Replace K&N with Amsoil EaA

[Compman1988]

Hello,
I have a 04 Sierra 5.3L with a K&N FIPK cold air intake installed. I was wondering, should I buy an Amsoil filter to replace the oiled K&N? Any thoughts/opinions greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[bigjeffie]

my opinion, and all it is, expresses sorrow for your k & n purchase

i am a stock guy myself

 

[Compman1988]

Also (forgot to mention), I am worried about the oil on the K&N messing with the MAF sensor. Does anyone think the AMSOIL will filter the air better than the K&N?

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Pure opinion based upon research, reviews, friends experiences, etc., the K&N doesn't increase the power enough to justify its substandard filtering ability. Would never put one a vehicle I planned to own long term.

Now if we are talking a hot rod type vehicle with a nice exhaust system, etc. I'd worry more about letting her breathe over filtration.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Compman1988
Also (forgot to mention), I am worried about the oil on the K&N messing with the MAF sensor. Does anyone think the AMSOIL will filter the air better than the K&N?


If you mean an Amsoil EA type air filter, it will filter vastly better than a K&N

 

[bmwtechguy]

I recommend the EaA. Easier to clean. No oil or chance for fouled MAF meter. And as above post says, vastly better filtration.

 

[Turk]

I got a '03 5.3L. Had a K&N for a while. Removed it and happily replaced it with the EAA.

Go with Amsoil EAA.

 

[gto78]

I had the same question last week but only I'm using the oem style drop in filter. My K&N just doesn't filter out much, in fact I was left stranded on the turnpike in a rain storm last Thursday night- and it was because two small pieces of tree bark had gotten around or through the k&n filter and jammed up my MAF sensor. The car immediately stalled and wouldn't run at all until I figured it out, in the rain in the dark...

I have since done massive reading and research mostly based on names I found on this website discussions. If your replacing just the filter itself with a cone style, it looks like the AFE Pro Dry S is one of the big favorites, also AEM Dryflow is very highly rated. I basically looked through all the names I could find people discussing, then went to each manufacturers website and checked out the specs, looked for independent tests etc.

I almost bought Amsoil's ea filter until I found out that it can't be washed with soap and water, only vacuum or compressed air. It has a fragile thin layer of material on it that can't get wet or be scrubbed etc.

Fram makes a new filter called Synwash, which is washable and 100% synthetic. They claim 99% efficiency but I haven't seen any comparisons yet. Also, is that 99% from the beginning, or 99% after several weeks of driving...?

 

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted By: gto78
I had the same question last week but only I'm using the oem style drop in filter. My K&N just doesn't filter out much, in fact I was left stranded on the turnpike in a rain storm last Thursday night- and it was because two small pieces of tree bark had gotten around or through the k&n filter and jammed up my MAF sensor. The car immediately stalled and wouldn't run at all until I figured it out, in the rain in the dark...


Wait wait wait. How could bark jam up a non-moving sensor?

 

[gto78]

Originally Posted By: Dyoel182
Wait wait wait. How could bark jam up a non-moving sensor?


If you'd like I can take pictures to explain. But for now I'll do my best without pics. On my car the MAF sensor itself is housed inside a small tube similar to a venturi. It requires air to flow through this small tube- that's the air that comes in contact with the small wire sensor. Two small pieces of bark had lodged/jammed themselves inside the small air inlet of the sensor and were blocking all air from going in/out of the sensor... Then the engine sees zero airflow and therefore puts out the proper amount of fuel to the injectors to prevent flooding of the cylinders.

 

[Dyoel182]

Yikes. Either the bark is bigger than I'm thinking or the entry hole to the filter is smaller than I'm thinking. Regardless the K&N filter must have failed big time and I think you should be getting pictures and a claim together to send their way.

 

[Vincent_Vega]

If you are worried about your MAF just clean the danm thing once a year. And dont over oil the K&N. Simple as that. Jasus. Its not rocket science people. And please show me one instance of an engine failing because of a freakin K&N.

 

[gto78]

Originally Posted By: Vincent_Vega
If you are worried about your MAF just clean the danm thing once a year. And dont over oil the K&N. Simple as that. Jasus. Its not rocket science people. And please show me one instance of an engine failing because of a freakin K&N.


I just gave an example on my K&N that I previously swore by- leaving me stranded on the turnpike, in the dark, in the rain, 15 miles from home. And the funny thing is I had just cleaned it last month...The seal is poor quality on the K&N I use in my 350Z, and also in the Ford Explorer. I've recently cleaned a bunch of sand out of the intake tube on my explorer- it was conveniently sticking to all the oil that had sucked off of the filter.

I still like K&N for racetrack conditions, but not on the street.

 

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted By: Vincent_Vega
If you are worried about your MAF just clean the danm thing once a year. And dont over oil the K&N. Simple as that. Jasus. Its not rocket science people. And please show me one instance of an engine failing because of a freakin K&N.


As I've said before people arent damaging their MAFs with over-oiling, they are damaging them straight out of the box factory oiled. You wont see an instance of an engine failing from a K&N but you'll read plenty of stories about sensors failing due to a mysterious red oil, intake tracts coated in grainy dirt held together by red oil and high silicon levels in the used oil after a change to the K&N.

 

[Vincent_Vega]

Have not had 1 problem with mine in 3 yrs. I clean my MAF about every 6 months with the red spray can cleaner (cant think of the brand - CRT?) Engine runs fine with really no gain in mileage, but I think that i can tell that it has a faster throttle response. I have not done a UOA on my oil but I do plan on doing one soon, on a run of Amsoil 5w20 with 15000 mile interval. I think that this will be pretty cool. I will create a new topic and post my mileage there for anyone who is interested can see where I am at. Should be interesting. Might take me a year or more to get that sample pulled but its gonna be fun.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Compman1988
Also (forgot to mention), I am worried about the oil on the K&N messing with the MAF sensor. Does anyone think the AMSOIL will filter the air better than the K&N?
There is no comparison. K@N filters aren't very good as far as filtering goes.

 

[ocrstar]

An engine FAILING because of a K&N isn't the issue. The K&N is letting more dirt in the engine as evidenced by numerous UOA's, and all at a zero performance benefit for normal driving. Going to the track? Then go ahead a put the K&N in for a day. It may be of some help at wide open throttle.