Attention Gearheads: K&N Airfilters, Yea or Nay?

[Brad]

They're supposed to boost fuel efficiency and horsepower.

Do any of you all use these? If yes, what are your thoughts?

 

[A Canuker]

I use them. Don't know if they do improve power or fuel but they last ages and that alone saves cash.

 

[yachtie]

I have one on a mildly built smallblock Impala. Good product.

 

[Artisan Fan]

They are the best according to my car buddies...

 

[Renault78law]

Marginal improvement, if any. Make sure to keep it clean and don't use too much oil.

 

[A Y]

What car do you drive? Ix nay on highly tuned modern engines as it will worsen performance and shorten engine life.

--Andre

 

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

What car do you drive? Ix nay on highly tuned modern engines as it will worsen performance and shorten engine life.

--Andre

I drive a 2002 E55 AMG. I take this engine falls into the modern, highly-tuned category you're talking about?

 

[whodini]

Originally Posted by A Canuker

I use them. Don't know if they do improve power or fuel but they last ages and that alone saves cash.
+1. A drop-in filter won't change much other than not having to replace the filter as often. A small "quick" improvement would be a short ram intake like this:

I remember taking my car to a QuikLube as I didn't have time to take it to my regular mechanic. Of course, they did an "inspection" and give "recommendations" on what should be changed or fixed. The radiator fluid needed to be flushed (did it two weeks before) and that my three month old K&N filter was "dirty" and needed to be replaced. Those places are such a scam.

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by Brad

I drive a 2002 E55 AMG. I take this engine falls into the modern, highly-tuned category you're talking about?

Yes. With an engine like that, I would not touch a K&N filter with a 10-foot pole. If you do want to use one, you have to really keep on top of the maintenance of the filter.

--Andre

 

[visionology]

I know that K&N can be hit or miss depending on your specific car. Some cars get more out of a filter upgrade than others depending on how restrictive their current system is.

If you really want a performance boost I would look at a filter + ECU upgrade from Renntech or from another Mercedes Tuner. Will probably boost fuel efficiency too.

 

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

Yes. With an engine like that, I would not touch a K&N filter with a 10-foot pole. If you do want to use one, you have to really keep on top of the maintenance of the filter.

--Andre

Thanks for the advice. I'll stay with the OEM. What deleterious effect does it have on a high-performance engine?

 

[visionology]

Filter maintenance isn't that difficult really. I have a pop charger in mine and I remove it in the spring, wash it off, dry, and reoil. Then repeat the next year. Unless you live in dusty conditions or with lots of sediment it doesn't need any more.

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by Brad

Thanks for the advice. I'll stay with the OEM. What deleterious effect does it have on a high-performance engine?

The aerodynamics of a high-performance engine's intake is highly optimized. You can't just change a filter and expect things to get better on those kinds of engines. People who have done flow tests on these filters found them indistinguishable from stock, and sometimes they performed worse. They always perform worse for filtering grit, and their airflow drops if you don't keep on top of their maintenance.

The biggest difference cold-air intakes make is the sound you hear from the intake. It's not hard to mistake that for more performance.

If you really want to optimize the performance of your car, go to a track school. Not only will you learn skills that you can take with you to any car you own in the future (unlike mods done to an existing car), but after a few schools, you'll get a better idea of what areas of improvement truly apply to your car.

--Andre

 

[BrettChaotix]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

The aerodynamics of a high-performance engine's intake is highly optimized. You can't just change a filter and expect things to get better on those kinds of engines. People who have done flow tests on these filters found them indistinguishable from stock, and sometimes they performed worse. They always perform worse for filtering grit, and their airflow drops if you don't keep on top of their maintenance.

The biggest difference cold-air intakes make is the sound you hear from the intake. It's not hard to mistake that for more performance.

If you really want to optimize the performance of your car, go to a track school. Not only will you learn skills that you can take with you to any car you own in the future (unlike mods done to an existing car), but after a few schools, you'll get a better idea of what areas of improvement truly apply to your car.

--Andre

Close thread - 'nuff said!

 

[aXis888x]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

What car do you drive? Ix nay on highly tuned modern engines as it will worsen performance and shorten engine life. --Andre
this isnt totally true, if you find an intake that was designed for the car it will improve performance and efficiency bu it will make your car louder because generally aftermarket intakes arent covered up. but with a E55 AMG you would have to find something a bit better than K&N since K&N doesnt usually make stuff for cars that nice, they tend to focus on civics and mustangs. if you want an intake that would actually do something i would look into the GruppeM intake system, its suppose to give you 10-20hp. its a ram air system made out of all carbon fiber, very well designed. http://www.racingambitions.com/catal...b954b0ad35d2f2 http://www.gruppem.co.jp/en/product/...plication.html

btw, GruppeM also makes a nice supercharger for the e55

you know you want it