Performance air filter. Are they worth it???

[srkpaco]

I have a 2004 LC with 80k miles on it. I am thinkin about putting a K&N performance filter kit on it, not a snorkle.

Are they worth the performance and sound aspect or just a maintenance issue?

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

I just purchased a K & N after market filter to fit into the existing OEM air box and it appeared to make a difference, more power and louder at WOT.

I kept the OEM air filter for when I off-road since it I need the extra filtration it provides when in dusty environments.

 

[lhommec13]

Had the TRD drop-in filter (very similar to K&N) for about a year, noticed no real performance gains. Then installed the K&N FIPK intake, and still notice no change in performance. Loud at WOT though. Just ask LOUD

For real performance gains, install the DT headers. Or SC if you can find it.

 

[RobRed]

No, it's not worth it at all.

 

[Yukon LX]

for some applications yes, i would say absolutely not for the 100. If you have aftermarket turbo, headers and full exhaust, i would say yes. To a stock motor, nope

 

[srkpaco]

Thanks guys, I am glad to hear it is not worth it.

 

[hks3sgte]

How can someone feel the performance "gain" from an air filter? That's insane.

 

[no-pistons]

How can someone feel the performance "gain" from an air filter? That's insane.

I felt my truck get slower after I put a "Slee" sticker on...

 

[Yukon LX]

i agree. especially if nothing is changed on the exhaust end. Restriction is still there. I would be interested in a dyno, to see what the real difference actual numbers are. Has anyone done this, just with a filter?

 

[88grapz]

Not really, I feel that there are always more drawbacks from intakes/filters. I would only get a new filter if yours needs to be replaced anyway. I purchased a filter that was washable, so it made sense to me at the time.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

The main reason why I purchased the K&N was because I can wash it..

 

[Yukon LX]

dont you have to use the K&N cleaning fluid though. Which with the price of the filter and fluid would be as much as a stock filter for many replacements. I may be wrong. But that's how it was when i had a k&N in my old rig years ago.

 

[TheFuzz]

srkpaco, were you referring to JUST a drop-in K&N filter, or a full intake kit? If just the OE-size replacement panel filter, I'd say skip it and stick to the paper filters. If it's the full FIPK, I'd say it depends on what you want.

For me personally, I like the extra intake sound that a full kit provides. I like the fact that most kits do provide some gains...even though they are usually miniscule. I like that they replace the stock airbox and piping and clean up the engine bay (especially on the land cruiser - alot of room can be freed up). I liked the fact that on my Yukon, I got better mileage with one installed (AEM kit with a dryflow filter, no oil).

There are gains to be had, but the bigger question is, especially for the 100 series, are they worth the $250-$300 that you pay for the kit. For most folks, probably not. I'd really only get one if you plan on installing headers and a cat back exhaust to maximize the gains.

I plan on doing just that, so I'm eyeballing the K&N kit. I may even do a custom airbox and try to mate a snorkel to one...but that's a long way off.

As for the filter recharging, I have a recharge kit (cleanser and oil) sitting in my garage that I've had for going on 10 years. You really don't use it that often - and one recharge kit that retails for around $20 will last a good long time (provided you use it sparingly, like you're supposed to). It's not a "one and done" deal with the recharge kits.

Like I said, it just depends on whether or not you feel that it's worth it.

 

[r2m]

I felt my truck get slower after I put a "Slee" sticker on...

Someone needs to tell Slee that they're making stickers out of vinyl now and he doesn't need to make his out of cold rolled steel.

 

[1meancruiser]

Guys, the mass air flow sensor sits close to the box and you run the risk of having an oily K&N filter drop a few drops of oil into the mass air flow sensor and ruining it...

I have heard of this happening.

If you insist on using it, towl dry the oil off the filter before install and the biggest problem is after you wash it and oil it yourself and we/me tend to over oil...

I use the K&N's on my MBZ, they work great, but it dosn't have a mass air flow sensor.

 

[APKhaos]

K&N air filters generally don't buy you any additional flow, but they DO let a lot more small particulates through than a standard paper filter.
- The flow restrictions of the stock airbox/intake are usually the limiting factor. Filters make no difference.
- The K&N needs to be clean and properly oiled to work at all. They let a ton of muck through when they are dry and as 1mean said they throw off oil into the intake/MAF if you over oil them.

 

[3D FJ]

Guys, the mass air flow sensor sits close to the box and you run the risk of having an oily K&N filter drop a few drops of oil into the mass air flow sensor and ruining it...

I have heard of this happening.

If you insist on using it, towl dry the oil off the filter before install and the biggest problem is after you wash it and oil it yourself and we/me tend to over oil...

I use the K&N's on my MBZ, they work great, but it dosn't have a mass air flow sensor.

I was about to say the same thing about the MAF sensor. I plan on getting an AFE pro-dry filter. It's also cleanable, but it's oil free.