Air Filter Report
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
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Air Filter Report
Wanted to post this to possibly help anyone deciding which air filter to go with. I swapped air filters this week with a NAPA Gold Series. I wanted to go with a K&N but after reading reviews of their performance in these trucks I would never get one. I wanted to get as close to a stock Motorcraft filter as I could. They don't sell those in autoparts stores, at least not around here. But, I heard the NAPA Gold Series was identical to stock. This is NOT true but they are close. The NAPA worker even claimed it was. I think I counted 42 ridges in the NAPA and 47 in the Motorcraft. Also, the NAPA ridges are about double in length. I can slightly tell there is a little more sound and air flow with the new filter. Anyone else use this filter?
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
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From: Sioux Falls Area
I live on gravel so i buy the best air filter i can, and then run them for far too long because i'm lazy.
i've used the Napa Gold and was quite pleased. I've also used the Puroilator PureONE filter, which is an oil impregnated paper filter, and i've been very pleased with that one as well.
PureONE Air Filters
The nice thing about the Napa gold filter is, in very dusty environments like mine, you can take it out and bang the dust out of it occassionally, or blow it out with an air compressor to run it a little longer, whereas, with the PureONE you cannot do that because of the oil.
I'd even use a fram if there was nothing else on the shelf.
i've used the Napa Gold and was quite pleased. I've also used the Puroilator PureONE filter, which is an oil impregnated paper filter, and i've been very pleased with that one as well.
PureONE Air Filters
The nice thing about the Napa gold filter is, in very dusty environments like mine, you can take it out and bang the dust out of it occassionally, or blow it out with an air compressor to run it a little longer, whereas, with the PureONE you cannot do that because of the oil.
I'd even use a fram if there was nothing else on the shelf.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 45
From: Timbuk3, MI
MCDavis - WIX makes a nice high quality paper filter as well. I ditched the K&N a while back and slid in the WIX. Got it off Amazon for a pretty ridiculous price .
-click- the pic'
Goth 150
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
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From: Sioux Falls Area
AFAIK, ALL napa filters are made by WIX.
their oil filters are cheap to boot. i think i paid 3.99 for a napa gold oil filter when i realized i had run out after draining the oil and removing the filter.
kinda felt like having an automotive affair ... but i wasn't going to drive 50 miles round trip to get a motorcraft ... WIX makes a good filter.
their oil filters are cheap to boot. i think i paid 3.99 for a napa gold oil filter when i realized i had run out after draining the oil and removing the filter.
kinda felt like having an automotive affair ... but i wasn't going to drive 50 miles round trip to get a motorcraft ... WIX makes a good filter.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2013
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Hey All, new here and just bought a 2013 Super Crew with a 5.0. I installed a K&N air filter as soon as I got it. What's with the poor reviews with this filter. I also had one on my 2002 Dodge Ram with a 4.7 V8 and had 167,000 trouble free miles with it.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 911
From: Montana
Basically, the K&N hype is just that, hype. The cost in possibly diminished engine life or other components for a possible (though not likely) .5 horsepower gain at 7,500 RPMs simply is not worth it.
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Senior User
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Yea thats's what I have heard as well. The disadvantages are: the K&N is known to let more dirt in the engine, give you less power in low rpms, and gives you a small loss in mpg's. The advantages are: more power in higher rpm's, and you can clean the K&N to reuse it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,392
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From: Dayton, TX
Ill never go with another K&N. Last truck I had one on was a 2004 xlt 4.6. I work in dusty conditions and it clogged the throttle body. Caused it to stick and idle rough, sometimes even die at red lights and stop signs. Stock or Volant Power Core is the only thing I will buy again.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 163
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From: Brighton, MI
Another former K&N user here. In addition to not filtering as well, I've also heard that the oil can cause issues with mass airflow sensors.
Just buy the paper ones and change them often, that's what I do.
Just buy the paper ones and change them often, that's what I do.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 705
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From: Clay Country, GA, NE MS
I just bought a new air filter for me '02 5.4 from Napa after checking at two other places. Reason I got Napa filter - it was made in South Korea. Right boys, I figured that was better than all the made in China filters I found at other places. If any of y'all boys find any air filters made in USA, let me know. Hey, living in Mississippi, if they start having Chinese imported catfish, I'm gone! Don't know where to, but it'll be time to pull a Hank Snow.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 481
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From: Tualatin, OR
I ran a K&N in my 2000 Expy. I had to clean the throttle body flapper valve once a year due to oil making it stick. The darn gas pedal would stick and I knew it was time. Finally ditched and had no more problems. I will never buy one again especially with my ecoboost.
