K&N Air Filter System, worth it?

[FeralFord]

Hi Folks, This is my first post with a question. I have a 1995 F150/5.8L and was waondering how a K&N air filtration system would affect the performance and economy of my P'UP. It has 75k on the clock and I'm getting ready to do some mods. Nothing big, but just to make it more effective. Thanx,

[lovestrucks]

I have had the K&N FIPK2 system on my 05 V10 Excursion for about 5 years..I personally haven't ever seen any mpg gains cuz since it makes a cool little sound when you stomp on it..I seem to be stomping on it more haha. Performance seems good so who know's maybe I got a few hp's.

I've also never had any problems with it and regularly clean and oil about every oil change or maybe a little more frequently since we use it to tow our toys out to the desert where there's more sand/dust...Over-all never had any problems with it and if anything ever goes wrong with it then it has the million mile warranty.

The procedure to clean it isn't all that bad (do the same with my dirt bike filters) but maybe if I looked at another system I'd look at the some of the other companies that have the dry-filter such as aFe, Airaid, etc

[FeralFord]

Thanx for the data. I'm new to this stuff. Appreciate the other air filter infoo (aFe, Airaid, etc.) . I will use the truck to pound the backroads of northern Maine and Quebec with my canoe on top to paddle the rivers. I am also looking into putting a locking diff in the rear end.

[Briarcreekrat]

K&N filters are hard to beat . they are easily maintained and a wise investment if offroad is in your plans.

[tjc transport]

kn air filters are the worst investment you can possible make especially if offroading is in the plans.
the kn filter lets in far more fine particles than a stock filter, pretty much guaranteeing that you will dust the engine.

[Beechkid]

In an (true) off road environment, they do have benefit but in a dual purpose, there are issues verified & well documented............

Let's start with what they can achieve........

With regards to “Chips” and “Tuners”, years ago it was the best that most could do to enhance the ignition timing, fuel curve, transmission shift points, etc. It was (and still is) very important that a person verifies that the “Tuner” is ASE certified in both ECM and Transmission programming and IMHO be have current certification by the OEM whose vehicle you want to modify. There are plenty of persons who advertise their programs to be the best and even offer custom tunes, but in all reality, very few actually have credentials in these areas- but that’s not to say that some of these “geniuses” haven’t really caused damage to a few vehicles- just jump over to flatratetech.com and read just some of the comments from the MSE techs!. Perhaps what is equally important is the parameters that can be adjusted are set by the OEM vehicle software…so there is really no “magic” in what they are doing anyway.

Now lets chat about CAI units with programmers......

Now about this new marketing hype that if you have a CAI you need a custom program………….hogwash!!!!!! The OEM software system is designed to adjust the fuel mixture up to 10%.......that’s more than enough to handle fuel mixture adjustments up to 7,000 foot elevation change! (for high elevations 8,000+ there are oem software programs for those specific applications) The 5.4 V8 for example if close to stock can only suck in a maximum of 480 cfm and a flat panel filter will flow 500 cfm, there is simply no way any CAI on a relatively stock engine can increase the air flow enough to exceed the ECM’s ability to adjust and maintain the correct fuel mixture. The only reason for the “custom” program to support the CAI is because the design is poor resulting in false readings from the air intake sensors, etc….period!

Let's talk about HP/TQ claims...........
If you look at the dyno charts from many of these supposed HP/TQ increases, they are typically around 5%-7% at peak rpm ranges…….guess what, 5% is a standard deviation even amoungst mfg dynos and the most important item is……these “expert tuners” (at least most) do not have or choose not to test their results (in comparison to the oem intakes) during actual vehicle motion (or simulation- such as a wind tunnel) as the oems do.

Let's talk about the oem intake tube (late model) design.....
What many view as an issue (is the plastic intake tube with its noise canceling design) actually increases air pressure. It is the same hydraulic concept used by fire fighters creating water supply where psi is low. By having the air cross the path at a 90 degree angle, the pressure is increased proportionally. Fire fighters use what is called a “4-way valve” or “Blake Valve” at the hydrant where the water is cycled through the fire engine (pump) and sent back into the valve crossing the water flow at a 90 degree angle. In this case it also acts as a sound canceling device! At low speeds, this can reduce the flow a tad (which is what most “feel”), but in terms of peak hp/tq, a good high flow filter is all that is needed.

Let's look at the ISO certified test facility flow testing..............
Recently, Testand Corporation conducted an ISO standards test on automotive air filters which can be viewed at this link: http://www.dieselbombers.com/chevrol...r-testing.html. All I can say is this explains in detail the reason for

(Arlen) SPICER wrote,

“Now that I am not doing the tests and my objectivity is not necessary, let me explain my motivation. The reason I started this crusade was that I was seeing people spend a lot of money on aftermarket filters based on the word of a salesperson or based on the misleading, incomplete or outright deceiving information printed on boxes and in sales literature. Gentlemen and Ladies, Marketing and the lure of profit is VERY POWERFUL! It is amazing how many people believe that better airflow = more power!

Lets chat about e-component contamination.......
Ford/GM/Dodge all have “watch-out” bulletins where the oil has contaminated intake sensors. - they even have a training video for the techs on this (flatratetech.com) . I personally experienced this on a new, 1997 Cougar Sport 4.6 V8........well documented by Ford & K&N whom I purchased the oem replacement filter directly from refused to refund/honor the warranty........all of which occurred both by mail & in person at a trade show within 90 days of purchase (induced 3 failures in 90 days).

Lets look at other flow tests run by other machine shops (non-certified).....
WIX HP filters flow 98+% of K&N and have a much smoother flow post filter plus excellent filtering, for a fraction of the price!

$$! Unless you are talking about a system that was specifically designed for a specific (higher than normal performance) application there are very little hp/tq gains actually achieved in a street use vehicle and there are very few docs that these mfg’s can produce that actually show an increase in hp/tq in the power-band range of a relatively stock street vehicle- that isn't within that 5% range I previously spoke about.


IMHO, if you live near any major city there are excellent tuning specialists with dynos who for the same price (if not less) will tune your vehicle taking into consideration your specific needs including environmental conditions, for your specific vehicle. IMHO, the best bang for the buck!

[timberwoof]

Wow that was a lot of info.

[lariat97]

Don't waste your money on a K&N kit. Do some tuning with a SCT tuner & open up the exhaust a little. If you aren't planning to build lots of power & run much higher RPM than stock your stock air filter is all you need. I'll never use a aftermarket intake on a stock motor again. All they add is noise.

[tjc transport]

and for the people that claim all the off road racers use them, the off road racers rebuild the engine after each race too.
the dont worry about a dusted engine.

[Beechkid]

Originally Posted by timberwoof

Wow that was a lot of info.

Sorry for the over-load 9if it was)...a moderator on another forum ripped me for not including all references (he said it required footnotes just like a college term paper) when I make replies like I did....that is why the long reply

[antilla99]

I've used K&N filters/systems in all of my gas vehicles. Got nothing but good to say about them. Just my opinion, everyones got one.

[bryyce62]

I prolly wouldn't use one on an oil burner, but I run a FIPK on my '03 5.4L SD. Had it for 'bout 100K miles. Never had any problem with it.

[skscci]

Well, after reading the posts in this thread I have decided that the minimal (if any) value from adding an aftermarket 'high performance' oiled air filter are just not worth the risks to my new turbo diesel so I just won't do it.

That being said, I have followed the link posted earlier about filter comparisons, and it seems to me that the AC Delco filter is the best all-around filter when it comes to the widest variety of categories.

Anyone have any comments / preferences as to a brand / model?

Thanks.

Steve.

[khadma]

Your stock 5.8 with a 4.9 air intake tube and MC filter will work just as good as an expensive set up.

Put your money else where, exhaust is a start.

[khadma]

High flow cats!