K&N Filter
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I knew something was missing from the ROC forums! You asked THE question so be prepared for a "lively" discussion. It could be tied for the Synth vs Dino oil debate, but that is another topic.
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2 Posts
I've had mine in for 3 weeks now and I see an increase in performance and somewhere between 1-2 gal/mile increase. I've put one on every car I have ever owned and they are great!
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183 Posts
Well, OK then ... here we go ...:wink: I have already donned my helmet and flack vest:surprise:
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As hard as it is for engineers/manufacturers to squeak another 1-2 mpg out of a vehicle ... I think they would have tried a less restrictive air filter by now, if it would help..!? It would certainly be cheaper than VCM, 10 speed trans, etc., etc., ..
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As hard as it is for engineers/manufacturers to squeak another 1-2 mpg out of a vehicle ... I think they would have tried a less restrictive air filter by now, if it would help..!? It would certainly be cheaper than VCM, 10 speed trans, etc., etc., ..
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2,264 Posts
and there you have it. This, plus insults and name calling, is what the thread will eventually look like. Half love it and half hate it. Normal air filters work great so a K&N is just an added waste of time and money.
Which side do you want to be on? :grin:
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4,380 Posts
I dont care what anyone thinks, but that right there is very funny. LMAO...................
You also have to factor in NOISE requirements to pass EPA garbage. Free flowing filters are a lot louder than a factory filter. The motor is just an air pump...get air into it easier, and out easier can always be a help to make a motor more efficient. Now you have to factor in the computers though, and if they can adjust and take advantage of any extra flow. Only way to find out is put it on a dyno and see how it works. Every vehicle is different.
Also, if you are just replacing the filter, you still have all the restrictive air plumbing in place...and again plays a part in noise requirements.
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341 Posts
Okay I'll wade in with my past personal experiences. 
I'll just say that I used to be a big K&N and/or TRD Air Filter person...but again my average years of ownership per vehicle was 1.97 years (so not very long). :act024:
For me I've hand calculated every tank on every one of my 33 rigs over the years. Trying them with and without the K&N and/or TRD Filters. And I could never get any of the cars to really show a significant consistent difference (meaning a consistent 1 MPG or better) after more than a tank or two...when the computer would then start to adjust to the different air flows.
Performance wise...I just went over to visit the K&N website, and on a quick spot check of past trucks I've owned...I noticed that they really don't seem to have as bold a statements as they used make (like 5 to 10 more HP). It used to be that every time K&N would show a Dynamometer Chart (and maybe I'm wrong) but I never remember seeing a chart that showed the whole RPM band width...seems like they'd always start to show the Dyno at about 3,000 RPM's. So by the seat of my VERY sensitive butt and professional driving schools that I'd been blessed to attend. Again for me, it really "seemed" like a person had less grunt off the line with a K&N and/or TRD...and then when a person hit higher RPMs then it started to feel like my vehicles were breathing easier (with of course more noise too).
I'd also have to say that my best "feelings" were when there was a K&N / TRD Filter and then a Catback Larger Exhaust...because more air in at higher RPMs needs some place to go.
And I will also have to admit that I was not a big fan of having to oil the filters...but even with a fresh out of the box K&N or TRD (that should be oiled properly from the manufacture) I have had a few codes thrown after the Oxygen Sensor got too much oil on it...where I've then had to pull the Sensor and dip it in alcohol to bring them back to life.
So now, again maybe I'm old, or have just had enough vehicles to test over the years. But I stick to the factory filters that are a lil' quieter...and then I change them about every 15K to 20K for $15 to $20 bucks in a few seconds and get back on the road.
Hope that might be helpful to somebody.
I'll just say that I used to be a big K&N and/or TRD Air Filter person...but again my average years of ownership per vehicle was 1.97 years (so not very long). :act024:
For me I've hand calculated every tank on every one of my 33 rigs over the years. Trying them with and without the K&N and/or TRD Filters. And I could never get any of the cars to really show a significant consistent difference (meaning a consistent 1 MPG or better) after more than a tank or two...when the computer would then start to adjust to the different air flows.
Performance wise...I just went over to visit the K&N website, and on a quick spot check of past trucks I've owned...I noticed that they really don't seem to have as bold a statements as they used make (like 5 to 10 more HP). It used to be that every time K&N would show a Dynamometer Chart (and maybe I'm wrong) but I never remember seeing a chart that showed the whole RPM band width...seems like they'd always start to show the Dyno at about 3,000 RPM's. So by the seat of my VERY sensitive butt and professional driving schools that I'd been blessed to attend. Again for me, it really "seemed" like a person had less grunt off the line with a K&N and/or TRD...and then when a person hit higher RPMs then it started to feel like my vehicles were breathing easier (with of course more noise too).
I'd also have to say that my best "feelings" were when there was a K&N / TRD Filter and then a Catback Larger Exhaust...because more air in at higher RPMs needs some place to go.
And I will also have to admit that I was not a big fan of having to oil the filters...but even with a fresh out of the box K&N or TRD (that should be oiled properly from the manufacture) I have had a few codes thrown after the Oxygen Sensor got too much oil on it...where I've then had to pull the Sensor and dip it in alcohol to bring them back to life.
So now, again maybe I'm old, or have just had enough vehicles to test over the years. But I stick to the factory filters that are a lil' quieter...and then I change them about every 15K to 20K for $15 to $20 bucks in a few seconds and get back on the road.
Hope that might be helpful to somebody.
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461 Posts
Not going to get into this debate but can offer this for your viewing pleasure. K&N Air Filter Review - Debunking the Myths (and why OEM is better)
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1,204 Posts
I assume that you are referring to the MAF sensor not the Oxygen sensor. There is no way oil from your air filter is going to foul your O2 sensor. If it did, you definitely misread the K&N air filter cleaning and oiling instructions.
My 2¢.... Love em!
Now in saying that, I have always opted for a larger surface area cone filter and CAI vs the drop in panel replacements. I have never once had an issue with oil contaminating my MAF sensor. And on my older Honda's they are all MAP sensor driven. So it didn't matter how much oil you poured on them.
As far as MPG or Performance gains, I'll have to admit, I really never paid much attention. I know that I love the sound when I kick down the throttle and that's enough for me.
As far as the guys (cough cough) who always post up a link to the test graph that shows just how poor K&N filters are at filtering their test dirt..... Give it a rest please. They stop all dust particulate large enough to do any damage to your engine. And we are talking 5-10 microns...... Look it up, stock oil filters and fuel filters don't even filter particulate that fine.
Anywho, as far as these threads go, it's usually a love'em or hate'em kind of deal!
2 each his own I say!
Been running one on my 2004 Grand Am for 12 years now and no engine issues.
CAI & K&N filter porn!
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My 2¢.... Love em!
Now in saying that, I have always opted for a larger surface area cone filter and CAI vs the drop in panel replacements. I have never once had an issue with oil contaminating my MAF sensor. And on my older Honda's they are all MAP sensor driven. So it didn't matter how much oil you poured on them.
As far as MPG or Performance gains, I'll have to admit, I really never paid much attention. I know that I love the sound when I kick down the throttle and that's enough for me.
As far as the guys (cough cough) who always post up a link to the test graph that shows just how poor K&N filters are at filtering their test dirt..... Give it a rest please. They stop all dust particulate large enough to do any damage to your engine. And we are talking 5-10 microns...... Look it up, stock oil filters and fuel filters don't even filter particulate that fine.
Anywho, as far as these threads go, it's usually a love'em or hate'em kind of deal!
2 each his own I say!
Been running one on my 2004 Grand Am for 12 years now and no engine issues.
CAI & K&N filter porn!
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283 Posts
Thanks for the comments. I had a K&N on my previous vehicle. First ever. Just to experiment I stuck the OE back in for about a week. Two MPG drop even with cat back exhaust and bed cover. I am not going to install cat back on the G2. Hated the sound. Too loud and droned a lot. I find I am really enjoying the quiet exhaust of the G2. I will eventually add a bed cover as soon as Bak-Flip has one available. I tried the K&N oil filter. Never again. Engine rattle on cold start. GhostYK1. I did find the K&N I installed on my previous vehicle overly saturated with oil. I had to lay it out onto paper towels for a couple hours before instillation.
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364 Posts
^^^^^This^^^^^
Pink 24" rims and a giant wing on the back will improve handling. I've done it to all my cars/trucks. I swear it works.
Prince
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341 Posts
You are correct it was MAF, my mistakeI assume that you are referring to the MAF sensor not the Oxygen sensor. There is no way oil from your air filter is going to foul your O2 sensor. If it did, you definitely misread the K&N air filter cleaning and oiling instructions.
...and I've only had three (3) vehicles throw codes...but it was after the third one (which was actually a TRD) where I'd decided that was the last.So to clarify...the three (3) I mentioned were not re-oiled or cleaning time...these where thrown codes that came from two (2) fresh K&N's out of the box, and one (1) TRD fresh out of the box (that are supposed to be pre-oiled to K&N / TRD Specs).
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364 Posts
:act039: Air below the surface of the earth is denser, so I plumbed my RL to pull air from 5 miles down. :nerd:
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