K&n Air Filter - Claim To Add Hp

[lourdes_bautista2000]

I wonder if anyone out there has tried putting K&N Air Filter in their auto. Apparently there's a claim that it can increase horsepower and acceleration while providing excellent filtration.

 

The reason I asked this, is I'm envisioning of having one installed in my auto and will greatly appreciate if somebody can provide info and justify the so-called claims.

 

Inputs anyone?

[motorider]

K&N air filter, well in my case i have a motorcycle and absolutely it will help increase power... yun nga lang auto ata ang question mo siguro theres a guarantee that you can gain much speed that you need once installed a K&N...

 

much more pa pala alam ko sa motorsiklo mahal ang magpainstall nito at dami ring maintenance.... at siguro ganon din yun pagdating sa auto.

 

hope it helps kahit onti hehe

[Hezekiah]

I wonder if anyone out there has tried putting K&N Air Filter in their auto. Apparently there's a claim that it can increase horsepower and acceleration while providing excellent filtration.

 

The reason I asked this, is I'm envisioning of having one installed in my auto and will greatly appreciate if somebody can provide info and justify the so-called claims.

 

Inputs anyone?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I've used K&N air filters in most of my cars over the past few years. Either drop-in (replacement air filters the same size as your stock filter) or cone-type (you need to buy a new intake tube or have one fabricated out of stainless steel).

 

The advantages of K&N air filters is that they flow air better than the stock paper-type filters. The cotton gauze material is also very durable and is washable. You only need to buy a K&N "recharger" kit to wash and reoil the filter so in theory, you can use the same filter for the life of your vehicle.

 

Filtration is excellent for the amount of air it allows through, but in reality, filtration is worse than stock. Stock = restrictive = better filtration. K&N = a lot less restrictive = a bit less filtration. Nothing to worry about though. Just follow your engine's recommended maintenance schedule and you'll be fine. If you're worried about getting dirt inside your engine, look into buying an Apex'i filter. Best of both worlds. Flows as good as K&N and filters as good as stock. But they're more expensive than K&N filters.

 

After installation, the first thing you'll notice is better throttle response. You'll also get a nice noise from the air intake if you use a cone-type filter (the fast and furious crowd loves noise). By itself, horsepower increase is negligible (maybe 1 or 2 horses at the most). To get the most out of the filter upgrade, it's recommended that you replace the header as well as the exhaust system.

 

Cons? One danger is heatsoak. If you look at your stock airbox, you'll notice that it's made out of thick plastic and the air is sucked in through an opening either on the side of the engine bay or somewhere from the bottom. This way, the air you're getting is colder than the air circulating inside the engine bay. Cold air = good, hot air = bad. With a cone-type filter installed in the wrong place, the air the engine is getting might be coming from the hot engine bay. The result will be loss of power, the opposite of what you want to achieve with the upgraded filter. I've experienced this before. I've got the throttle pedal buried all the way to the floor and the car still won't accelerate. Sucks.

 

To overcome that, you can have a longer intake tube fabricated, with the filter now residing somewhere behind the front bumper and making sure there's adequate airflow in that location. This is what's called a CAI (cold air intake). Much better than having the filter near the engine. But there's another risk to this method: hydrolock. It's when water is sucked inside the engine through the CAI because you just crossed a heavily flooded street. The filter needs to be submerged completely in water before this will occur so it's not that big a deal (unless you love driving through Malabon during the rainy season).

 

Unless you're the fast and furious type, look into buying a drop-in K&N filter for your car. You get to keep the stock airbox and there's no risk of heatsoak and hydrolock. Less benefit compared to a cone-type filter but also less headaches in the long run (for a casual driver).

 

But if I were you, I'd go for a header upgrade first. Go to Mufflerland or ERL and have a mandrel-bent header fabricated for your car. 4-2-1 for more low- to mid-range grunt (better acceleration, great for city driving and overtaking), 4-1 for increased top-end (faster and smoother up high, great for highway driving).

[lourdes_bautista2000]

K&N air filter, well in my case i have a motorcycle and absolutely it will help increase power... yun nga lang auto ata ang question mo siguro theres a guarantee that you can gain much speed that you need once installed a K&N...

 

much more pa pala alam ko sa motorsiklo mahal ang magpainstall nito at dami ring maintenance.... at siguro ganon din yun pagdating sa auto.

 

hope it helps kahit onti hehe

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I've used K&N air filters in most of my cars over the past few years. Either drop-in (replacement air filters the same size as your stock filter) or cone-type (you need to buy a new intake tube or have one fabricated out of stainless steel).

 

The advantages of K&N air filters is that they flow air better than the stock paper-type filters. The cotton gauze material is also very durable and is washable. You only need to buy a K&N "recharger" kit to wash and reoil the filter so in theory, you can use the same filter for the life of your vehicle.

 

Filtration is excellent for the amount of air it allows through, but in reality, filtration is worse than stock. Stock = restrictive = better filtration. K&N = a lot less restrictive = a bit less filtration. Nothing to worry about though. Just follow your engine's recommended maintenance schedule and you'll be fine. If you're worried about getting dirt inside your engine, look into buying an Apex'i filter. Best of both worlds. Flows as good as K&N and filters as good as stock. But they're more expensive than K&N filters.

 

After installation, the first thing you'll notice is better throttle response. You'll also get a nice noise from the air intake if you use a cone-type filter (the fast and furious crowd loves noise). By itself, horsepower increase is negligible (maybe 1 or 2 horses at the most). To get the most out of the filter upgrade, it's recommended that you replace the header as well as the exhaust system.

 

Cons? One danger is heatsoak. If you look at your stock airbox, you'll notice that it's made out of thick plastic and the air is sucked in through an opening either on the side of the engine bay or somewhere from the bottom. This way, the air you're getting is colder than the air circulating inside the engine bay. Cold air = good, hot air = bad. With a cone-type filter installed in the wrong place, the air the engine is getting might be coming from the hot engine bay. The result will be loss of power, the opposite of what you want to achieve with the upgraded filter. I've experienced this before. I've got the throttle pedal buried all the way to the floor and the car still won't accelerate. Sucks.

 

To overcome that, you can have a longer intake tube fabricated, with the filter now residing somewhere behind the front bumper and making sure there's adequate airflow in that location. This is what's called a CAI (cold air intake). Much better than having the filter near the engine. But there's another risk to this method: hydrolock. It's when water is sucked inside the engine through the CAI because you just crossed a heavily flooded street. The filter needs to be submerged completely in water before this will occur so it's not that big a deal (unless you love driving through Malabon during the rainy season).

 

Unless you're the fast and furious type, look into buying a drop-in K&N filter for your car. You get to keep the stock airbox and there's no risk of heatsoak and hydrolock. Less benefit compared to a cone-type filter but also less headaches in the long run (for a casual driver).

 

But if I were you, I'd go for a header upgrade first. Go to Mufflerland or ERL and have a mandrel-bent header fabricated for your car. 4-2-1 for more low- to mid-range grunt (better acceleration, great for city driving and overtaking), 4-1 for increased top-end (faster and smoother up high, great for highway driving).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Guys i appreciate all your replies.

@Hezekiah - i will keep note on some of your suggestions and will let you know should i consider adopting it.

 

 

Cheers!

[pitbull69]

Simota Air filters can be a more cost effective option...

[lourdes_bautista2000]

Simota Air filters can be a more cost effective option...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I initially thought of having simota as i used to have one on my civic before, but it seems that i will be needing some conversion on my Air filter box for me to be able to have it. Instead, I opted to try K&N as they have a product make specifically for my the model of my car. This option wouldn't need any conversion.

[pitbull69]

I initially thought of having simota as i used to have one on my civic before, but it seems that i will be needing some conversion on my Air filter box for me to be able to have it. Instead, I opted to try K&N as they have a product make specifically for my the model of my car.  This option wouldn't need any conversion.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

oh okay. I see that yung drop in type ang kukunin mo, and not eh cone type?

[MTBfreaK]

im using a drop in k&n filter...u can really tell the difference...

[hitomi]

...After installation, the first thing you'll notice is better throttle response. You'll also get a nice noise from the air intake if you use a cone-type filter (the fast and furious crowd loves noise). By itself, horsepower increase is negligible (maybe 1 or 2 horses at the most). To get the most out of the filter upgrade, it's recommended that you replace the header as well as the exhaust system...

 

...But if I were you, I'd go for a header upgrade first. Go to Mufflerland or ERL and have a mandrel-bent header fabricated for your car. 4-2-1 for more low- to mid-range grunt (better acceleration, great for city driving and overtaking), 4-1 for increased top-end (faster and smoother up high, great for highway driving).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

where is mufflerland or ERL? i though mandrel-bending was nonexistent here in the Philippines hehe. how about Nodalos? are they good?

 

anyway, just wanna second what Hezekiah said, an aftermarket filter will work best when partnered with performance headers and mufflers. so i guess buying the filter itself - when you are short on cash -is a luxury, not a necessity.

 

here's some empirical evidence in the form of two dyno results (taken by the "import tuner" mag guys) on some cars:

 

*1995 honda integra gsr

before: 148.1 hp

parts installed: performance filter, header and exhaust

after: 161.1 hp

 

*2002 acura rsx type-s

before: 163.2 hp

parts installed: performance filter, header and exhaust

after: 184.9 hp

 

BTW guys, how long does the washable filter last? will it survive a year's use?

[Hezekiah]

where is mufflerland or ERL? i though mandrel-bending was nonexistent here in the Philippines hehe. how about Nodalos? are they good?

 

Mufflerland - Tomas Morato near corner E. Rodriguez

ERL Motorwerx - C. Benitez near corner P. Tuazon http://www.erlmotorwerx.com

 

 

BTW guys, how long does the washable filter last? will it survive a year's use?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

K&N filters are supposed to last for a lifetime. One of our cars here is still using one installed in '99. http://www.knfilters.com

[lourdes_bautista2000]

oh okay. I see that yung drop in type ang kukunin mo, and not eh cone type?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

YUP!

 

BTW guys, how long does the washable filter last? will it survive a year's use?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

My understanding is that it will last a 'lifetime' so to speak, but on a 10000Km or so need, you need to take out the filter for cleaning. K&N has a bundled cleaning kit for that case.

[S14]

have the filter inspected evry time you have a change oil done or 6 month just to be on the safe side.

[okidok]

Ok...

 

If I want a K&N Filter for my 1996 Civic VTi M/T, which of the several products in the lineup will I choose???

[GUY_QC]

Ok...

 

If I want a K&N Filter for my 1996 Civic VTi M/T, which of the several products in the lineup will I choose???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

any products in the K&N will do...its either cone type or drop in....just choose what design do you want...since they works all the same

[lourdes_bautista2000]

any products in the K&N will do...its either cone type or drop in....just choose what design do you want...since they works all the same

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

If i may suggest try looking at their website first at http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx

in there, you can basically get the right product suited for your car model.