K & N air engine filters

[alpha_1976]

I was thinking of buying for our cars and then I saw this

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

Is it really that bad? All the reviews that I saw on Amazon etc are pretty good. I am sure there must be many users here so please share.

[aznlunatic206]

I had one in mine for a good 2 years and never had any issues and loved it until i switched to a cold air intake. I have it for sale in the for sale section since i dont have any use for it anymore.

[WilliamM2]

I put a K&N on my Kawasaki ZX-11D motorcycle. On the Dyno, HP dropped by 6. The bike also ran too rich after that. Other ZX-11 owners reported the same issue.

Not saying that all their filters lose power, but it does go to show tat they don't do much R&D.

And K&N's don't filter as well either.

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

[sedantic]

I've had a K&N on my 300ZX for about a year now and haven't had any problems. Don't have any dyno results but throttle response did pick up -a bit-. I did get about 2-3MPG more with it though. I just put a K&N filter in my 03 Camry and haven't noticed too much. About 1MPG depending on traffic. I really bought it for the (slight) increase in MPG I assumed I would get and that it's a serviceable filter.

[HotRod53]

I have one in my Tacoma and one on my hotrod. IMO, don't buy one for performance, buy one to save money in the long run if it makes sense to you.

K&N recently dropped the price by almost 1/2 on the recharger kit from $20 to almost $10. It will be the last filter you buy but it makes sense to keep a slightly used paper filter to stick in while yours dries after cleaning.

There are also AirHogs and Green filters that are cheaper. AirHogs claim soap and water cleanup. K&N recharger kits use a sodium hydroxide solution.

[lalojamesliz]

I've had one in every car I've had (7 total) and I've never had any problems if you keep them somewhat clean and don't oil them too much you will be good. Its also a good idea to keep the mass air flow sensor clean when using this filter

[arabianobsession]

I've also had one in every car I've owned, and my Camry has had one in it for the past 22,000 miles. I have no issues and clean it about every 10,000 miles when I notice it start to get dirty. Also, after I clean it I let it sit for an hour or so in case there is any extra oil anywhere.

Bought it to save money on filters, way more economical this way

[BlackCamSe]

My Camry had a k&n Sri intake for over 90k miles and never had an issue. UOA showed little to no silicate in the oil meaning the filter was doing its job. Nuff said.

[ktr]

Don't expect any performance or fuel economy gains using a K&N air filter. Toyota R&D put more time and money in optimizing a single stock intake system then K&N has ever did with their entire lineup of products. The increased air flow of a K&N is neglectable and at the cost of poorer filtration and particulate capacity. Personally, I don't find K&N filters a cost (time and money) saver either. For my TCH, I can get 4 Wix air filters (each good for ~30K miles) for the price of 1 K&N air filter and recharge kit (good for ~10K miles per recharge).

[ctran503]

Originally Posted by ktr

Don't expect any performance or fuel economy gains using a K&N air filter. Toyota R&D put more time and money in optimizing a single stock intake system then K&N has ever did with their entire lineup of products. The increased air flow of a K&N is neglectable and at the cost of poorer filtration and particulate capacity. Personally, I don't find K&N filters a cost (time and money) saver either. For my TCH, I can get 4 Wix air filters (good for ~30K miles) for the price of 1 K&N air filter and recharge kit (good for ~10K miles per recharge).

depends on what your using for price? regular price or a sale/discounted price. I for one have never paid more that $25 for a K&N filter(with a retail of around $50). I never noticed more MPG or horse power but i can say that having a re-usable filter is always nice.

[arabianobsession]

Plus it's a bit easier on the environment. Not a tree hugger but it's nice to take it easy on Mother Nature once in awhile.

[WilliamM2]

Originally Posted by arabianobsession

Plus it's a bit easier on the environment. Not a tree hugger but it's nice to take it easy on Mother Nature once in awhile.

Paper filters are biodegradable, and they don't need to be OILed. Besides, I'll need maybe 3 to 4 filters for the entire time I own my car. Environmental savings not found.

[sedantic]

Originally Posted by WilliamM2

Paper filters are biodegradable, and they don't need to be OILed. Besides, I'll need maybe 3 to 4 filters for the entire time I own my car. Environmental savings not found.

K&N filters are made of cotton fabric, also biodegradable. You're also only paying for one filter made with foam and plastic rather than four. So, I'd say you're at the very least breaking even.

[jbrnigan]

The K&N filter debate rages on every automotive forum I have ever visited. Every argument is EXACTLY the same! The same test results are cited. I only wish K&N filters had been MY idea. Maybe K&N is a cult thing. Yep, all three of my cars sport K&N filters. The two Toyota's have K&N cabin air filters (modified from a dodge Durango panel filter). If you like'em, buy'em. If ya don't, don't.

[mrfat]

I personally never found them to be of any benefit. No increase in MPG and no discernible increase throttle response or anything else. Too inconvenient for me to have to clean as I'd rather just toss in a paper filter.