K+N Air filter

[trevor123]

Hi, Do any one use this kind of air filter on their car/4x4?

As I found this on some web site, reading thro it it say help to cut most of black smoke while towing a caravan and increase horsepower, Thank you for your help, Trevor

 

[xtrailman]

I had one a long time ago, all they do is reduce the filtering, so presumably more air will enter the engine, but at the expense of reduced removal of air born stuff that the original filter would remove.

The one i had also created more induction noise, which could be sporty, or annoying, depending on your mood.

Any power increase, if any will be small. I don't see how it will reduce smoke, which is usually a result of over fuelling.

The only real advantage is the ability to clean out the filter, and reuse it. Maybe worth having if you diy, and intend to keep the car for some time?

 

[AlfromYC]

I've fitted a K&N fitted to our past 3 cars.

1st was and escort 1.6 petrol

2nd 2ltr DI vectra

3rd our current Ford Galaxy TDi

They DO NOT reduce filtering, they have a more effective filtering system, that also lets the engine breath better.

BHP gains are minimal, unless other tuning bits are added, but the K&N filter range is cleanable and comes with million mile warrenty iirc. So if you keep the car for several years, you'll make the cost of the K&N back via savings on the OEM airfilter price.

 

[xtrailman]

I believe they do reduce filtering, to increase air flow you either have to increase the area of filter medium, or reduce the medium.

I believe the medium is reduced.

 

[otherclive]

Ray, just because there is less material in a K&N filter it does not mean that the filter efficiency is less. The prcess by which an oiled screening filter works is different to that of a paper elelement filter. If you look on the K&N website you will find information on how it works, and the links to quite a lot of international test houses that have carried out comparitive tests.

 

[xtrailman]

K&n will always make claims, i have tried other products that claim extra performance or economy, they didn't work?

If as you say they are that good, then why don't all the major companies fit them?

The oil filter will always let larger particles pass through, hence more air.

 

[otherclive]

In answer to your question cost. And reduced servicing income.

To your second comment K&N produce thier filters to meet ISO and SAE standards so comparitive performance data is available between oiled cotton and paper element to the same standard. I don't see paper element manufacturers giving much info away. Also witha K&N what you see is what you get. Unless you change your own filter for a branded and know product how do you know its performance.

I have used K&N for many years and with cars going up to 130k never had a problem.

 

[Philspadders]

since most modern cars use mass air flow sensors and oxygen sensors to regulate the air used in combustion a k & N is really an expensive bit of bling.

The only benefit in a modern car is that you can take it off /out ,wash it and reuse it.

When we used naturally aspirated engines ( ie a carburretor) then k & N were the filters to have as they often had an a very large surface filtration area and improved flow rates over paper filters and were often nice and bright and chrome plated.

Now years ago i had an Alfasud 1.5ti with 2 twin choke carbs.I fitted a k & N toeach carb and by god it helped the performance but the noise,you could hear me coming from miles.

 

[xtrailman]

Phil

I agree, when i was young and a boy racer, i tried all manner of gadgets to compete with my mates cars, my old mk1 cortina still beat most of them, i fitted a oil mesh filter to that, made a lot of noise, which sounded good.

Nowadays the in noise is the waste gate blowing off, and of cause the throaty exhaust, and bass booming stereo?