getting rid of my k&n air filter

[coolhunting]

I swapped in an Amsoil EaA air filter (stock air box/ drop-in) a couples of months ago in my Jeep. The unit provides good unrestricted air flow from idle to ~50% throttle, however, it noticeably restricts airflow and affects the engine performance from ~50% to WOT (stock filters do this as well). In fact I'm a little concerned at WOT, I don't believe it is good on the engine to restrict air flow at high RPM.

The K&N drop-in filter (also used in the Jeep) definitely provides better air flow from ~50% to WOT and the engines does run with considerably less stress under these conditions. I have used the K&N drop-in filters for several years in many vehicles (e.g. 4WD, sport cars) without any problems, just better performance; I am not throwing away my K&N's just yet!

In my application:
Amsoil EaA filter - very good up to ~50% throttle, better filtering (I'm sure I'll see a visual difference in my oil changes)

K&N filter - very good up to WOT, poorer filtering (not as much an issue due to my 3,500 OCIs)

 

[preludedoug]

Very interesting thread.
So much so, I decided to throw in my 1st posting here!

I've usd the K&N's on several of my vehicles. Not huge performance gains, but I liked the idea of a good fitting,re-usable filter.

My latest is on my 97 Prelude VTEC.
I have the K&N on it and notice substantial performance gains in accelerations from 4-6000 rpm's.

After reading this thread, I decided to try a Napa Gold (Wix) at the tune of $ 24.00.
I noticed a difference in the higher rpms range. The Wix made the engine feel "plugged up" or "smothered".

Also, my VTEC engagement didn't seem nearly as pronounced.

I know some of this placebo effect, but there WAS a difference in performance.

Now, based on that I still like the K&N, but the "dirt getting through" concerns me.

BTW, I'm using Valvoline Syn 10-30, with K&N oil filter. My OCI's are sually between 5-6000 miles.

So, doing those OCI's, would that address the small amount of potential dirt that would get into the system?

Or, is there a better suggestion out there from anyone?
i.e. different high-flow filter better filtering?

Thanks

 

[kkreit01]

^ If you want an alternative, you can check into AEM DryFlow, aFe Pro Dry, and Amsoil AE are all dry media filters.

This debate has been discussed on here several times, and typically ends in a locked thread. Some have the proof that K&N let more dirt in (silicon levels in UOA). But, I don't know of any hard proof of K&N actually causing a premature engine failure. Many haved used them for years and 100,000 miles. In the end, you're probably better off making your own decision on your air filter, and learning in the other threads.

 

[parreda]

Got rid of mine and went with the afe pro dry

 

[tig1]

It's amasing what a couple PPM will do to the human psychy.

 

[sparkplug]

After 40k miles, one week camping on dirt roads, trails and mudding with my K&N drop in, the engine side of the filter and ducting is as clean as it was new. I've always has good luck with K&N's. highway mileage went from 17.6 to 19.2. Hand calculated over 2800 miles (trip to FL and back.)

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: sparkplug
After 40k miles, one week camping on dirt roads, trails and mudding with my K&N drop in, the engine side of the filter and ducting is as clean as it was new. I've always has good luck with K&N's. highway mileage went from 17.6 to 19.2. Hand calculated over 2800 miles (trip to FL and back.)


That is not surprising, thanks for posting your experience. I have NEVER had a problem with any K&N filter.

 

[pzev]

Ditto, refer to my post in the other K&N thread. Basically, 280K with a K&N on the original motor and it all runs great. straight 50 weigth oil and fram filters to boot!

This was on a mid 90's Chevy truck with a 350. (not my car)


I personally have 80K on my K&N...no trouble.

 

[TallPaul]

I have three K&N filters in my garage. They are practically worthless. I don't mind initially, but the re-oiling is an art and I am not an artist. Besides they are only an advantage at high rpm where you need to move a lot of air. It's like Redline Oil, great product, but not for the average Joe.

Where the K&N may be good is if you have a filter that is very difficult to change out. Drop in a K&N and forget about it for about 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

 

[Dualie]

I think the huge K&N bashing trend started with the popularity of Turbo Diesel pickups.

A diesel will consume 6X the air volume at idle compared to a gas motor of the same displacement. This goes up as RPM's Increase. The air filter better be up to the task or the engine will suck it right off its base and dust intrusion will follow.

 

[surfstar]

I've run a K&N knockoff from eBay on my car since 80k miles. The couple times I cleaned it, I oiled the [censored] out of it, but let it sit/drip dry before reinstalling it the next day. Never had any oil on the MAF or MAF screen, never had any fine dust (tissue wipe test) past the filter. The couple UOAs I've done, had single digit Si readings over 5k mile intervals.

I'm currently at 271k miles.

 

[BigJohn]

At 25k miles I put a K&N in my daughters Toyota Yaris. At 30k miles I sent a sample off to Blackstone.

The report on Mobil 1, 0W20 came back with only one 'red flag'!

Silicon was high at 19ppm.

Wonder if my new K&N had anything to do with that?????

By the way, I purchased my K&N at PepBoys around the Christmas sales. Retail was $59 and with a $20 off coupon, I paid $39.

 

[JustinH]

Heck for 40 bucks, you could buy 4-5 paper filters for that thing.

 

[joel95ex]

I am getting rid of the K&N on the durango today. i picked up a fram, but am going to order the EAA ...just wanted it off of there ASAP .... my accord has 318K miles with a K&N but i am getting an AEM dryflow for it.... my concern is the fine stuff getting in.... and my goal is longevity so the K&N is ready to leave.

 

[demarpaint]

I ditched my K&N filter about 5 years ago, after learning it allows fine [censored] into the engine. My goal is longevity as well, and the slight HP gain they claim isn't worth it.

 

[BAD1]

I have a K&N on our Saturn SL2 and it works well from our prospective with that said maybe it isn't for all applications, I put a Amsoil on our SX4 and it runs better than a cone filter I got with our SRI I have a pre filter on it so it helps save it from the big stuff.

Good luck with your Amsoil air filter and hope you enjoy it as I do.

 

[hal]

I have had K&N air filters in 4 different cars, airbox is always nice and clean on the filtered side. i have never had any problems using them and until reading this thread was unaware that others did. i change my oil at least twice a year so it doesn't get too dirty anyway, but if i look through the filter with it facing light there appears to be no area where there would be a problem with dirt passing through. a while back i saw a site testing several different filter brands and K&N did very well blocking dirt/dust. considering it flows better than OEM it may not filter quite as well but the difference is absolutely negligible. there are several other aftermarket filters out there that let a LOT more crud through. i am about to send off for a UOA so if silicon levels are high, it might be a deciding factor. otherwise i do not think i would ever worry about using one of these filters.

 

[hal]

here, read this, not the same review i saw a while ago but another good example: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm

 

[BAD1]

Originally Posted By: hal
here, read this, not the same review i saw a while ago but another good example: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm


Would the same be said for this Amsoil cone filter??

I have noticed a big difference in power from the other cone one I had on, it was/is no good.

 

[hal]

im not sure if its the same filter material or not, sorry.