Install new K&N Air Filter?
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New User
Joined: Sep 2017
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Install new K&N Air Filter?
I had a K&N air filter on my F150 and liked it a lot. I want to do the same thing for my 2017 F250. The K&N filter does not come with the foam. Is there something I can do or do I go without the foam? I talked to the K&N guys and they said I didn't need it but I don't trust them. Any help would be appreciated.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 17
I had a K&N air filter on my F150 and liked it a lot. I want to do the same thing for my 2017 F250. The K&N filter does not come with the foam. Is there something I can do or do I go without the foam? I talked to the K&N guys and they said I didn't need it but I don't trust them. Any help would be appreciated.
If you don't trust them saying you don't need the foam pre-filter, why would you trust their filter on your $15,000+ engine? As far as I'm aware, none of the "performance" filters come close to the filtration level of the OEM filters and will likely reduce the service life of your expensive engine. My opinion is to leave those filters to the race folks who don't expect the long service life from their engines that the rest of us expect.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 962
Likes: 114
From: Middle TN
X2 on that. I ran one in my old V10 and after eating a mass sensor, replaced with stock paper and she ran better. It does not help to run one of those, more air flow in and the computer just compensates for it so no real benefit. I wouldn't think of putting one on my 6.7
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I had a K&N air filter on my F150 and liked it a lot. I want to do the same thing for my 2017 F250. The K&N filter does not come with the foam. Is there something I can do or do I go without the foam? I talked to the K&N guys and they said I didn't need it but I don't trust them. Any help would be appreciated.
I personally haven't seen an AM filter that out performed the stock Ford filters since the 6.0 started using Donaldsons unless you were putting out in excess of 500 H.P. It's your engine and your pocket book. If there was something better you don't think Ford would be protecting the possibility of warranty work by using it.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,154
Likes: 7,984
From: Texas
If you don't trust them saying you don't need the foam pre-filter, why would you trust their filter on your $15,000+ engine? As far as I'm aware, none of the "performance" filters come close to the filtration level of the OEM filters and will likely reduce the service life of your expensive engine. My opinion is to leave those filters to the race folks who don't expect the long service life from their engines that the rest of us expect.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,665
Likes: 164
From: Cartersville, Ga
If you feel like going A/M for an air filter setup, K&N doesn't need to be considered. There are better options for the 2017s. S&B would be my choice.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,040
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While I wouldn't do it again, I put an aFe drop-in filter in mine. It seems to be excellent quality and I MAY have realized .5 mpg improvement on the first tank. Other than that, nothing different. I would stick with OEM.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
I ran a Banks on my 6.4, only because I ran a tuner as well.
You have to ensure that it has the sealing capabilities as the stock filter. You cannot risk dirty air getting past the filter and dusting the turbo.
I just have the stock filter on my 6.7
You have to ensure that it has the sealing capabilities as the stock filter. You cannot risk dirty air getting past the filter and dusting the turbo.
I just have the stock filter on my 6.7
6.7 Weight Loss
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 5
From: Woodbury CT
I don't doubt you guys saying 'stock is sufficient' or Filter A is superior to Filter B. Most of us know what is said about opinions - not from Missouri, but in today's world show me the link to the independent study that shows which is 'best'.
Air filtration is a key component in the longevity of your engine. While the primary source of crap getting into our oil has shifted from the air filtration system to the egr system the air filtration system still plays a role. As well as what is mentioned above - keeping crap out of the turbo. I would love to see independent documentation on which air filter is 'best'. I'll toss my K&N in a heartbeat over something that provides better filtration without reducing airflow in a short period of time (10,000 - 15,000 miles). For my money K&N provides the best all around filtration, air flow and longevity - as was mentioned - we're not racing these things, just looking for upgrades over what Ford provides to increase the longevity of our trucks.
Air filtration is a key component in the longevity of your engine. While the primary source of crap getting into our oil has shifted from the air filtration system to the egr system the air filtration system still plays a role. As well as what is mentioned above - keeping crap out of the turbo. I would love to see independent documentation on which air filter is 'best'. I'll toss my K&N in a heartbeat over something that provides better filtration without reducing airflow in a short period of time (10,000 - 15,000 miles). For my money K&N provides the best all around filtration, air flow and longevity - as was mentioned - we're not racing these things, just looking for upgrades over what Ford provides to increase the longevity of our trucks.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2016
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K&N lets a lot of air in. It does so by letting a lot of dirt in as well. There have been independent tests of this. Maybe one of the best was done by an independent group using an air filter test machine on an OEM and several aftermarket filters for a Duramax. Here is one conclusion:
"In 60 minutes the AC Filter accumulated 574gms of dirt and passed only 0.4gms. After only 24 minutes the K&N had accumulated 221gms of dirt but passed 7.0gms.
Compared to the AC, the K&N “plugged up” nearly 3 times faster, passed 18 times more dirt and captured 37% less dirt. See the data tables for a complete summary of these comparisons."
K&N was near the bottom in filtration efficiency and one of the lowest longevities. It did have near the lowest restriction, but the difference in absolute numbers is small (less than 2" H20, or about 0.07 PSI). There have been many other independent tests with similar conclusions - just Google it.
"In 60 minutes the AC Filter accumulated 574gms of dirt and passed only 0.4gms. After only 24 minutes the K&N had accumulated 221gms of dirt but passed 7.0gms.
Compared to the AC, the K&N “plugged up” nearly 3 times faster, passed 18 times more dirt and captured 37% less dirt. See the data tables for a complete summary of these comparisons."
K&N was near the bottom in filtration efficiency and one of the lowest longevities. It did have near the lowest restriction, but the difference in absolute numbers is small (less than 2" H20, or about 0.07 PSI). There have been many other independent tests with similar conclusions - just Google it.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 241
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Another that spent some time doing a test, Not a manufacturer.
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 745
Likes: 10
From: upstate New York
I used the K&N in my gas Motors I learned one important lesson why never to do it again here's a simple test will end this discussion take a little vaseline and I mean a minor amount on your finger wipe the top of the airbox or inside the air tub leave a little film close the air box drive the truck for about a week open it up and check out the Vaseline covered in dirt you'll never use one again end of story.. now that was 2009 perhaps they've improved them don't know. Every 5000 miles I change my filter I buy them for $19 a cheap investment to keep the turbo spinning easy and not fighting restriction take care
6.7 Weight Loss
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 5
From: Woodbury CT
Thanks guys - exactly what I need sometimes - a swift kick in the a$$ - so now you guys have me on the hunt for something "better" than stock. By the NICO Club site, they seem to like the AC filter - I looked for S&B, they don't seem to make a "stock" filter for the 11 - 16 6.7. The AFE looks an awful lot like the K&N and is the same: cotton fiber / oil - not sure I understand the difference between the 30-10202 and the 30-80202 or how it would be any better than K & N - perhaps the weave is tighter. The Baldwin finished in what seems to be "2nd place". It looks like AC/Delco doesn't make a filter for the 6.7. I'm thinking Baldwin is the way to go here