Air filters

[mriz]

Are those high flow air filters as good as they say . Before I put one in the Dakota and mazda I was wondering if anyone had any feedback on them.

[Virto]

Like K&N or Fram?

They do work a bit better, since they're generally better flowing than OEM paper or cotton filters. They are, in a lot of cases however, pretty expensive, in the range of 50-100 bucks depending on the application.

Overall, you won't really see much of a benefit unless you're running WOT at high RPMs. Straight intakes and to a lesser degree, drop in high-flow filters tend to produce benefits at high RPM, and there's often times a reduction in low end torque.

However, depending on how dusty/nasty your climate and daily miles are, they can be worth the money just because you can reuse them after cleaning...although in experience, when you choose to clean them, don't plan on going anywhere that day because they need to dry completely before you oil them.

[LanceM]

I take it you are talking about K&N type of filters, oiled cloth type. I have one on my truck and on my Z's triple webers. Worth it or better than paper, well there's a lot of debate. The one on my truck I got at a JY for $5, it was like new, still red (they turn black with age), on the Z that's what came with the carb set.

Really all in all I don't think there is much of a difference, OK so they may flow more air, how often do you demand Maximum airflow through the system?? For their cost you can by a lot of paper filters over the life of the car...

[mriz]

Probably not worth it for me then . Thanks.

[lordbiotree]

For a daily driver I'm more focused on filtration vs airflow.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm

[hls30.com]

That was a great article.

WIll

[cremmenga]

I have k&n in both my 99 camaro and my 76 firebird. I do think it actually helps. Like mentioned above I think i had to pay like amost $100 for one and 70 some for the other. but it can breath better and it has a million mile warrenty! I just clean mine once a year with the k&n cleaning kit and call it good! I think it adds up to 10 more horsies too!

[sblake01]

I always view claims like 'adds an extra 10 hp' with some skepticism. I use K&N drop in filters in my Z and my 810 mainly because they can be cleaned and reused. Not because of any horsepower claims. Notice that they claim better air flow but they don't really mention filtration in their ads. That's because they don't filter any better than a good quality paper filter. Maybe they flow more air but that alone won't give you any kind of noticable horsepower increase. Use whatever filter you like but don't let the manufacturers claims be your main focus. They're all in business to sell but they all can't be the best.

[cremmenga]

I always view claims like 'adds an extra 10 hp' with some skepticism. I use K&N drop in filters in my Z and my 810 mainly because they can be cleaned and reused. Not because of any horsepower claims. Notice that they claim better air flow but they don't really mention filtration in their ads. That's because they don't filter any better than a good quality paper filter. Maybe they flow more air but that alone won't give you any kind of noticable horsepower increase. Use whatever filter you like but don't let the manufacturers claims be your main focus. They're all in business to sell but they all can't be the best.

This is all true, but they do have superior air flow compared to other filters, and this means more horsies and in fact in some cases it is a noticable change! if you think about it 10hp for just changing to a different air filter is a hell of alot of hp. and cheap hp at that.

[montoya_fan01]

chris:

where is this claim of 10hp coming from? I don't see anything on K&N's website making the claim.

If the engine itself cannot process (mix the proper amount of fuel, burn it efficiently, and dispose of it), then any airflow capability is wasted.

I'd like to see a set of dyno slips that document the HP difference with/without K&N, w/ stock filter, and w/ no filter on a stock engine.

[cremmenga]

chris:

where is this claim of 10hp coming from? I don't see anything on K&N's website making the claim.

If the engine itself cannot process (mix the proper amount of fuel, burn it efficiently, and dispose of it), then any airflow capability is wasted.

I'd like to see a set of dyno slips that document the HP difference with/without K&N, w/ stock filter, and w/ no filter on a stock engine.

the 10 hp caim from some magazine i was reading, cant remember which one it was, but it claimed up to 10hp gain. and as far as liking to see the dyno slips that document the hp differences you can request them from the K&N company.

[lordbiotree]

From what I've studied the K&N type air filters do flow more air. Not much more than any paper filter. Only a few thousands more than the conventional paper .

They help for those with High end race cars. Where every bit of air the engine can get is needed.