K&N Filters

If you have or used a K&N filter for your TB did it make a difference or cause problems?

as of this very moment, a K&N Filter is the only intake mod I have done, and wow, was it worth the price. My gas milage is running right around 19.5mpg about 75% hwy and 25% non highway. Acceleration is also much smoother, just stomp and go! I have been running one since 12/28/04 and instantly noticed the improved milage while going on a trip. Hope this helps, Erik

I almost forgot, I haven't had any problems so far, but it is mainly my trip car, so I have only put about 1000-1500 miles on it since December. Erik

I still want to keep the resonator, so I'm considering changing just the air filter to KN E-1009. Has anyone done this and what is your experience?

This is exactly what I have done, just replace the air filter element with K&N part #E-1009. I didn't want to purchase the whole intake and I don't think I will at this point. The filter alone is good enough for me. Check http://www.ajusa.com for the filter and cleaning kit. The auto stores around here, NAPA and Schucks wanted $95-100 fo it, and ajusa had it for around $53. Hope this helps, Erik

Thanks, I think I'm going to give it a try.

Installed one tonight, noticed a difference in accelerating a bit also a different sound not loud, but different.

I installed the 77 pro series kit on my 4.2 tb today. It seemed to give it a little more pep. Not WHOA, but helped. I am hoping the gas mileage increase is true since that is mainly what I bought it for. I also wanted a little more tourqe when going up hills (kinda felt dead until it kicked into a lower gear), which from the 3 trips I have gone on so far seemed to help. My instant fuel economy indicator on the driver info center said 0 the first trip, the second trip it started giving me info again, other than that no problems.

I've just installed the KN1009 and found that it does make a slight improvement in acceleration. Too early to tell if it helps mpg yet. But I'm happy for the moment...

It's definitly not worth doing this mod. You are giving GM a perfect excuse to Not cover a large number of warranty items from emission sensors to the entire transmission. The oil used on the filter is very bad for the sensors. see GM TSB in the Link.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=401233

Concerning that GM TSB.......... it says look for an excessively oiled filter. I can see if the filter was dripping the oil when you installed it, but other than that I have used K&N filters on all my cars since 1987 and have never had a problem. They dont need much oil for coverage. I oil mine and let it sit upright over nite, it will drain any excess and keep what it needs. Also in the case of my 2003 TB 4.2, where is the MAF? If it has one it is hidden. So what is GMs excuse now? I would be more concerned with the oil vapor after shutdown coating the MAF than filter oil, its the oil vapor that clogs the idle air control valve and throttle body blade in every fuel injected car/truck that GM makes.

I wouldn't say don't go for the KN's. They are good, just beware that excess oil can do harm. Which I plan to clean and let it sit at least 48 hours for the excess oil to drain. Meantime, I'll stikc back the paper one.

As mentioned before, I'm still happy with the better accerlation and a slight improvement in my Mpg.

Well, I know that this is an old post, but I was wondering if anyone experienced the same thing. I have a 2004 TB 4.2 5 passenger and dropped in just the replacement K&N air filter. I have run both FIPK and replacement drop in's on several vehicles without a problem and was always pleased with the results. Well, i put the one in my TB at about 5K miles and as soon as it hit 8K miles some strange things started happening. I got an SES light that just wouldn't go out, a lumpy idle when the engine is cold, and when cruising and holding steady on the gas pedal, it will buck ever so slightly but just enough that I could feel it. The K&N filter was factory oiled with no excess oil that was apparent, and a check of the intake hose and sensor by the throttle body showed no oil residue at all. Dropped the stock filter back in and drove it down the block. Within 1/4 mile, the SES light went out (first time in a week) and none of the bucking or lumpiness was evident. Off to the dealer tomorrow morning to have it checked out, just in case. Anyone know if the trouble codes that switched the SES light will still be in there?

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Why not just take the air cleaner out??

read this:
http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

The test described in that SPICER link does not load the filters with dirt in a way that simulates real-life use of an air filter. Because the oiled-media filters work, in part, by allowing external dirt to wick oil and then become part of the filtering media, K & N filters could be expected to do poorly in a test where all the dirt is thrown on in an exceptionally short period of time.

I say that this test is invalid for oiled media type filters.

Easy enough to test for yourself, though. Wipe a thin smear of oil/grease on the clean side of the filter housing (downstream from a MAF sensor?), drive around for a month or two, and see if the oil/grease is dirty. If it is, you need a different filter, or you have air leaks behind the filter. If it's clean, you're probably OK.

as of this very moment, a K&N Filter is the only intake mod I have done, and wow, was it worth the price. My gas milage is running right around 19.5mpg about 75% hwy and 25% non highway. Acceleration is also much smoother, just stomp and go! I have been running one since 12/28/04 and instantly noticed the improved milage while going on a trip. Hope this helps, Erik


Did you just replace it with the drop in filter, or did you do the full intake setup with the midpipe coming from the throttle boddy?

I am buying this one next week, when I get back from my cruise:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/K-N-Air-Intake-Kit-2005-05-CHEVY-TRAILBLAZER-ENVOY-4-2L_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQitemZ79955672 28QQrdZ1

Did you just replace it with the drop in filter, or did you do the full intake setup with the midpipe coming from the throttle boddy?

I am buying this one next week, when I get back from my cruise:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/K-N-Air-Intake-Kit-2005-05-CHEVY-TRAILBLAZER-ENVOY-4-2L_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQitemZ79955672 28QQrdZ1


Mine was just a replacement air filter, part number E-1009.
Well, I took it to the dealership, and they told me I had a trouble code P0455 in the PCM. They also said when they checked it over that I had loose fuel filler neck clamps, which they tightened and cleared the trouble code. So I am not sure how this affects everything, and if the K&N filter was the cause of the problem, or if it just made a problem worse since the SES light went right out after replacing it with the stock filter and driving it down the street. I'll put it back in and see if the problem comes back.

[QUOTE=Schurkey] Because the oiled-media filters work, in part, by allowing external dirt to wick oil and then become part of the filtering media, K & N filters could be expected to do poorly in a test where all the dirt is thrown on in an exceptionally short period of time.
OK, so are you saying that if I drove through a really dusty area, like a dirt raod following someone, that the K&N will do poorly?

Furthermore, are you saying that until the filter media gets a bunch of dirt "wicking" into it is not that effective?

Not trying to argue, just learn as I do drive a bit on dirt roads.

My E-1009 helps open up the intake. I got more power as a result. No problems yet....

[QUOTE=Schurkey] Because the oiled-media filters work, in part, by allowing external dirt to wick oil and then become part of the filtering media, K & N filters could be expected to do poorly in a test where all the dirt is thrown on in an exceptionally short period of time.
OK, so are you saying that if I drove through a really dusty area, like a dirt raod following someone, that the K&N will do poorly?

Furthermore, are you saying that until the filter media gets a bunch of dirt "wicking" into it is not that effective?

Not trying to argue, just learn as I do drive a bit on dirt roads.

I personally wouldn't worry a bit about it. It will filter when new, it just filters "better" once it collects some dirt. I would, however, apply a thin film of oil or grease on the clean side of the filter, and watch it over the course of a month or two.

First guess: You'll have no problems with dirt entry.

I do NOT know about oiled-media filters contaminating a MAF sensor, which has been listed as a potential problem. I don't have any experience there.

Applying excess oil on the clean side may easily clog your MAF sensor.