K&N question
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
K&N question
>I just purchased a brand new Ford F150, 4.2 V6
>My question: Does it make sense, or is there any advantage
>to me putting a K&N air filter in.
Well, barring any physical damage, you won't have to replace it for a million miles. Just clean and re-oil per their recommendations. Don't expect any real performance gains...The only reason I use 'em is that I don't have to replace them.
>My question: Does it make sense, or is there any advantage
>to me putting a K&N air filter in.
Well, barring any physical damage, you won't have to replace it for a million miles. Just clean and re-oil per their recommendations. Don't expect any real performance gains...The only reason I use 'em is that I don't have to replace them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
From: Southern MD
K&N question
I installed a K&N filter element in my '94 van. It has not increased my milage or performance one bit.
Sure, they don't need to be replaced for a million miles, but they do have to be cleaned.
For the $42 cost of a K&N, I can buy about 10 Motorcraft filters, and don't have to spend the time washing and reoiling them, or buying the special oil needed to service them.
Now, if you do the whole forced-air system, it may be worth it.
[img src="http://easyad.net/94vanavitar.jpg"]
'94 E-150 Conversion Van 4.9 / C-6
Sure, they don't need to be replaced for a million miles, but they do have to be cleaned.
For the $42 cost of a K&N, I can buy about 10 Motorcraft filters, and don't have to spend the time washing and reoiling them, or buying the special oil needed to service them.
Now, if you do the whole forced-air system, it may be worth it.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 1
From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
K&N question
I had a 97 F150 with the 4.2L V6 and that was the first mod I did on her. It helped her breath a lot better. It was the drop in style K&N filter, but I cut away a major portion of the outer filter housing cover to let it breath better. I did notice slightly quicker throttle response and you could hear the incoming engine air. The next mod I did was add a Flowmaster 40 series single in/out muffler and relocated tail pipe and she purred almost like a V8. She could turn heads with that mellow sounding exhaust. The throttle response was much quicker then. I highly recommend the K&N filter.
It only has to be cleaned maybe once a year. Maybe more if you live in real dusty areas. As for a mileage increase.......who knows. I did not add a bunch of performance parts for better mileage. I wanted speed and sound.
It only has to be cleaned maybe once a year. Maybe more if you live in real dusty areas. As for a mileage increase.......who knows. I did not add a bunch of performance parts for better mileage. I wanted speed and sound.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: San Mateo, CA
K&N question
I don't have the K&N in my 01 f150, yet. I'm waiting until it's time to change the first filter.
However, I did have the drop K&N in my 94 Mazda B4000 4x4(same as a Ranger). When I first installed it I noticed improved throttle response and an increase of about 1.4 to 1.6 miles per gallon (I checked my milage every time I filled up). The truck, a 4x4 with over 200,00 miles on the engine & tranny, was still getting 16.5+ mpg around town when it was stolen last August. That was better milage than the new Rangers are getting. The only other mod was thicker plug wires. Although I did put a Gibson cat-back about 3 weeks prior to losing the truck. It wasn't on long enough to get a good feel for the effect on MPGs. I sometimes wonder if the new cool sound attracted the wrong kind of attention.
Tim
However, I did have the drop K&N in my 94 Mazda B4000 4x4(same as a Ranger). When I first installed it I noticed improved throttle response and an increase of about 1.4 to 1.6 miles per gallon (I checked my milage every time I filled up). The truck, a 4x4 with over 200,00 miles on the engine & tranny, was still getting 16.5+ mpg around town when it was stolen last August. That was better milage than the new Rangers are getting. The only other mod was thicker plug wires. Although I did put a Gibson cat-back about 3 weeks prior to losing the truck. It wasn't on long enough to get a good feel for the effect on MPGs. I sometimes wonder if the new cool sound attracted the wrong kind of attention.
Tim
Guest
Posts: n/a
K&N question
I gained about 2 mpg with my F-350 crew cab 4x4 powered by a 460 V8. Now I get about 10 mpg when driven easy and about 9 when driven fast on hwy. 
Thanks,
Scott Moore
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Denver USA
K&N question
I put a K&N drop in on my stock Honda and I don't think that it made any difference. However, on my Stealth twin turbo, when I compared the open K&N with the stock airbox and filter, the difference is quite noticeable. The turbos spooled up MUCH fast with the K&N. Of course, I have other mods on the Stealth as well. I think that a K&N on a stock car wouldn't make any difference, but it's worth it on cars with other mods.
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