Another Car Guy Question,...are K&N Filters Really Worth it?

warwick.hoy · #1 09-17-2010, 12:08 PM

It's not time to change my air filter yet, but I'm was hoping to gather opinions on K&N Filters. I know you can clean them as opposed to replacing them which is cool I guess.

I'm not really looking for any power gains,...a bit better airflow/efficiency I find attractive,...but I don't see how you really achieve that without removing the filter box and replacing it with a cheesy intake?

Is it really worth it to put a K&N filter on a car that is approaching 200,000 miles (has had regular service,...ready to put another 200k on it)?

HaPpYfAcE · #2 09-17-2010, 12:19 PM

it replaces the factory filter element with one that still does the same job but flows better. if your car is equipped with a MAF (mass air flow) sensor, then i'd reconsider putting it in. the oil that's used on the filters has caused problems with this sensor for some folks.

i've used those filters on my cars in the past and it seems to help a little. it's not a whole lot, but perhaps the cost over time helps to make it worthwhile.

and it wouldn't be TB w/o a YMMV included in there somewhere. pun intended, btw.

Yerf Dog · #3 09-17-2010, 12:19 PM

Not looking for power gains on a 200k car? I'd skip it.

I've been running one on my Vette for over 10 years now with no issues.

mid_life_crisis · #4 09-17-2010, 12:25 PM

A drop-in K&N filter will give a minor increase in both mileage and power. Of course, I wouldn't be trying to take advantage of any power increase in a car with 200,000 miles on it. If you keep the car long enough, it will eventually pay for itself due to not having to keep buying replacements. I've been using them for ages.

warwick.hoy · #5 09-17-2010, 12:31 PM

FWIW the car runs really good for having as high mileage as it does. It's a CE-1 (5th Gen ie 1995) Honda Accord S/W. As I said I'm hoping it will last another 200,000 miles but at the rate I'm putting miles on it,...there body might rot out before the engine gives.

MJ5150 · #6 09-17-2010, 12:36 PM

Take the hood off. Instant HP increases to the wheels and the "cool" factor quadruples.

-Mike

hover · #7 09-17-2010, 12:38 PM

Not worth the coin, imo. Nor are the "vortex" tornado intake air swirler things.

Cosmo420 · #8 09-17-2010, 12:50 PM

They are worth it if you live in an area that is notoriously dusty. You can wash them and reuse them (instead of replacing them).

The performance gains you would see are negligible though, even on a new car.

bobba66 · #9 09-17-2010, 12:51 PM

I've got one on the Charger and the El Camino. No performance gain. They do look cool, though. Stock paper filters for the daily driver Dakota.

Let It Fall · #10 09-17-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmo420

They are worth it if you live in an area that is notoriously dusty. You can wash them and reuse them (instead of replacing them)..

They are NOT good for dusty areas. or any areas in general.

They improve horsepower by one way,
Increasing Flow.

They increase flow by one way,
Letting more air through

By letting more air though they also let more dust through. Tests have shown plus its common sense.

The oil CAN mess up MAF sensors, but its usually when PEOPLE over oil them.

As for your purpose, I would recommend against it. At 200,000m your car doesn't need any more dirt to pile up than it already has. Also depending on what car you have, Wether its worth it is totally up to you. However I wouldn't put it on a 1989 Corolla.

If your car is special. Consider removing the intake plenum Valve Covers and Heads to clean all the gunk off of everything and redo piston seals and replace or clean pistons.

XansNiceSweater · #11 09-17-2010, 03:35 PM

No. Not at all.
They filter just as bad - if not worse - than not having a filter at all. You'll probably pick up less than 1hp, too.
Decent filters are: Factory, NAPA Gold, AEM, Green, and AMSOil.

McHaven · #12 09-17-2010, 04:30 PM

Unrepresented · #13 09-17-2010, 04:42 PM

I've got one. Hasn't caused any problems with my MAF (although I've heard the same warning).

I like that it's paid for itself in replacement costs, and hopefully has decreased the waste associated with disposable filters on some tiny level.

Can't comment on HP gains, I'd imagine those would be negligible on most cars unless the filter is truly the lone bottleneck.

Let It Fall · #14 09-17-2010, 06:34 PM

Im not against one, I have used them and will agian. But the facts are..

Oil on MAF = BAD

More Flow = More Dirt

Wont give you a noticeable increase, hope for gas mileage.

Mike N · #15 09-17-2010, 07:01 PM

Regular paper filters are fine. I've back to backed K&N filters to paper filters to no filter at all and seen exactly zero difference at the track.

XigXag · #16 09-17-2010, 10:25 PM

MJ5150 · #17 09-17-2010, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

I've back to backed K&N filters to paper filters to no filter at all and seen exactly zero difference at the track.

Then you weren't driving fast enough. A K&N will give you 60 or more HP, easy.

-Mike

SurferJoe46 · #18 09-17-2010, 10:59 PM

If you engine has an O2 sensor (oxygen sensor) and a BMAP/MAP/BARO, then you can't make the computer allow more air without compensating by changing the mixture. FAIL.

If you worked on all the diesels and racing engines I have that had K&Ns in them and saw the damage they do to turbine blades on the fresh air side - in the turbo and the wear of the upper rings and resultant cylinder wear - you'd never put one on anything you owned. Second FAIL.

They cost too much for what they are worth. Fourth FAIL.

Then CAN screw up your MAF, if you have one. Fifth FAIL.

They WILL dirt-out your throttle body. turbo or supercharger or whatever is in the plenum with fine silt-y dirt that just loves to eat your engine up. Fifth FAIL.

You don't get something for nothing. ('You can fool some of the people all the time......etc,' P.T. Barnum)

You ECM won't let you get more air anyway; it's designed to run at a set ROM Air/Fuel Ratio.

Let It Fall · #19 09-17-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

If you engine has an O2 sensor (oxygen sensor) and a BMAP/MAP/BARO, then you can't make the computer allow more air without compensating by changing the mixture. FAIL.

You ECM won't let you get more air anyway; it's designed to run at a set ROM Air/Fuel Ratio.

Only two issues. With this.

The way there trying to increase Horse Power is by increasing intake air. If you can increase the MAXIMUM air-flow in then your car can add more fuel which will equal more boom.

Your right that the car keeps a certain air/fuel ratio but if you increase air being burnt then it will automatically increase gas being burnt. More Air = More Gas = More Horsepower. This is really only at WOT.

The only other issue with the theory of a drop in filter is that the intake size still stays the same, along with the exhaust. The stock intake with a better filter will give you about 0% of anything. If you want to Take in more air you have to put out more air. Thats why its important to upgrade exhaust if your looking for peak HP.

Tegzsa · #20 09-18-2010, 12:43 AM

If it's the filter that replaces your old filter box: it may even result in a drop in power if you don't supply it with a direct cold air supply. It's bad if it's going to be sucking in hot air from inside the engine bay.

You can get replacement filters that fit inside your existing box (Green, I think).