K&N filters

[Maw__Jim___Jake]

Are the K&N air filters worth it?
Tanks

[pnichols]

FWIW, on my 4X4 pickup I don't even trust it's K&N filter to keep dust well enough out of the engine. I install an optional K&N ultra-fine filter sock over the main K&N filter. The filter sock comes off when I'm out of the dust and back onto regular roads.

[tpi]

There's some indication the KN may increase HP by a couple at the top few hundred RPM of the range in something like the V10 stock airbox. Glue the throttle to the floor, it could have a couple more HP in the split second before each WOT upshift. If you don't drive like that you probably won't notice any power increase. It certainly won't improve fuel economy under any objective measure. Stick with the stock filter.

[4x4van]

I've used K&N filters on my off-road motorcycles and ATVs for 40 years. They are, without equal, (when properly maintained/cleaned/oiled) the best there is in the desert. Period. And there is no worse conditions that that. I used to race desert, in dust/silt conditions that were so bad that you could not see 10 feet in front of you. Never a single problem with anything getting through the filter into the intake tract over the course of decades of use. Additionally, I could run a full 6 hour race on a single filter because of the 10X more surface area than a standard foam type filter. Any other filter would clog half way through the race. I also ran one on my Toyota 4x4 van, used as a daily commuter AND often off-road for 15 years. Almost 400,000 miles with no issues (tranny finally gave out, not engine). BTW, I never had an issue with the MAF sensor either, but I've known for years the proper way to "recharge" K&Ns.

I still use them on my ATVs and M/C's. On a street vehicle, there are most likely overkill without a full intake system (if you are looking for performance/mpg gains), but if you are running offroad, there is nothing that compares. And of course, over the long term they DO save money as opposed to replacing paper filters every 6-12 months; that's simple math.

There is a reason that 90% of the top desert racers use K&N (and have for for decades). There is a reason that 90% of the $100K+ buggies in the sand dunes run K&N. And it certainly isn't because they let large particles through (they don't; in order to finish first, a desert racer must first finish), or that they clog quickly (in fact, in real use they last much longer before clogging than oiled foam filters because of their increased surface area)! I can go a full season (3-5 trips) at Glamis without cleaning my K&N; the one bike I have that still runs a foam filter needs cleaning every single trip (and it actually gets less use than my others). The "pre-filter" cover commonly used on K&N filters are not to increase the filtering ability, but rather to increase the time frame even more between needed cleaning (which is already longer than a typical oiled foam filter) by keeping the larger particles off the oiled gauze surface.

I don't put alot of faith in those supposed "studies" because I have 40 years of experience actually using the product. Instead, ask the people who have 10s of thousands of dollars into their high performance engines and can't afford filter related engine damage, and you'll get the real scoop.

[Travelcrafter]

It's obvious pnichols that you have a problem with K&N filters but if your scratching your head over my reply maybe you should re read it. I mentioned Maintenance twice in the portion you highlighted.

[Desert_Captain]

pnichols wrote:

Travelcrafter wrote:
I don't plan on any mods like the K&N but one thing I do like about them is all you have to do is look at it so, maybe in the long run by being easy to check and maintain they get better maintenance.

:h

I thought that K&N filters required maintenance? The one on my pickup requires re-oiling periodicaly - messy, more money (for the special K&N oil), and more work than a high quality paper filter. The V10 in our motorhome really prefers the Ford paper filter.

Everything on an RV requires maintenance (especially those "Maintenance Free" - what an oxymoron, batteries). :B

One bottle of K&N recharging oil (for of lack of a better term), has lasted me years and is still half full. Recharging/oiling takes all of about 30 seconds after I rinse the filter with a garden hose. I have found a couple of spritzes with the pump sprayer isn't messy at all.

I tend to recharge my K&N about every 10 to 12,000 miles, which more than they call for but Tucson is one of the dustiest locations in the country. After a few years I am money ahead over the cost of quality paper filters and the savings will continue as long as I own (and properly maintain) the K&N.

:C

[pnichols]

Travelcrafter wrote:
I don't plan on any mods like the K&N but one thing I do like about them is all you have to do is look at it so, maybe in the long run by being easy to check and maintain they get better maintenance.

:h

I thought that K&N filters required maintenance? The one on my pickup requires re-oiling periodicaly - messy, more money (for the special K&N oil), and more work than a high quality paper filter. The V10 in our motorhome really prefers the Ford paper filter.

[Travelcrafter]

I run a K&N on my Lincoln LS more because I got tired of stripping two layers of skin off my fingers every time I checked my O.E.M filter.I have around 120,00 miles with no Problem. I know a lot of aftermarket car builders like Rouch, Shelby, and others use similar products as well as Ford performance and it doesn't void their OEM warranty so I feel comfortable using it. I don't use them on any other vehicle I own. My class C is a 1978 on a 1977 C-30 chassis with only 19,980 miles on it and runs like it. I don't plan on any mods like the K&N but one thing I do like about them is all you have to do is look at it so, maybe in the long run by being easy to check and maintain they get better maintenance.

[ron_dittmer]

I find most comfort in using the standard pleated paper filters and change them before we leave on the next big trip which is about every 5000 miles. They are really good for 10,000 miles unless visiting places like Monument Valley. After a visit there with our first rig, our next stop was to purchase a new air filter. Our little Toyota engine compartment looked like it was spray painted a stone red.

[tsetsaf]

There are newer non-oil type air filters out there. They are like knn with better airflow but don't throw oil into your air intake parts.

[jfkmk]

timmac wrote:


Yes I did think about my post, as to dusty at lake yes it is, the air will still have dust, yes much less than driving down the road but still plenty of dust around, go down to your local marina and look at boats that have been sitting for a few months and see the dust built up on them.

.

Yes, perhaps if you let a boat sit at a marina for a couple of months it will gather some dust. Of course, marinas are built along the shore line (next to land where dirt and dust abound) and most boaters use their boats and run their engines in more open water. Also, think about the dirt accumulation that would be on a car if you let it sit on the side of a highway for the same amount of time. You just can't compare the two.

[Rolin]

Put a K&N on my 2 year old ford f150. Straight out of the box...assume that K&N oiled it correctly. Did not see any improvement is mpg or in performance. Liked the sound though. Pickup was a daily driver and used to pull a travel trailer.

In about 4000 miles it would hardly run. Had to have it towed to the Ford garage. MASS air flow sensor replaced for $$$$. Found later that I could have cleaned it but didn't know what the problem was. Took the K&N off and tossed it. After that I drove the f150 for 50k miles with no problems.

If you are mechanically inclined you can clean the oil off of the MASS. I didn't find any benefit to using the K&N and standard filters are not that expensive.

Your experience may be different...

[Hank85713]

Back in 1999 I spoke to the folks at Gibson exhaust company about the truck I had. They made 2 recommendations, 1 was for their cat back system (no brainer there) 2 to install a K&N at the same time. I did both, later I installed a better ignition system and the truck ran fine. I finally fabbed up one of the FIPK filter systems and that is what was on the truck until sold. I also run one on my 94 ranger, it has been on for over 200000 miles and the truck still runs fine and I dont clean it as often as they say so thats it. My son runs one on his F150 without any issues.

There are pros-cons to everything. It has been proven that the mafs do not fail due to the use of the oil on them, that was an issue many supposedly had, but as admitted to by some here it had to do with improper oiling! MAFS will fail, I had one go out on the ranger, no oil residue or anything in the tract they just sometimes fail. If you want to use one use it, but, remember they have to be fed and cared for appropriately. A lot of the new veh's have superior air filters (ford diesels in particular), but note they have limits to which they work. Aftermarkets use the K&N style some wet some not. SO pick what you want and go from there. Remember there are posters here pn these boards that say the OEMs make the very best and that the veh's cannot be improved by the aftermarket! So whatever you ask for, take responses with a grain of salt as that is really what they are worth

[Ductape]

Lots of people like cool-ade. You can scientifically demonstrate that juice is better, but some will still prefer Tang. It's a free country.

I stay with OEM style FWIW. I have personally witnessed dusted engines damaged while using oiled filters. I rode the same trails with the same model no harm done. Coincidence? Maybe.

[timmac]

jfkmk wrote:

timmac wrote:


Lab test are that just lab test, in the real world it does not work like that..



Ever wonder how a outboard boat motor can last 30 years without a air filter, there is even some antique ones still running good after all these years without a air filter, someone needs to call Mercury marine and show them this lab test, maybe they will start putting paper filters on outboards.

:R

Lab tests are crucial to emulate real world scenarios. If they didn't reflect reality they wouldn't be required for a lot of products.

As far as boats go, did you really think about that statement before posting it? Have you seen too much dusty water?

Yes I did think about my post, as to dusty at lake yes it is, the air will still have dust, yes much less than driving down the road but still plenty of dust around, go down to your local marina and look at boats that have been sitting for a few months and see the dust built up on them.

So many false claims about the K&N, it collects enough dust to still keep your motor clean even beyond 200,000 miles.