K&N air filter - I think I can really tell a difference

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rjinga

rjinga

10 Year
Joined
Nov 2, 2012
Threads
64
Messages
515
Location
Monroe, GA
The title kind of sums it up - I put in a K&N air filter on Tuesday morning, but didn't get to really drive it until today. It feels like I've got better pick up. Now that may simply be because I have a new air filter period. I took the old one in for the Advance Auto Parts guy to look at, and he said it was awful. It didn't look that bad to me, but what do I know. :meh:
 
PO had one on my '96 80 - still on now as I've had rig only 1 month; however not many people here on forum seem to like K&Ns...?
Haven't switched mine out for stock filter yet. Curious, though what difference (if any) it will make.
 
Mine was great on blacktop but once in the bush clogged real fast, the thing was coated with dirt... The usual ryco filter (dry) I found to work much better, and you can just tap them out.
 
I have had luck with three in three different vehicles. The key is NOT TOO MUCH OIL.
 
I have a K&N on my single cylinder thumper but wouldn't let one near my LC's MAF.
 
i think the primary argument against them in the 80s is that the stock filter is washable and replacements are not very expensive. I've never thought K&N filters to have superior filtering of particles either.
 
I talked to K&N about how there was dust/crap getting past the filter. I could see pin holes of light through the filter. They said their filter is made to increase airflow and with that it will not filter as well as a normal air filter.
If you drive in dry gravel roads then you will get some dust past the filter.
 
In the 70s they were sold/promoted for off-road-Baja-type racing. Claimed the outside could cover with dirt but still not get through or restrict air flow as it collected dirt. I think the key is to clean often. Your average person with one on a car doesn't want to do it and doesn't realize they must be oiled.
 
rjinga said:
Really?
Click to expand...

Washable filter - 17801-61030

A 4.5L @ 5000 rpm needs 66sq/in of surface area to meet the needed air flow

The factory filter is larger in dia. then the K&N

The factory filter has about ~140sq/in of surface area, over twice the needed area. I would find it hard to believe a K&N could give a performance advantage over stock.
 
rjinga said:
Really?
Click to expand...

landtoy80 said:
... the stock filter is washable....
Really?

My washable OEM filter is washable but its the washable OEM filter not the non washable OEM filter that you dont wash.************
Click to expand...

And i think it's only around $20...

pic2gc.jpg
 
none said:
And i think it's only around $20...

pic2gc.jpg
Click to expand...

Ok, that is not the type of filter I removed on Tuesday. The one I took out was a paper filter replacement. Good to know that I wasn't the one who threw away the washable, reusable filter.
 
The factory filters are the ticket. Your K&N will not perform to the same level as far as filtration goes. I also doubt it will have the same amount of surface area as OEM. In any case if you wanted OEM you could probably just order one, put your K&N back in the box and return it. Otherwise just be careful when off-roading, they are not really intended for off road use, regardless of what the manufacturer might say.
 
K&N filters are junk. It flows more air but also passes a lot of dirt. If your engine is important to you, use OEM filters. Cummins discovered K&N air filters were the reason for a lot of warrantee work that had to be performed on their engines. They did a big investigation with extensive engine tear downs and it was evident the K&N air filters were on all those engines. After that the dealers were advised to look for them when vehicles came for service. If there was one, warranty was canceled immediately. This involves Cummins dealers and Dodge dealers (for the Cummins equipped Ram).
So it's the owners decision. You can run whatever you want.
Ilian
 
ilian bg said:
K&N filters are junk. It flows more air but also passes a lot of dirt. If your engine is important to you, use OEM filters. Cummins discovered K&N air filters were the reason for a lot of warrantee work that had to be performed on their engines. They did a big investigation with extensive engine tear downs and it was evident the K&N air filters were on all those engines. After that the dealers were advised to look for them when vehicles came for service. If there was one, warranty was canceled immediately. This involves Cummins dealers and Dodge dealers (for the Cummins equipped Ram).
So it's the owners decision. You can run whatever you want.
Ilian
Click to expand...


While maybe not the best comparison group, K&N filters are highly shunned by the classic BMW motorcycle folks. Issues with the frame being too pliable and not sealing well and the amount of crap that gets through the filter. I go Toyota filter only.
 
Tons of threads on the topic. Besides the fact that they do not filter anywhere near OEM, for the those of us using a heated wire MAF, the filter oil can cause issues by coating this wire.
 
What's a "MAF"?
 
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