K&N filter. Does it really help?

[94gpse]

I have a 94 gp with the 3100 v6. I wanted to know if the k&n air filter helped performance. If they do was it real noticeable or barely noticeable? I want to know if they help that much before I go and spend $40.00 on an air filter. Any help is greatly apprecieated.

[kilroypr]

Well I installed a panel K&N and the car runs ok but nothing to brag about. I will install a thrasher CAI with a 9" cone filter. I was told that would make a difference

[carnutcass]

One thing to keep in mind here is that the K&N is washable. So, even if your gains are minimal you'll never have to buy a filter again.

[JJUBECK]

Yes but you do have to buy a filter cleaning and recharging kit pretty much every other time you clean your filter............with a panel filter you won't see much gain at all. If your looking for power gain go with a Cold Air Intake off of zzp or pfyc or thrasher.

[carnutcass]

Filter recharging kit is only $10 (at AutoStoned) and lasts me two cleanings......but I'm cleaning a 9" cone filter. I'd bet that the flat panel takes much less cleaner and oil due to smaller surface area. He could probably get 3 or 4 recharges out of it. I could be wrong.

I'm not sure if there has been any write-ups about the gains realized by the GT and SE with a CAI. Hmmmmm....I wonder.

[JJUBECK]

I have a 99 gt with a 9" cone on it and there is definetly a noticeable gain to it, I'm not familar with the approxinate gains but its enough for me to notice it.

Your right if he is running a panel he could probably get three or four out of it.

[94gpse]

I am going to get the cold air intake like recommended. Thanks for the help.

[94gpse]

Could I get the thrasher or any of the other cold air intakes for a 1994 gp with a 3100 v6???? I have looked for them but I can't find any?? Anybody know where I can get one??? Thanks

[GTPKLR]

my experience was that just the k&n flat filter shaved .3's off my quartermile i ran a 17.5 with three of my friends in the car(about 500 extra pounds) and then changed the filter and ran a 17.2 with a bad launch i think i could have squeezed out a 17.1 or 17.0 with a good launch. so i would say it helped i am also at an altitude of 3100 feet by my self i ran a 16.7 with the same 60' time as the 17.2 had lots of wheel spin though. (need stickyer tires, need stickyer tires...)

[oncedesired]

I have a '94 GTP, just put in the new Fram Air Hog & noticed a major difference right away. The engine is much quieter & runs a lot smoother.

[kilroypr]

Well between panel and cone, the later will give you better power increase on your car. I installed the trasher CAI on mine and made a huge difference.

[ryanbackfromiraq]

no kandn filters are over rated there good becuase of there durability so u wont need to replace your filter for a awhile but as for increase performance...no not really maybe a v-8 and even then it not really noticable but a cold air will make a difference

[JoeJoe231455]

First of all, you guys cleaning your K&N filters every 2 oil changes are wasting alot of money on those recharger kits. K&N recommends cleaning them\reoiling them every 40-50k miles unless you live in a very dusty climate. They advertise that they actually flow better when "somewhat dirty" so your cutting down on airflow by recharging them all the time.
You WILL gain power at full throttle with a K&N filter if your engine can benifit from more available air. Meaning, if your paper filter flows less than your engine throttle body can swallow, you will gain power with the higher flowing K&N filters. You will get different results for different vehicles.

Also, your going to gain more from a complete "cold air intake" system than you will from a K&N panel filter. Why? Because even after the better flowing K&N panel filter takes in more air it still has to bounce around the restrictive airbox and into the ribbed (turbulent) air duct that leads to the throttle body. If you replace the system with a smooth path to the throttle body you will better benifit from the increased K&N air flow.

I had the Thrasher system and it gave me a nice power improvement over stock. My ss fenderwell intake (completely smooth shot to the throttle body) with a 9 inch K&N cone was a massive improvement even over the Thrasher system, likely because of the removal of the ribbed "air duct".

[kilroypr]

JoeJoe, check the site http://easyperformance.com. Click on the left Tech Info, Then click CAI Design primer, and then on the green button press Air Flow. They explain there why long tubes are not that good to intake flow.

[JoeJoe231455]

I hadn't mentioned the length of the system but I guess your refering to the fact that the fwi setup is a foot longer than a thrasher system. Although I've heard that longer intake systems stimulate low and mid range torque and shorter intakes are better for high rpm horsepower, a smooth shot fenderwell intake more than makes up for its slightly longer length with the removal of the ribbed air duct (tumbling air = turbulence = power loss) and its ambient intake temps. A 20 degree intake temperature may not seem like much, but on a supercharged engine temperatures are multiplied when the air is compressed in the manifold.
You have to try it to believe it I guess, but the power increase is evident over other aftermarket intakes.