Is there any actual point in replacing my standard set-up with a K&N air filter! Do they truly increase performance and decrease fuel consumption or is it a gimmick!
mugenb20b,
Jun 29, 3:52am
They make no difference, but are washable.
monaro17,
Jun 29, 3:56am
Oh, Thanks. It's about what I thought
offrd1,
Jun 29, 3:58am
Spot on.I've used them for years.its the washable bit i like,you are moreinclined to keep your filter clean if you are not buying a new filter each time
monaro17,
Jun 29, 4:01am
It's amazing how all the companies that sell them say that they give 15hp increases and 10% decreased fuel consumption as well as a better intake sound. They obviously don't reading the reviews
slarty45,
Jun 29, 4:15am
if too much oil added after washing can stuff up MAF sensor so I found the hard way yes used the correct stuff
monaro17,
Jun 29, 4:19am
Buggar
whqqsh,
Jun 29, 4:26am
I disagree, my T bucket had a huge hesitation when flooring it (thought maybe due to combinations of tunnel ram, carb, cam etc etc) but then noticed while sorting it out the hesitation wasnt there if bugcatcher & filter were'nt on, took out filter, fitted catcher again & all good. Tried a few different brands of filters & all with the same result. Splashed out on a K&N (not cheap as had to be ordered in & special type to fit Mr Gasket scoop) but worked just fine, never had that issue again.
unbeatabull,
Jun 29, 5:48am
End of the day, there is only so much air a N/A Engine can suck in. A clean stock filter will be made to meet those requirements, otherwise they will be making an unefficient engine that won't run as it should.
They main advantage is that it is washable, which is the main reason I use them as well.
Only ways to really improve the intake is to make a proper cold air intake setup - which most cars are very efficient at these days, or to force the air in there via Turbo/Supercharger!
mugenb20b,
Jun 29, 5:55am
Hey, fair enough. It's just that in my experience, they made no difference. I only used them in my 4WDs, as they were washable. And I had one fitted to an Escort Zetec motor by the previous owner. All it did was make a lot of noise, but no power gains or improvements in fuel economy.
zephyrheaven,
Jun 29, 6:34am
Much prefer a cardboard filter in a 4X4 for instance, K&N cant get down to the particulate microns & you throw them away after a big weekend - but on something like whqqsh's bucket - perfect
trogedon,
Jun 29, 6:42am
I put one on my motorbike because.um.it looked good.
sw20,
Jun 29, 7:03am
I have a K&N on my GT Corolla. Sounds really cool when TVIS opens lol
zephyrheaven,
Jun 29, 7:16am
TVIS just kicked in yo
sw20,
Jun 29, 7:18am
LOL it doesn't even go any faster when it opens either, it just makes noise
mugenb20b,
Jun 29, 7:27am
Oh, I also had a sock in the snorkel to catch all the trees and pigeons.
zephyrheaven,
Jun 29, 7:32am
I wouldnt mind one of those 'finer filter' prefilter thingys that sit over the snorkel hat - hmmm, notice a lot of trash in the airbox right next to the filter on VX
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 29, 9:14am
Fair enough but worth mentioning this is a bit of a special case. The T Bucket is carb'd, so the engine won't just compensate for the change in filter. Meaning you can actually make some difference to the mixture.
Its also worth noting that many people throw away or butcher the painstakingly designed factory cold air intake when fitting a K&N this also likely wasn't a factor in your case.
Not doubting your example, just saying its not a typical fitment.
whqqsh,
Jun 29, 9:20am
didnt know comments were limited to injected rather than carbed motors, just comments on increased performance which was the case in my experience & I just related that
supernova2,
Jun 29, 9:28am
K & N oiled elements sorta remind me of the foam filter on my lawn mower.For the average car i can't see any point at all.I'd bet your left one that most cars have the air filter changed/cleaned or whatever about once every ten years once they are out of factory warrantee.I'd doubt that a K&N tye would be working too well after 10 years with no servcing.How much is a K&n and its service kit anyway compared to a normal filter element!
franc123,
Jun 29, 9:43am
I'd be lucky to see one in every 80-100 cars I service, and even thats one too many, I think in modern cars with wire AFM's they are more a hinderance than an aid, in a workshop situation where people are paying for your time and expect an oil service to cost x dollars they are just a damn nuisance. If you are a person who does high kms in fairly dusty situations in an older car and DIY the servicing they then might be a money saver.
unbeatabull,
Jun 29, 10:07am
Most cars I work on go through Air Filters about every 2nd or 3rd service (12 month intervals), at around $50 for a factory filter. K&N Filter is about $100 so would pay for itself after 2 years.
And a lot of cars these days are moving away from AFM, MAF etc intake setups and going to Speed Density setups so oil on the wire isn't really a problem!
beart0y,
Jun 29, 10:41am
I have 1 on a rotary mower as a pre-filter on a small snorkel. It gets totally clogged so pleats are no longer seeable. If I wipe the inside of the snorkel with a clean white cloth it stays clean. The factory filter is in the housing and still clean after 9 yrs. Does this answer if they work! Yes they do. As for power increase- maybe in extreems only.
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