filter letting more air in as much as it's coming from removing the baffling in the air intake tubing. which the OEM put there to quite the induction down. (most folk don't want a loud car LOL )
OEM Paper filters
K&N.
Clean it enough and it pays for itself. Problem is I never keep a car long enough for that to happen (but I'm sure the next owner appreciates the gesture).
A lot are saying K&N but do you notice a difference in gas mileage or HP over the OEM filters?
nope … but I have noticed that my K&N is warranted for 1,000,000 mi.
the extra price of a K&N is more than made up when compared to the price of replacement paper filters
Back in the old days, I'd see a consistent 1 mpg better than the older paper filters in most of my cars. The only holdout was my 89 9C1. That berkeleyer was perpetually stuck at 18mpg. But the bigger issue is long term cost. I have always lived around dirt/gravel roads so air filters are dirty every 10k-ish. Keep a car for 150k miles, that's 15 air filters at $10 a pop. One K&N at $40 puts $110 in my pocket.
I don't usually upgrade until I remove the box.
Take the filter out leave the box open and enjoy the sounds. Is that bad for your motor? Not if it's rent car.
N Sperlo wrote: I don't usually upgrade until I remove the box.
This. The restrictions of stock systems are a bigger hinderance than the filter media unless its a turbo car or you're sticking to a stock class for autocross.
wbjones wrote: and the added sounds aren't coming from the filter letting more air in as much as it's coming from removing the baffling in the air intake tubing. which the OEM put there to quite the induction down. (most folk don't want a loud car LOL )
Most of the ones I've put in are just replacement elements in the stock housing with no other changes and I most certainly get more pronounced, deeper induction noises.
For what it's worth, I recently ordered a Summit-brand air filter for my Camaro. It cost about $15 less than the K&N part, even though it's clearly the exact same piece. Even came with one of those "This is a K&N filter. Don't throw it away" stickers for people that take cars to Jiffy Lubes and whatnot.
nicksta43 wrote:wbjones wrote: and the added sounds aren't coming from the filter letting more air in as much as it's coming from removing the baffling in the air intake tubing. which the OEM put there to quite the induction down. (most folk don't want a loud car LOL )Most of the ones I've put in are just replacement elements in the stock housing with no other changes and I most certainly get more pronounced, deeper induction noises.
interesting … the first "mod" I did to my Integra when I bought it was a drop in K&N filter .. didn't notice any difference in noise … when I put the AEM intake (with K&N filter) the noise was louder than the header and cat back
i guess ill be the first guy to say spectre...
If you want to go with a reusable filter, get an AEM Dryflow w/ prefilter bag. Good filtration, high flow, doesn't need oil or special cleaning chemicals.
I dunno about Spectre's filters but they do make the best intake tubing - chrome-coated ABS pipe. It insulates very well and weighs nothing.
I'll second AEM Dryflow … they weren't available when I bought mine
I've put a lot of K&N filters in things over the years. In most cases the differences have been negligible, more for my need to do something to even the crappiest car. In a couple of cases (RV and Suburban) the huge K&N helped a solid 1-2 MPG.
In one weird case though (2000 Grand Caravan) it made a HUGE negative hit on my mileage. Bad enough that halfway through a 2000 mile trip I stopped to buy a paper filter at a local parts store. Probably -4 MPG and an anemic feeling car.
Everything I keep gets a K&N just for the fact that they give the US Coast Guard filters for free for a lot of our boats (the 47' Motor Life Boats and 87' Cutters for sure). They are also a quality product that will save you money over time. The one in SWMBO's GP has been there for 8 years and 75,000 miles. That's a lot of paper filters! I still use the same cleaning kit I bought 15 years ago, too.
BITOG did a good article on K&N vs paper. It came down to flow or filtration. I went for filtration, paper, this last time.
I call K&N the "cow catcher" as that's about how good of a filter it is. Its OEM for me, most people who change them do so far too often.
You'll need to log in to post.
