K&N Filters
 

I'm considering a K&N filter for my '88 MX-6 and wonder if they are worth the money for the proported increase in horsepower and fuel economy. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

they claim a rediculous horsepower gain... i'm really not sure where they get the validity to say so, but 99% of people will only experience a couple hp gain. but then again, it's not like it's that much more than a normal filter which you would have to pay for anyway. i think they are worth it for the most part just as good car care. it's just like wiper blades... you can buy quality blades and never have a problem with water or you can get normals ones that start to go in a month or so, if not sooner.

another to check out though is Accel Kool Blue filters. that's probably what i'm going to use when i get a new car (whatever that car may be) http://www.mrgasket.com/koolblue/

Re: K&N Filters
 

Man they are worth the money but I saw a filter on Trucks TV that you pay like 60 bucks(US) for but all you do is wash it out when it gets dirty then put it back in:)

K&N filters are also washable and reusable. They carry a warranty up to 10 year/100,000 miles, by which time I'd be looking into a new car anyway. I wouldn't buy one for a brand new car, but once your factory filter gets dirty, K&N is a good buy.

K&N Website

I dunno, even if they are re useable and you do re use them the max number of times it is stil expensive. Also On certain applications I highly doubt they benefit, but would the factory really leave them off if they added 10 HP to a 120 HP car? I doubt it. Now putting one on a 800 HP engine and gaining 10 hp over a wal mart paper filter, I could see how thats possible.

For $60 you could buy better preformance stuff , plus I think accel sells thier brand of "Preformance filer" for like half as much as a K&N and saposedly they flow more air. Plus ...its blue...how trick is that yo...

It really depends on your stock airbox and filter. I think you would at least want to put a cold air intake on when you put it on to get the benefit of cold air because if not you are just sucking in more hot air which is not dense.

I tried putting one on my car. The K&N book lists a circular filter for my car. Maybe if I pulled the airbox off I could manage a cone, but not circular. Then, the one theat they listed as an equivalent for the STP/Fram filters was too big. Didn't fit, couldn't make it fit. I have a paper filter in there now.

As for the power gains, the 10+ can happen if you have a cold air intake. Nice thought, but I'll take the 48 bucks.

Yes they're worth it - but to make them get the HP you must open things up. Find a Jap parts house or website and get a cold air induction. This will get rid of your airbox. It will also give you more air hence more HP. Now you should open up the exhaust. Research that as well. Loud doesn't always mean fast.
Now your car breaths better - more HP.

Also K & N's look cool

I have ran K&N filters for years. I have them on all my cars and my bike. I just like em because they do a good job of keeping the dirt out. I don't buy the horsepower claims but the air flow increase is so different that I had to jet my bike richer to use one.

I have a K&N filter on my 2001 Dakota in the factory air box and it has helped with my fuel millage some it gets me about an extra 10 or so miles to the tank on my V6. I think they are worth themoney because you can just wash them out and reuse them insted of buying paper ones. If you are looking for theHP they you need to invest in cold air induction and high flow exaust.

OK. I'm going to spring for the filter. Next ? How much can I expect the cold air induction and high flow exhaust to cost? Is this work something that a novice mechanic(me) do?

To edit my original post: the word should be purported and not proported. Sorry for butchering the English language.

Yeah thats if you own your car for 200,000 miles I doubt the majority of the population owns a car that long.

I don't own a vehicle with less than 150,000 miles on it. Could be the air filter and regular oil changes.

You need cold-air induction ($100-$250), a custom exhaust (careful research needs to be done on this), and headers. Horsepower will be great.

I use them on my drag car and my daily driver because both have cowl induction and my filters have a tendency to get filthy real quick. I end up cleaning and reusing my K&N about every 3 months or so. On the 'bu down at the garage, we picked up nearly a tenth when changing from a paper filter and flat base air cleaner to a k&n and a drop base cleaner.

Shit then I might just go spead the money then:hmm: :lol: :crazy:

K&Ns really do work. They are easy to care for and pay for themselves. The performance really depends on the car. With any intake and exhaust mods, a high flow filter will really shine. If nothing else, get a cold air intake kit with your K&N.

Don't get the K&N
 

Unless you live near the redline of your tachometer, it won't help, and it lets MORE dirt get through.

Test of the K&N filter

That was an informative link. I run a K+N, and I will continue using it even though it filters worse than paper. The performance gains for me out weigh that risk.

i heard the filter only makes a big diffrence like they claim when they are paired with heads and an intake system

well worth it. my talon stock dynoed at 6 hp more at the wheels. thats enough proof for me.

nice cheap upgrade... if you don't mind the deeper, throaty sound

Really? Have you tried using the filter recharger kit? It might just not be oiled properly if it's filtering worse then paper.

I definately recommend a K&N filter. I run a cold air intake and I have to clean the sucker about every two oil changes. Takes a couple hours to do (gotta let it dry), but it's worth it to always have a super clean filter whenever you need it. You know, every bit helps the night before hitting the tracks.

make sure you get a heat shield, otherwise it may not be all that it can be.

I have one in my vehicle, and my mechanic laughs at me everytime he pops the hood. He used to race rally cars in New Zealand and says that you are just throwing your money away...

I have an AEM cold air intake, I have better gas milage and a few more HP. I've had it for a year now. Works great.

Oh one more thing, if you do decide to get one (AEM CAI) make sure you get it with the bypass valve (helps against vaporlock) and change it once a year. I nearly sucked in the worn bypass in my engine.

Have you tested it on a dyno or does it just feel faster, cause feelings can be misleading.

not sold on the HP gain, but definatly affected mileage, put one in my girlfriends 2002 civic, increased the mileage by about 2 miles per gallon. I figured if I replace the filter every 12-15K at $12 a time, it will pay for itself in 4 changes???? add on the additional mpg, and it is a good idea. as far as pep, it sounds a little cooler, not too much difference.