K&N filters

RayChez wrote:
Need your opinion.

I am at the FMCA rally at Indio and there is a vender selling K&N washable air filters for big diesel coaches, plus this includes installation of a Aero exhaust system. They claim the engine will run a lot cooler plus increasing the horse power by 60 HP. Also a new tail pipe.

So is this a good product to install. I am showing great interest. Would like to hear from others that have installed such a system.

Ray

Well Ray,
First off, I've had the "Aero 5050XL" stainless muffler now for about 2 years. We're running an Itasca Horizon, 36GD with the C-7 330 CAT. I've ran this coach up and down a whole series of grades, towing ever inch of the way. If there was any power increase after the installation, it's seriously minimal. And, I don't know how you feel about noise but, at least in my engine/coach, it's now about 50% louder than it was with the stock muffler.

IRV2 has a serious debate on it right now about that muffler. About 95% of the folks that have installed it, say there's very little, if any, difference in power. Some say there's little increase in noise but, as stated, on mine, it's way louder than it was stock. If you like noisy driving or, your wife does, than by all means, jump on it. But, if you like quiet, that muffler's not all it's cracked up to be.

As for the K&N, that debate has been going on since the beginning of time. On just about every forum I've ventured into, be it, motor home, motor cycle, Jeep, Boat and more, about 99.999999% of the folks in those forums will not waste their money. The stock air cleaner does flow quite enough for those engines. The effort of taking that filter out, cleaning it, oiling it, and all that, is not worth any gain which, for all intent and purpose, is very, very tiny, to say the least.

Countless tests have been performed on the K&N, in controlled environments and the results are always the same, not worth the money.

As for your coach/engine running cooler, your engine is programmed to run at a given temp, based on the thermostat, the ECM and more. That filter and muffler will not do a thing to it's running temps. Your choice.
Scott

I vote no on the K&N.

Had one and saw no improvement.

K & N is a great product for a race car but not for a family vehicle. sure they let more air in but in doing so they let in more dirt, don't let them tell you any thing different. we ran them on our race car but we tore the engines down several times a season and make the corrections for the car. you as a non racer vehicle, I don't think you want to tear down a diesel or family gasser every year and do an over haul.

ArchHoagland wrote:
I vote no on the K&N.

Had one and saw no improvement.

I believe the op is talking about the K&N replacement filter not any sort of intake so it's not supposed to give you more horsepower...... Your supposed to be able to clean the K&N and not have to replace it like a stock one. It's there air intake systems that they them self only claim a few horsepower. It's the donkeys selling the product that insist on saying it will give you 50 horses!

RayChez wrote:
Need your opinion.

I am at the FMCA rally at Indio and there is a vender selling K&N washable air filters for big diesel coaches, plus this includes installation of a Aero exhaust system. They claim the engine will run a lot cooler plus increasing the horse power by 60 HP. Also a new tail pipe.

So is this a good product to install. I am showing great interest. Would like to hear from others that have installed such a system.

Ray

Look at the HP claim closely. I don't remember anyone saying a definite 60HP gain. They usually skirt the truth issue by saying "UP TO" a 60 HP gain which means that only a 1 HP gain meets their claim.
I wouldn't spend my money on it.

It is the water washable filter and not the Oiled one. So if you are looking for a cost savings (3 replacement filters) then this produce is good. As a power increase overall. I do not believe it will happen. I know the company you are referring to. They sold the same items at a rally in Casa Grande in April of 2013.

its just hipe stay with org equipt , a K@n clogged up my mass air sensor one time. dealer could wipe his hand on the inside on the intake air pipe and came out soaked in oil.

I wouldn't go for it. The washable filter doesn't give any more horsepower and it sounds like that Aero system is questionable as well.

Go to your Cat dealer. They should be able to bump up that 330 to a 350. Muffler yes would never run a K&N in anything.

This test says it all.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm