K&N: Why take filtercharger over drop-in filter?

[dELuX-4x4]

K&N makes a drop-in filter for our car and I noticed that people are going nuts installing the cone filters, is that correct or am I missing something?

The drop in K&N filter is $35 dollars online, I'm curious how much you guys are paying for the filtercharger kit?

[05XRunner]

the charger kit gets rid of that stock airbox for a straight tube to the throttle body and cone filter. they cost like 220-260bucks depending on where you buy

[dELuX-4x4]

I looked at the stock airbox and it looks just fine. I think the extra 200+ dollars is a total waste of money that produces no extra results in comparison to the drop-in. I've been using K&N and BMC filters for years now and in many applications where a drop-in is available in addition to a cone or even cold air system. The drop-in is always the cheapest and produces the same (sometimes better) results than a cone filter, regardless if it is short-ram or cold-air.

I'm gonna pick up the $35 drop-in filter and save myself over $200 dollars.

-Adam

[NJTacoma]

Make sure you remove the secondary air filter as well!

[10SE]

I got dumber reading this thread.

[55reasons]

Which part?

Cause we all know a K&N won't do anything for this truck except suck dirt through...

Oh, you mean the drop-in part?

BTW, if you ARE gonna put that crappy filter in your truck, don't take that advice about removing the secondary filter.

....You're gonna need it.

[drummerguy1584]

55reasons.. if not K&N, then which filter/intake would you suggest. I saw an ad for an intake system that has a no oil filter and is supposed to out-perform K&N.. but just curious as to what you would suggest.

[10SE]

Originally Posted by drummerguy1584

55reasons.. if not K&N, then which filter/intake would you suggest. I saw an ad for an intake system that has a no oil filter and is supposed to out-perform K&N.. but just curious as to what you would suggest.

He would suggest that you keep the stock intake intact. Because, Lord knows, there's no possible way any aftermarket company could engineer anything more effective than Toyota's stock intake tract.

[dELuX-4x4]

55reasons, your information is a bit skewed. I have countless years of experience with K&N and BMC and I have never seen any of their filters let anything through. The reason that they are superior to stock filters is because stock filters use paper and cheap composites. That is why they are replaced. Performance filters use advanced microfiber materials, heavy-duty rubbers, and space-age composites to allow better air flow through them. They are more durable and can be cleaned periodically and used. A quality filter will last the life of your car.

If you did your research you would know that in fact a K&N filter filters out MORE than a conventional air filter, especially when used in a drop-in solution that utilizes the stock airbox.

On the contrary, there are many intake 'kits' out there for imports and even domestics that feature cone-filters. Those cheap cone-filters are infact cheap and intended for looks alone. Those WILL let particles in occasionally. That is perhaps why you have this bad impression of aftermarket performance filters.

You can't go wrong with a K&N filter, just make sure you use the correct one.

[55reasons]

Originally Posted by dELuX-4x4

55reasons, your information is a bit skewed. I have countless years of experience with K&N and BMC and I have never seen any of their filters let anything through. The reason that they are superior to stock filters is because stock filters use paper and cheap composites. That is why they are replaced. Performance filters use advanced microfiber materials, heavy-duty rubbers, and space-age composites to allow better air flow through them. They are more durable and can be cleaned periodically and used. A quality filter will last the life of your car.

If you did your research you would know that in fact a K&N filter filters out MORE than a conventional air filter, especially when used in a drop-in solution that utilizes the stock airbox.

On the contrary, there are many intake 'kits' out there for imports and even domestics that feature cone-filters. Those cheap cone-filters are infact cheap and intended for looks alone. Those WILL let particles in occasionally. That is perhaps why you have this bad impression of aftermarket performance filters.

You can't go wrong with a K&N filter, just make sure you use the correct one.

Skewed? No. This topic has been exhausted about 100,000 times already so I'm not gonna waste my time again. If you're really interested, SEARCH. Even the URD guys will tell you that a K&N will do nothing for your truck.

Countless years of experience you say? You must be really old because I can count as high as my age.

I have plenty of experience with air filters, and have several other high performance "toys" that I have to protect. I don't know of ANY mechanic within 300 miles of my house that runs a K&N on their OWN equipment. That's fact.

Needless to say, I wrote off K&N filters FIFTEEN YEARS AGO after having bad luck with them.

K&N filters increase airflow because they have larger "holes", or a more passive membrane if you will. It is impossible to use that kind of filter without letting more dirt in. It has been proven over, and over, and over that K&N lets more dirt in.

And unless you have some dyno results that say otherwise, it doesn't improve performance on this truck either.

But whatever,..... use what you want. As for me, I have too much money tied up in all my toys to smoke another motor because of an air filter.. I live in the desert where "air filtration" is a serious thing, not just a "cool word"....

[lotust]

Originally Posted by dELuX-4x4

I looked at the stock airbox and it looks just fine. I think the extra 200+ dollars is a total waste of money that produces no extra results in comparison to the drop-in. I've been using K&N and BMC filters for years now and in many applications where a drop-in is available in addition to a cone or even cold air system. The drop-in is always the cheapest and produces the same (sometimes better) results than a cone filter, regardless if it is short-ram or cold-air.

I'm gonna pick up the $35 drop-in filter and save myself over $200 dollars.

-Adam

[55reasons]

Originally Posted by 10SE

Because, Lord knows, there's no possible way any aftermarket company could engineer anything more effective than Toyota's stock intake tract.

Define effective....

DYNO results show that you can remove ALL filters, intake tubing, and filter box assemblies and it wont add ANY HP AT ALL.

The air usage on this truck is not restricted by the filter. It's restricted by the air intake management. The stock air filter setup takes in more air than the engine uses already.

This is not a 3.4 guys. This is a whole new engine, with a whole new management system.


You buy a K&N, and you're buying snake oil.

[tacomadre]

55reasons, can you share your air intake setup? stock?

[55reasons]

I use the stock air intake setup with the exception of the airbox mod I did in the DIY section.


I have modified three stock airboxes to include the 3.4 era deckplate mod which boasted 5-7 hp on the 3.4... No matter what you do to the airbox / intake it will not increase performance of the 4.0.

I run the modified airbox in anticipation of an aftermarket air/fuel controller. If / when one becomes available, I will be able to pop out the plugs if needed to pull more air. I most likely won't even have to do that as the stock intake plumbing is huge already. Basically I run my modified airbox because after three modified ones, and testing on each, this one was the cleanest and most user friendly for the long haul and possible expansion needs. Plus, it uses the stock filter, which, contary to the BS you read about K&N, is a superior filtration element. And as dirty as my K&N filters used to get, between cleaners and K&N oil, the K&N was actually more expensive over the long haul than buying an OEM filter when needed. I used to have to clean / oil my K&N every week out here. I have yet to NEED a factory filter replacement with 10k on this truck.

Don't take my word for it. Dig around on some of the other Toyota sites and find ONE example of a K&N increasing performance on the 4.0.... With DYNO PROOF.

You wont. Simple as that.

[55reasons]

Originally Posted by 55reasons

This topic has been exhausted about 100,000 times already so I'm not gonna waste my time again.

I guess it's too late for that again!