K&N question??

[SX4DUDE2013]

got this drop in replacement filter today. Has anybody used them in their vehicals? Any noticiable changes???? I might not be a crazy difference cause is goin in a 2008 SX4 with only 13,000 miles (stock filter cant be THAT dirty).....we shall see...

[Murr1525]

Re: K&N question??

I think my gas mileage went up about 1/2 mpg on longer trips when I put one in.

[cnfowler]

Re: K&N question??

I've got one in my Range Rover. Had one in my Corvette. Never noticed a difference.

Colin

[boiler7904]

Re: K&N question??

I've had one in my Colorado for about 70,000 miles. I noticed a little difference but not too much. It probably paid for itself over time which is all you can really ask for.

I clean mine about every 25,000 miles instead of 50,000 like the instructions say. I try to do it when I won't be driving the truck too much. In any event, I throw in a basic paper filter while the K&N dries from washing and the oil has a chance to soak into the fabric. The most important thing about K&N's is to not over-oil them. It will wreak havoc on your mass air flow sensor.

[agp423]

Re: K&N question??

In medicine/psychology we call it a placebo pill

[Malo83]

Re: K&N question??

In medicine/psychology we call it a placebo pill

X2, for a daily driver they aren't any better than a paper filter, more hype than anything

[kimchiyuk]

Re: K&N question??

I'm a master certified ford technician. I've actually done quite a bit of research on this subject. In a nutshell, in a stock vehicle you will see no difference. They (auto industry) have done many different types of flow tests comparing OEM paper filters to aftermarket types like K@N. There really is not much flow difference between the two, especially not enough to make a difference in power. Many online sites available on these tests. And, many people who install these filters see lifetime on the box and think that this means "maintenance free", which is not the case. They have to be cleaned and re-oiled when they get dirty, which, in my opinion they get dirty more quickly than paper filters because of the oil used is sticky. Some people say they see an increase in mileage, which just doesn't make sense. Here's why: These filters supposedly create more power by INCREASING airflow, therby INCREASING fuel flow! If you increase fuel flow to increase power, you don't get BETTER fuel mileage...just doesn't work that way. If you are really interested in this subject, do some research. It is quite interesting, and you will see there are MANY advertising myths behind these "lifetime" filters. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking them, I actually use them in my quad. They just aren't all they are made out to be.

[KC's]

Re: K&N question??

i use to market it
a good product, reusable & need interval cleaning & re oil it to protect the filter elements

[RS-Kwong]

Re: K&N question??

i use it. no difference just a better intake sound...

[CumminsCrazed]

Re: K&N question??

The most important thing about K&N's is to not over-oil them. It will wreak havoc on your mass air flow sensor.

Also, if you have a turbo vehicle, DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT use ANY kind of oiled air filter in it. Once you hit any decent boost number, it will suc the oil right out of the filter and coat the turbo/fins, which in turn makes the filter lose all its filtering ability (oil is its filtering ability, hence why it gets dirty so fast) and then the turbo becomes the sticky "filter" and it WILL eventually TAKE OUT the turbo, which is a VERY expensive fix. Heres a picture of a turbo that was used in conjunction with a K&N Filter. (not from my truck)

[dietoremain]

Re: K&N question??

Also, if you have a turbo vehicle, DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT use ANY kind of oiled air filter in it. Once you hit any decent boost number, it will suc the oil right out of the filter and coat the turbo/fins, which in turn makes the filter lose all its filtering ability (oil is its filtering ability, hence why it gets dirty so fast) and then the turbo becomes the sticky "filter" and it WILL eventually TAKE OUT the turbo, which is a VERY expensive fix. Heres a picture of a turbo that was used in conjunction with a K&N Filter. (not from my truck)

You beat me to exactllyy what I was going to say. K&N is by no means good for any turbo app. Especially considering how much air my 7.3 ***** in. Im running a wix drop in at the moment(best 35 bucks i spent such great material) im gonna do a DIY intake soon with a napa 6637 filter probably. ... but ya avoid oiled in general its not the best.

[cnfowler]

Re: K&N question??

I'm a master certified ford technician. I've actually done quite a bit of research on this subject. In a nutshell, in a stock vehicle you will see no difference. They (auto industry) have done many different types of flow tests comparing OEM paper filters to aftermarket types like K@N. There really is not much flow difference between the two, especially not enough to make a difference in power. Many online sites available on these tests. And, many people who install these filters see lifetime on the box and think that this means "maintenance free", which is not the case. They have to be cleaned and re-oiled when they get dirty, which, in my opinion they get dirty more quickly than paper filters because of the oil used is sticky. Some people say they see an increase in mileage, which just doesn't make sense. Here's why: These filters supposedly create more power by INCREASING airflow, therby INCREASING fuel flow! If you increase fuel flow to increase power, you don't get BETTER fuel mileage...just doesn't work that way. If you are really interested in this subject, do some research. It is quite interesting, and you will see there are MANY advertising myths behind these "lifetime" filters. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking them, I actually use them in my quad. They just aren't all they are made out to be.

I highly disagree with these statements. Just ask any diesel owner that has a programmer installed. More horsepower can increase fuel mileage because the engine doesn't have to work as hard at a given speed. My father is proof positive. He has an '03 Duramax. After doing intake, exhaust, and programmer his towing mileage went up almost 25% (from 10.5 mpg to 12.5) and his unloaded mileage went up from 16-17 around town to almost 20. His unloaded highway mileage went from a best of 23mpg to 26.5mpg. He doesn't use the onboard computer; he hand calculates every tank.

Colin

[dietoremain]

Re: K&N question??

I highly disagree with these statements. Just ask any diesel owner that has a programmer installed. More horsepower can increase fuel mileage because the engine doesn't have to work as hard at a given speed. My father is proof positive. He has an '03 Duramax. After doing intake, exhaust, and programmer his towing mileage went up almost 25% (from 10.5 mpg to 12.5) and his unloaded mileage went up from 16-17 around town to almost 20. His unloaded highway mileage went from a best of 23mpg to 26.5mpg. He doesn't use the onboard computer; he hand calculates every tank.

Colin

Agreed.. i've seen many a chipped 7.3 getting way better fuel mileage(custom tunes not some crappy plug in chip)
Its proven..
I managed to get 14.9 mpg last tank cuz i've been dumping 2 stroke oil in her cuz the ULSD is **** and doesnt lubricate anything. Before i was gettin 14.5 it helped not to mention I should have got less with how much i towed...

[the_invisible]

Re: K&N question??

cumminscrazed I don't think oiled filter is the sole reason for the turbo gum up. I think over-oiling may be. Are you sure it's not a leaky turbo seal that's causing the gunk in the turbine? It's very common for non-ball bearing turbines to leak a little oil out of the oil-suspended turbo seal.

I used oiled filter in turbo charged vehicles all the time. You should be more concerned with oil gumming the MAF sensor than the turbos. The turbos could hardly be affected by some oil residue.

The only reason I use K&N in some of my cars is because OEM is too expensive. Installing a clean K&N filter into the car makes a difference if the old OEM filter is dirty.

[manwgn]

Re: K&N question??

I put the K&N Typhoon cold air intake in the Mazdaspeed and i felt a better pull for sure. It also sounds real nice to hear the whistle of the intake because its not in the engine bay but underneath in the fender well so i know its cold air.