k@n air filter
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 242
Likes: 8
From: Cape Coral USA
ping pong ball test
I once saw an air-flow ping pong balll test where they blew air throgh a K&N or stock filter (depending on which was installed). When the K&N was in, the ping pong ball was blown all the way to the end of a tube and hit the stop. When the stock filter was in the ball didn't even make it 1/2 way up the tube. I was rather impressed by this. This was at a parts store and they said I could pull the filters off the shelf myself if I thought the filters they were using were mocked up so I took them up on the offer and did. - Seeing is believing.
Also, since putting K&N in both my wifes Sable and my F150 I've never bought another filter. I just clean, re-oil and re-install. How can you beat that?
~john
Also, since putting K&N in both my wifes Sable and my F150 I've never bought another filter. I just clean, re-oil and re-install. How can you beat that?
~john
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Area
I previously used K&N's in all my vehicles, but I don't recommend them now, especially for Fords with the truncated cone type filters. Those are very aerodynamic filters and are unlikely to present much restriction.
I do think the K&N's pass somewhat more dirt. This probably is not noticeable in normal usage, but will show up as increased throttle body contamination and valve wear above 100,000 miles.
I wouldn't claim this is a real scientific test, but I do have two vehicles, purchased new, that now have in excess of 250,000 miles each. One got a K&N and the other didn't because that size was not available. While both still run quite well, the K&N equipped vehicle has often required throttle body cleaning and uses a quart of oil per 1000 miles. The other has had its throttle body cleaned, but has never had stalling problems due to that. It uses no oil.
I do think the K&N's pass somewhat more dirt. This probably is not noticeable in normal usage, but will show up as increased throttle body contamination and valve wear above 100,000 miles.
I wouldn't claim this is a real scientific test, but I do have two vehicles, purchased new, that now have in excess of 250,000 miles each. One got a K&N and the other didn't because that size was not available. While both still run quite well, the K&N equipped vehicle has often required throttle body cleaning and uses a quart of oil per 1000 miles. The other has had its throttle body cleaned, but has never had stalling problems due to that. It uses no oil.
Last edited by MrBSS; Aug 4, 2005 at 09:49 AM.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
if your willing to pay the money i would recommend that you get the whole k&n cold air intake. i noticed a difference in power. it also helped a lot with running nitrous.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, WI
I think the claim that a K&N doesnt filter as well as the OEM paper filter is BS. The K&N meets the same filtering standards as the OEM filter.
I have a K&N filter in my '99 F-150. The throttle response seems a little bit quicker and Ive gained 2 mpg.
We've used K&N filters on all of our vehicles for years. We are yet to have a single problem with any of them.
Octane
I have a K&N filter in my '99 F-150. The throttle response seems a little bit quicker and Ive gained 2 mpg.
We've used K&N filters on all of our vehicles for years. We are yet to have a single problem with any of them.
Octane
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 43
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the only way i could see k&n lot filtering as well as stock is if you never added the oil to help grab dust and other particles. i do a ton of off road driving and drive through dusty cornfields at work and i've never had a problem with it not filtering well.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: MI, USA
Originally Posted by cjl
if your willing to pay the money i would recommend that you get the whole k&n cold air intake. i noticed a difference in power. it also helped a lot with running nitrous.
i ask b/c i have been wondering how much of a difference there is b/w running a K&N with the stock intake vs. running the complete kit. i bought the filter and modified my stock intake kit to allow more airflow, but now i'm wondering whether i should have gotten the whole kit?
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 43
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i noticed a difference from just running the filter compared to running the whole kit. you won't notice it as much if the rest of the truck is stock. but i have headers and am running 100 shot nitrous and it made a huge difference. it really let my engine breath a lot better.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, WI
Originally Posted by tb40nd
i ask b/c i have been wondering how much of a difference there is b/w running a K&N with the stock intake vs. running the complete kit. i bought the filter and modified my stock intake kit to allow more airflow, but now i'm wondering whether i should have gotten the whole kit?
However, unless you have headers, a high-flow cat and duals, I dont think it gains you much other than noise. Its like trying to pour a 50 gallon barrel through a straw vs. trying to pour out a 20 ounce bottle through a straw, either way the water will only pour out so fast because of the bottleneck at the straw.
Octane
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,610
Likes: 2
From: Northwest, Arkansas
I have always run them on my trucks and never had a problem. Like someone above said if you do not over oil them they will give you no problems. Now when I put just the filter in I notice very little or no advantage over the stock set up so I recommend the whole cold air intake system. With it I definitely noticed a difference in throttle response and in mpg.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Octane
The cold air intake lets the engine get a lot more air than it would with the stock airbox.
However, unless you have headers, a high-flow cat and duals, I dont think it gains you much other than noise. Its like trying to pour a 50 gallon barrel through a straw vs. trying to pour out a 20 ounce bottle through a straw, either way the water will only pour out so fast because of the bottleneck at the straw.
Octane
However, unless you have headers, a high-flow cat and duals, I dont think it gains you much other than noise. Its like trying to pour a 50 gallon barrel through a straw vs. trying to pour out a 20 ounce bottle through a straw, either way the water will only pour out so fast because of the bottleneck at the straw.
Octane
This is very true but you also have to remember the air that is entering is cooler than a stock intake. which means you will have a more effecient fuel burn which lets you get more power and better mileage. if your planning on doing any later work to the engine you might as well get the kit, if not it may not be worth the money.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: MI, USA
Originally Posted by cjl
i noticed a difference from just running the filter compared to running the whole kit. you won't notice it as much if the rest of the truck is stock. but i have headers and am running 100 shot nitrous and it made a huge difference. it really let my engine breath a lot better.
Originally Posted by Octane
The cold air intake lets the engine get a lot more air than it would with the stock airbox.
However, unless you have headers, a high-flow cat and duals, I dont think it gains you much other than noise. Its like trying to pour a 50 gallon barrel through a straw vs. trying to pour out a 20 ounce bottle through a straw, either way the water will only pour out so fast because of the bottleneck at the straw.
Octane
However, unless you have headers, a high-flow cat and duals, I dont think it gains you much other than noise. Its like trying to pour a 50 gallon barrel through a straw vs. trying to pour out a 20 ounce bottle through a straw, either way the water will only pour out so fast because of the bottleneck at the straw.
Octane
i know one thing - with just the filter i sure noticed a difference in performance. man i wish i could afford to do everything at once b/c i just can't wait to see what this thing runs like with the new intake/filter, tb, electric fans, new ignition system, and the single program superchip! i'll have the new exhaust this weekend.