Hello,

A friend told me about the K & N air filter. He said it will give me an estimated 4 or more MPG and 4 or more HP. Is this true? I went to the K & N site and they make them for all types of cars.

If this is true, why wouldn't Honda make such a filter for their cars? It would give them a big edge on other vehicles.

If this is true, wouldn't the whole world be using this filter? I can't imagine this being true. It just doesn't make sense.
This friend also says that the filter will not void my warrantee. If, all of the MPG and HP is true, I find it hard to believe that it would not change the way the engine runs and not void my warrantee.

Please advise....

Thanks,

Dale

 

It will give you an improvement in hp and mpg, but only the mpg will be noticeable (i'd say 1-2).

It flows better, which is the only reason the filter is a gain in performance.

I assume companies don't use it because of the cost. A K&N filter (that you need to clean and recharge after about 10-15k miles) costs between 30-50 bucks while a paper air filter that you can throw away and replace with a new one (because most people cant tell the difference between a turbo and an alternator) for 19 bucks a pop. They're cheaper to make, easy to replace, and they can make more money on 5 paper filters versus one K&N for the life of the car.

 

they flow more air at the expense of allowing more dirt into the engine. That is why cars use paper filters, they are more restrictive but they filter better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by YeuEmMaiMai &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">they flow more air at the expense of allowing more dirt into the engine. That is why cars use paper filters, they are more restrictive but they filter better.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Where do you get your info from, do some research before posting this crap.

 

see for yourself

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/...3.htm

The best filters are the ones that are more restrictive

 

I can make an incredibly restrictive filter out of pure crap stuck together and that doesnt mean it's more or less reliable. I'd rather have something TRAP the materials rather than be more or less restrictive.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SpeedFreak77 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Where do you get your info from, do some research before posting this crap.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't see why it's so outragous to say that K&N will allow more dirt into your engine. The reason why paper filters are so restrictive is that they have very small pores, meaning that only the tiniest of particles can make it through. K&N uses layers of cotton that you treat with oil every so often. The oil wouldn't be necessary if not for the fact that the pores are much larger and you need a second mechanism to trap particles on their way by. What's going to trap particles more reliably, a solid barrier with very small holes or a more porous barrier that's been made sticky? In one case the particles physically can't go through, in the other case it's still possible.

 

dude look at what you are saying. Logic dictates that a better filter will be more restrictive. There are only 2 ways you are going to flow more air.

1. material that flows better but offers less filtration (K&N has even admitted that they do not meet OEM Specs but offer 99% of the same capacity)

2. Make the filter larger and this usually does not work well in an automotive application where your space is restricted.

It's funny how even faced with fact, some of you guys are not smart enough to understand what is going on. Haven't you ever wondered why those HEPA filters are so large in those air cleaners but they are still able to move mass quantities of air? They are very restrictive in order to filter out the smalled of particles so that have to be really large in order to flow enough air to be effective.

 

I agree. not to mention the mass amounts of heat the engine will be sucking in, because no one ever makes a heat shield for their intakes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carbnjunkie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I agree. not to mention the mass amounts of heat the engine will be sucking in, because no one ever makes a heat shield for their intakes. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Now you're talking about a totally different subject. He's talking about using an OEM paper filter vs. a K&N drop in filter. The location of the air filter and piping has to do wiht heat, not the filtering capabilities of the filter.

Heat shields are ideal. The best way to get your intake temperatures cool is

1) wrap your headers with exhaust wrap
2) move the intake location farther from the engine/engine bay
3) use a material that does not conduct heat as well to either cover or construct the intake pipe out of.

A heat shield will not do **** if your intake pipe is burning up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by accordselux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
3) use a material that does not conduct heat as well to either cover or construct the intake pipe out of.

A heat shield will not do **** if your intake pipe is burning up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is how i've always looked at it, whats the point of putting a "cold air" intake on your car if the superheated aluminum tub the air is moving through just ends up heating it. an ideal intake would b something that is insulated and also takes air from outside the enginebay. if there was one on the market that provided this, then i'd be first on the list to buy it

 

ditto man! Sorry, didnt know he was talking about the replacment filter. Also, once its dirty, IMO its hard as hell to get that thing clean again.

 

What does "FILTER" mean?
Imagine a tiny dust in your eye....
Painful, isn't it?

If the "FILTER" didn't stop this tiny dust going into your engine, imagine that pain between the piston and cylinder wall.

If you don't care about your car, or solely after the power with unlimited resources, take that filter off so you get unrestricted airflow intothe engine, but only if you can manage to rebuilt your engine often...

If you baby your car, go with what Honda intended. I mean, think about it.....
Honda spends millions of dollars testing the ar to be in the best "overall" condition
so that the way they sell cars, is the best way to keep it. Sure, you can "improve "
somewhat, because the stock condition is not the full potential condition. So, there is a give and take on ANY modification you do on your car. Even as simple as changing the tire width could change many things. So, at the "normal" life driving, think of any mods as your own satisfaction. You do it because you like it, or think it will be "better". But if you ask the Honda engineers the same question, they may not agree with you. You just have to keep in mind what the consequense your mod would do to your car, which most of the case, shorten the car's life. Again, if money is not the issue, go wild all the way! But if you are on a limited budget, stay stock...


So, back to your original question which has already been answered by other guys, which is well said, K&N sure WILL suck in more dirt than conventional filters.
So, which one do you want? More power/better(?)fuel economy? or extended life of your car?

It's up to you.

Modified by dodemoyoka at 4:22 PM 8/21/2005


Modified by dodemoyoka at 4:24 PM 8/21/2005

 

I think there is something to be said for car manufacturers taking the most cost effective route on certain parts of a car, especially ones that are not considered performance vehicles. Sure, these guys spend a lot of money R&D, but they are also in the business of making a profit. I think they try to shoot for a happy medium.

I have my doubts that either filter makes that big of a difference. I've used both in my cars over the years and didn't really notice much of a difference.

I say give the K&N a try. For $35 it's not that big of a risk. Just something else to spend your extra cash on, he he.

 

What you should be looking for is the K&N filter housing mated with a paper filter element. That way you have the best of both worlds; a swoopy chrome filter housing and an effective filter that requires a minimum of maintaince.

P

 

if the K&N really doest let in more dirt..is decrease on vehicle life really significant? has anyone tected to see how many miles u take off the life of ur car?and wussup with individual throttle bodys? i dunt see them running filters, how does dat work out? is it cuz there race onl engines and the motor gets torn down and rebuilt so often? but i also see some 'street' cars with individual throttl;e bodys...sorry if im trying to steal the thread, just though it was 'intake' related

 

They dont work ive tried k&n on 4 vehicles and they dont work period for better mpg.. I check my mpg after every fillup and in 3 years of use and trying convince myself I didnt waste my money I sold them.

Save your money for gasoline cuase your gonna need it.

 

K&N durastically improved my mpg

 

I understand that K&N does improve MPG and HP but they say taht the vents on the intake are to big and rocks and dirt go in and mess up the engine so change the head. my advice