K & N air filter?

[ing4016]

I have a '98 with over 80k miles.
The mileage has gone down in the
last year. I was wondering if K & N
air filters are worth the money.
Has anyone tried one with success?

Rod

[happydog500]

My research is that if a car has enough air, allowing more doesn't do anything. The stock Lesabre design does allow enough air for a stock motor.

As always, you will get people who say it it works good. I think it's because they spent money on it, or just because it's marketed as better.

Just MHO.

Chris.

P.S. Sorry, Your post did say, "Has anyone tried one with success?" which I have not tried the K & N Filter. The price locally was way to high for the benefit of not havening to replace it as often.
Plus I was in a state of shock that after you pay for the filter, you have to pay more for the stuff you have to clean it.

[ing4016]

Thanks,
So far, thats one vote "no".
Zero votes "yes"

Rod

[Alibi]

If your mileage has gone down recently, then that means that you've not been keeping up with maintenance.

However, a K&N is simply a less-restricted air filter, meaning you get more air over a regular paper filter. IMO, a K&N filter is worth the money as your motor will get more air (and more air means more O2 to burn with your fuel) and therefore a bit better fuel economy and a bit more power. However, even if you don't believe such increases will happen, having a reusable filter will save you money in the long run. Sure its expensive to purchase initially, but you don't have to clean and re-oil it right away so you don't need that kit till the filter is dirty.

Something else you could try is to gut the air box. I'm not familiar with the 98 setup, but with earlier airboxes, they had a baffle in them to reduce noise.... but this baffle also reduces airflow and removing it (via dremel or whatever) will help overall airflow as well.

[ChemMan]

Originally Posted by Alibi

However, a K&N is simply a less-restricted air filter, meaning you get more air over a regular paper filter. IMO, a K&N filter is worth the money as your motor will get more air (and more air means more O2 to burn with your fuel) and therefore a bit better fuel economy and a bit more power.

Not true, a less restrictive filter will only give you more air flow at wide open throttle. At any other point, your throttle body plate is limiting the air flow into your engine, hence the term throttle. If you are driving around a lot at wide open throttle, gas mileage is not your concern at all. I think a lot of K&N claims come from replacing a neglected, clogged air filter with their new, unclogged one which will ALWAYS work better.

As for removing the baffles from the air box, it only give the car a nice whooshing noise when you step on the gas. I like it!

[happydog500]

Originally Posted by ChemMan

Not true

I agree. I was going to post another thread but didn't want to start an argument.

My School did tests on a 3800 airflow. The bottom line was the amount of air the motor needed was less then what could be drawn in from the stock setup.

That's why I said if your getting more air then you need, getting more doesn't do anything.

I learned so much at this school. We even got a EV1 to play with.

[BNaylor]

Although the data available is quasi-scientific and open to dispute, the K&N drop-in type air filter does not do any better than using an OEM AC Delco air filter. Regardless of the oil coating, K&N filters do not perform any better. Supposedly the AC Delco brand has better overall airflow and does a better job of filtering.

The other problem with K&N air filters since they are oiled is possible problems of contamination of the MAF sensor wire element. Rule of thumb is do not over oil when using the recharge kit. Use the spray version using a light coating.

[ing4016]

Thanks for the opinions and advice.
I have decided to take back the
K&N and get the Delco. That will
save me about $50.00 too.

Rod

[richtazz]

The last in the arguement against the K&N (I agree 100% with what Bnaylor posted, they do nothing to boost performance or mileage), they cost as much to maintain (the cleaning and oiling kit) as it does to replace the stock paper filter due to the shorter maintenance interval. Because of this fact, you never recoup the initial cost of the filter.

[90 3800 lesabre]

ive used K&N in all my cars and bike and well i really see a diffrence with the K&N in my oppinon so worth it

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by 90 3800 lesabre

ive used K&N in all my cars and bike and well i really see a diffrence with the K&N in my oppinon so worth it

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