Toyota Air Filter Versus......

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Sep 15, 2014
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Location
Greenville South Carolina
I know Toyota parts are top shelf but what do you think of replacing the factory air filter with a K&N once replacement time rolls around?


Expound.
 
After a quick glance it appears the Delco is the way to go and the K&N is hype. Is the Toyota filter in the test?
 
Is the Toyota filter in the test?

No. Nor is ANY filter specified for use in our Land Cruisers.

It's interesting info IF you're running a Duramax diesel ... but, we are not :(
 
Stick with the Toyota unless you drive where it's very dusty. Oiled filters like K&N are fantastic if you drive gravel a lot but not worthwhile otherwise. I'd personally stick with Toyota or Fram.
 
No. Nor is ANY filter specified for use in our Land Cruisers.

It's interesting info IF you're running a Duramax diesel ... but, we are not :(
I think the conclusion we can draw from the test is that the K&N doesn't give any real benefits over the competition. Not only did the OEM Delco filter outperform the K&N, but so did the other aftermarket filters. My guess is we would see similar results if the OEM Toyota filter was tested against the K&N.
 
I pay a lot of attention to my air filter. Having lived in the desert for several years, one thing you learn is that mileage on the odometer is a lousy way to judge whether the filter is still doing its job.

I installed an air filter monitor which measures vacuum in Inches of Water (In H2O) after the filter and before the intake plumbing. It looks like this:

LC200KampNFilterMinder_31MAR1_zps6f8beac3.jpg


LC200KampNFilterMinder2_31MAR_zpsf9475a35.jpg


It's an easy install and well worth it if you live in a challenging environment.

The gauge is made by K&N, but I run the Toyota air filter. But did you know that there are more than one filter that you can buy at your local dealership? The two part numbers available are:

- 17801-0S010 Made in USA
- 17801-38030 Made in Japan

I run the one made in Japan by Denso because it just feels right to me. Visually the two filters are pretty much the same, but when held up to a light, the Japan filter does not allow as much light to pass through, and the media looks slightly darker - hinting that it might catch more dirt than the USA filter, but I have no data to support that theory.

Initial restriction when new on both filters according to my gauge is essentially the same - approximately 3 In H20 at WOT (Wide Open Throttle).

About K&N:

Science is science. There is no magic filter design that allows more air through (low restriction) without also allowing more dirt through.

If the engine is getting enough air - as measured by a restriction gauge after the filter - then there is no need to increase air flow (and consequently increase dirt flow at the same time) by using a different filter.

Toyota are confident in their filter design, and that's good enough for me.
 
Yeah..... the K&N results really surprised me. While I haven't had a K&N filter in a while, I had them in all my BMW's and Land Cruisers up through the early 2000's.

Wonder if K&N's frame of mind and quality went south once all these kids started modding their little cars with fart pipes and making them look like melted LEGO's?? Surely their sales volume has gone up since that trend began.
 
I learned the hard way w/ K&N.... several ATV's under my care needed the engines rebuilt after a particularly dusty season. Filters have a job, and that is to filter, if they are restrictive, make them larger. The 200/Tundra air filter is a very large 12 x 12.75" size, the filter tested above is about 9.8 x 12.5".
 
One more thing I will add is that my cousin use to work as a honda mechanic at the dealership and has since went on to work for himself. He told me that the people running K and N filters always had dirty throttle bodies and that the oil residue can be seen in the intake tube and throttle bodies. I Just use the factory filter, one thing I noticed on my FJ cruiser has an extra layer of felt from the factory that the land cruiser does not
 
I'm new here but have been reading a lot. I sure wish I had found this forum 5 years ago when I bought my FJ. At least I won't make the same K&N mistake once I find myself a good LC. But seeing those test results is like a punch in the gut.
 
One more thing I will add is that my cousin use to work as a honda mechanic at the dealership and has since went on to work for himself. He told me that the people running K and N filters always had dirty throttle bodies and that the oil residue can be seen in the intake tube and throttle bodies. I Just use the factory filter, one thing I noticed on my FJ cruiser has an extra layer of felt from the factory that the land cruiser does not

The LC has the "felt" permanently installed after the filter in the top half of the air filter housing:

ToyLC200AirFilterMonitor3_07FEB13_zpsd5e44f4c.jpg


In situ:

ToyoLC200AirFilterMonitor1_07FEB13_zpsa636021e.jpg


;)
 
Oh I didn't know that... Cool
 
It's real purpose is emissions related but I guess it could prevent some oil from an oiled filter from reaching the MAF, throttle body, etc. I, too, wouldn't recommend a oiled K&N filter.

Also, it's seems the 200 is the first LC that has gone away with the cyclonic air filter box.
 
Also, it's seems the 200 is the first LC that has gone away with the cyclonic air filter box.

I don't remember my 100 Series LC having a cyclonic filter box ... But I could be wrong :confused:
 
North American 100's didn't get it but the Middle East, Oceania and other parts of the world did. All 80's had one. I suppose the 100 was the phaseout. I have not seen any 200 (gas nor diesel) with it. If anybody has... please let me know.

dbatt-jpg.493638
 
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Very interesting. Mine (North American 100) didn't have the cyclonic filter you show, but it would have been a nice addition had I known about it then.
 
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