k&n filter
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 5
From: All over Texas
You'll never feel 10 HP in a 6000# truck. I've gone back and forth between paper and K&N and can't tell a difference. Many swear that the K&N lets harmful particles through that are ultimately digested inside the engine. Also the oil on the filter can gum-up the MAF sensor if too much is used.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
I put one in my '98 and swear I felt a difference but I swear my cars run better after I wash them and change the oil too! Seriously, it does make a bit of difference and it sounds cool too. Only a dyno before/after would tell you if it gets you 10 HP...don't believe what K&N claims. As for the filter letting larger particles through, that is true but...if you change your oil/filter regularly and don't run in a dusty environment much I doubt it will cause any problems. Follow the directions for how to clean and oil it and you shouldn't have problems with gumming things up. I just put a custome intake with a K&N filter on my Intrepid R/T and it has made a BIG difference. I also upgraded the intake on my Harley (along with exhaust and chip) and it's a HUGE difference. As posted above, with a 6000lb truck it is harder to notice much improvement but it's there.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 5
From: All over Texas
I agree with Sturge, after hand car washes, my truck runs smoother than before. There are less sqeaks and rattles too.
Rembember 10 HP on a dyno would equate to only around 6-8 at the rear wheels due to inherent inefficiencies in the drivetrain.
Rembember 10 HP on a dyno would equate to only around 6-8 at the rear wheels due to inherent inefficiencies in the drivetrain.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I had one on my "01 SCrew-it did sound nice! The downside, which is strange, is that the truck shifted from 1st into 2nd at low (1800) RPM on a hard acceration - I took it off and it shifted fine (immediatedly) - put it back on, same old problem.
I ended up leaving it on because I liked the sound. I honestly can not validate any power or milage change one way or another.
I ended up leaving it on because I liked the sound. I honestly can not validate any power or milage change one way or another.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mountains of Albert
I put a K&N air filter in my VW Vanagon Westfalia because I needed to squeak every bit of HP out of the 2.1L I could. I noticed a solid 2MPG increase and a little more power, which to me was worth it. I'm not sure you'd notice much better performance with something like an Expy. I have a 5.4L and am going to stick with paper. Anyone notice any difference using K&N on the 4.8?
-----------
Spencer
97 5.4 EB
-----------
Spencer
97 5.4 EB
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
Here are some dyno results of a K&N on a 3.0L Ranger (not paid for by K&N), and as you can see there was no difference. IMHO, they are not worth the $$, and not worth the risk of damage from dirt injestion, or contaminating the MAF sensor....
http://www.jackphelps.com/ranger/dyno1.htm
http://www.jackphelps.com/ranger/dyno1.htm
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, Kansas
K&N Intake
The restrictive stock air box vs. the free flowing intake does make a difference in the amount of air the throttle body has to work with. You will gain some power, but it shouldn't be the only engine mod you do.
The best thing is to chip your computer. Superchips Microtuner will help you achieve greater horsepower gains than just an intake. The tuner will let you change shift points and even let you adjust the speedo/odo if you put larger tires on. I have a '98 which can't take advantage of all of the features of the tuner, so I bought an actual flash module which stays on my computer.
There other mods like a less restrictive exhaust (cat-back system), Trans-go shift kit for your tranny, and some hotter spark plugs like iridiums.
The best thing is to chip your computer. Superchips Microtuner will help you achieve greater horsepower gains than just an intake. The tuner will let you change shift points and even let you adjust the speedo/odo if you put larger tires on. I have a '98 which can't take advantage of all of the features of the tuner, so I bought an actual flash module which stays on my computer.
There other mods like a less restrictive exhaust (cat-back system), Trans-go shift kit for your tranny, and some hotter spark plugs like iridiums.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
I just put a "drop-in" K&N in my 2004 Expy. I can't say that I noticed any power increase. However, I can almost swear I get 1-2 MPG worse than with paper! Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to change back to paper on my next fillup and see if it really is worse with K&N. Just wondering if anyone out there has noticed worse gas mileage with the 5.4L w/K&N?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: Valley of the Sun AZ
I have one in my f-150 and there is only a difference in the gas mileage that I get. I put one in the wife’s Expy and it got worse mileage and messed up the MAF sensor. Both are 5.4's There has been a lot of debate on if they work and if they are good. I am not sold, but it seems to work for one and I will not put it in the wife’s Expy. Go figure
Go figure
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: IN
Originally Posted by yorel23
I just put a "drop-in" K&N in my 2004 Expy. I can't say that I noticed any power increase. However, I can almost swear I get 1-2 MPG worse than with paper! Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to change back to paper on my next fillup and see if it really is worse with K&N. Just wondering if anyone out there has noticed worse gas mileage with the 5.4L w/K&N?
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I put a K + N on the wife's '03 5.4 Expy without telling her. The next day after she drove it I asked if she felt a difference with it and she said yes it seemed as if it had more power.
I averaged around 17 MPG on a recent trip and that was at a constant 80-90 mph.
I averaged around 17 MPG on a recent trip and that was at a constant 80-90 mph.
Last edited by Super_Irish; Sep 12, 2004 at 08:33 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Winmagbar
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
57
Jan 28, 2016 07:15 PM
moose94
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Dec 30, 2004 09:23 PM