K&N FIPK

[LonghornCruiser]

I got a 99 Cruiser about a month ago and am looking at what low cost upgrades I can do. Has anyone gotten the new Fuel Injection Performance Kit from K&N? I am interested in how much you paid and if you actually noticed a difference in performance or gas mileage. Supposed to add 8hp which doesn't seem like much. I had one on my previous Grand Cherokee, but haven't decided if it is worth it on the new ride.

Are any of you using a different brand that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lexs470]

i did some search on the different options of air intake and filters. I've been told that if the air intake is changed the oil on the K&N filters can sometimes effect the operation of the mass air flow sensor (MAF). to be on the safe side do a bit more research to ensure there wont be any problems with the upgrades.
good luck.

 

[98LXand99LC]

I had a FIPK on an F150, I really liked it. But, that truck was never taken offroad. I would think that using a open FIPK like the one I had would be a risk to allow water to get into the engine. Also, IIRC someone here put one on and said it didn't do s***e. Myabe try searching.

 

[Jukelemon]

I would stay away from anything K&N made. Their filters are very poor. Unless you are going to change other pieces of the puzzle, intake changes rarely net to anything except loss of cash.

There is an article on this board with specific, non partial studies of the K&N filter versus other types and it is clear that marketing sustains their viability not actual results.

Just my .02.

 

[macneill]

I put the K&N Aircharger on my 100. It was called that before CARB approval and became the FIPK. I also had one on my 93 Toyota Pickup. Maybe I too fell for the HP promise. I never really noticed a substantial increase. Even with the Throttle Body Spacer, Jet Chip and Borla Cat-Back it sounds way cool, but can I chirp 'em? No. Maybe I fell for all the HP claims. I think in hindsight, I was going for more mileage. I don't live in a particularily dusty area either.

Just my .02.

 

[tabraha]

Generally speaking on almost every used oil analysis if you put a stock air filter up against a K&N air filter you can tell which vehicle has the K&N because the silicon jumps a good bit. Silicon is of course dust and grit going into the engine and mixing into the oil. Oh boy!!! I'm not gonna tell you the K&N will grenade your engine by any means but elevated silicon is in no way going to improve longevity.

MacNeill, HP or no HP I'm sure that Borla sounds great! (and I bet you did get a few HP out of it)

 

[SINCITY100]

i did some search on the different options of air intake and filters. I've been told that if the air intake is changed the oil on the K&N filters can sometimes effect the operation of the mass air flow sensor (MAF). to be on the safe side do a bit more research to ensure there wont be any problems with the upgrades.
good luck.

That is correct Lexs470.

(8 times out of 10) when a Toyota (such as the 100) with the "hot wire type" mass air sensor is faulty, it either has a Oil-style air cleaner , or a VERY cheap brand of air filter...
As I understand it...the wire style sensors are very precise, but they are also easily and adversly affected by oil and dust...

I dont think the modest (if any) gain is worth the risk..........

 

[lexs470]

agreed. I've seen such issues posted mostly by the gs series lexus owners who do such upgrades and end up with a faulty MAF or VAF. Apparently the K&N air filters are oil based which is why they don't require replacement like the OEM filters do. but on the downside, they end up depositing oil on the wires of the MAF. It triggers CEL as well as hesitation during acceleration afterwards as the correct signal is not directed to the ECU.

 

[LonghornCruiser]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Are there any other relatively inexpensive upgrades that you would recommend?

 

[Jukelemon]

Headlights (low beam). Change holder-or whatever we termed it addition.