K&N air filters ?

[neonnight34609]

sorry guys about all the posts but this is a great sight with tons of info .. so who here runs the basic drop in K&N air filters .. are they worth it ?better fuel millage ? or i notice the maf sensor is close to the air box and have heard where people over oil them and screw us these sensors ?

[MagicRat]

I have been using K&N filters since 1982, on many of my cars and bikes.

For an otherwise-stock vehicle in the stock airbox, I do not think they are worth it. K&N filters do not filter as well as OEM-type paper filters, (especially after a few washes) regardless of what K&N says.

A few years ago, as a test, I spread a thin layer of grease on the choke blade of a couple of carbureted engines I had, then drove them about 1000 miles, both with an OEM filter and a K&N.

With the OEM filter, the grease layer was virtually clean. The K&N filter allowed dirt and dust past the filter. Some of it stuck to the grease layer and was obvious to see. The extra dirt contributes to accelerated engine wear.

I think K&N filters are great for modified engines, where the extra flow can be used, or for cars that are only driven on clean, clear days. They are also great for custom air intake systems where the filter must be made compact to fit in tight spaces.

However, for the stock daily driver, which gets tons of miles driven, under all kinds of dirty conditions, a stock filter is better, so long as it is changed regularly.

[BNaylor]

There is no proof regardless of what K&N says that K&N drop in air filters are any better than the stock paper element in filtering or air flow. Plenty of anecdotal tests which in some cases you may have to take with a grain of salt. Although the testing at the link below did not involve a Grand Prix or GM car equipped with a 3100 or 3800 V6 engine it is still worth taking note. In this test the stock AC Delco performed the best overall.

Air Filter Testing

[richtazz]

I've beat up K&N's claims of performance gains so much on here that one of their reps actually jumped in on a thread! Nuff said!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by richtazz

I've beat up K&N's claims of performance gains so much on here that one of their reps actually jumped in on a thread! Nuff said!

Yeah, I remember that Rich.

But you did fine holding your ground.

[troy1]

I've got a K&N in my GP no milage or performace gains that I can tell. Soon I'll being going back to a paper filter.


Man this is a MOD post boyI feel left out.

[vamc]

Originally Posted by troy1

I've got a K&N in my GP no milage or performace gains that I can tell. Soon I'll being going back to a paper filter.


Man this is a MOD post boyI feel left out.

I have a K&N in my car, and i gained 2mpg on my car. I got this info from my cars computer. I have 2006 gp base model. 3800 series 3 engine.

[gpchris95]

remember not to overoil them!

[bocoogto]

The air filter testing link above has a wealth of information. How could anyone buy K&N after reading that? It clearly shows that most paper filters outperform K&N. It's amazing that people keep buying them in spite of info like this. It's obvious they flow more air than most filters, but at the expense of efficiently filtering the air. Since all factory air filters far exceed the flow capacity needed for each engine, the small amount of restriction provided by better filters is not a factor in performance or fuel economy.

The way many carry on about K&N, you'd think they flow better than no air cleaner at all!!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by gpchris95

remember not to overoil them!

Good point. I use the K&N or S&B filter recharge kit with the spray on oil. Easier to apply versus the squeeze bottle. The stuff sets up better by getting tacky and reduces any chance of oil getting into the intake to the MAF sensor.

I do not use K&N drop in air filters but use the cone style for my CAI. I prefer the S&B brand over K&N.

[mike561]

I agree with most i would never get a drop in k&n filter on a stock intake setup, i do however have the big round one sittin on the carb of my Caprice with the two chrome plates on the top and bottom of the filter, no BIG performance gains here again though that i really noticed.

[richtazz]

Anyone else see the irony of the K&N ad at the bottom of this thread?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Anyone else see the irony of the K&N ad at the bottom of this thread?

I don't see any K&N ad Rich. What skin are you running? If you run Premium Style mode and they will be inhibited. BTW - This feature is for Moderators and Premium members only.

[mike561]

yep i see it lol