westend wrote: I noticed an increase in power off the line and a very small increase in mileage using the K&N in a Ford F250 w/5.4. I do believe they offer more airflow to the engine than the stock filter. Maintenance is a breeze, they sell a cleaning and reoiling kit that will get you through three or so cleanings of the filter. I saved my stock filter so, when servicing the K&N, I use the stock filter while the K&N is drying from the cleaning procedure.
This is not a snake oil product like gas additives. The filters are sturdy and surpass the OEM filter in construction. I never did tally the cost differentials but I'm guessing the cost of the K&N and the cleaning kit is less than OEM filter replacement at suggested intervals.
Well said. I've been running K&N's for nearly 14 years. As noted they are easy to clean/recharge and pay for themselves in a year or two. I clean mine twice a year, about every 6000 miles. The Dyno test show the 5.4L picking up 16 additional HP though you have to get to almost 4400 rpm to see all 16.
Here is what I know after 30 years in the filtration business.
The K&N filter will give you slightly more air flow and with more air flow slightly more horsepower. However it does this buy providing less filtration efficiency. Like anything in life you have to make choices. K&N choices air flow over efficiency. I chose efficiency, the small amount of horsepower or mpg increase is not worth the risk. The efficiency may only be 1 to 2% at the most but what that really means is that over twice the amount of dust got into my engine.
What you have to look at is how much dust passes through the filter not how much dust the filter collects.
You won't find a K&N filter on any of my vehicles.
OBX-GL wrote: I have recently been doing some mods and research in this department. The benefits are really specific to each trucks stock set-up. Generally 10 hp/tq or less. Where these products become relevant and greater rewards can be reaped is when accompanied with mods on the exhaust side,as a part of a bigger mod they are more useful.
Really my conclusion was unless you are a gear head and work on your truck as a hobby or related parts need replacing your better off replacing the tow vehicle if you need more pep as the $ to power gains were not impressive. lets say in my case $2000 parts and labor to gain 60 hp/Tq.
Best mod bang for the buck would be a QUALITY performance chip. There are a lot of chips out there that claim a lot but do nothing. Super Chip or Predator seem to be the goodies and for $350 will offer flashes to your computer to increase mileage,Tq in a towing mode, or performance,then can reset back to stock when needed. Again gains are specific to your truck and its setup.
The K&N air filter is handy though.Increases your air flow some and is reusable.
I agree with this opinion 100%. I have installed the K&N panel filters in all my vehicles in the past 10 years or so with no adverse effects.
On my old Xterra, it gave me Slightly more power - at the readline. And LOTS more intake noise all the time. Up kirker pass empty, I picked up about 3 mph.
Had one on 2006 f150 5.4 with no issues. Was installed in conjuction with 3in catback exhaust and hypertech power programmer.
That truck was fast and really came alive after the install. just installing cold air intake or direct replacement will not show much improvement.
My 2011 F150 4x4 6.2 was at K/N for dyno testing to get stock numbers. 348 hp and 368 Ft Tq at wheels stock.
They did a mock up of the new cold air intake kit for that truck and will have numbers for the truck when the production part is installed and dyno.
IMO i like the results i got from having one and will install one on my new truck. Work on a fleet with several installed and have not found any extra dirt in intake tube on thottle plate. Just like anything it all about how u service it. Joe
2011 F150 4x4 6.2 Platinum
2012 ViewFinder 28BHSS
Equal i zer WDH
I my opinion any oil saturated filter is a bad thing. K&N as a brand is an expensive hype filter. Go to your local napa and just replace the filter with a new one.
On a Dyno with a Duramax diesel just replacing the filter or even a cold air unit netted very little gains. The stock filter on a Dmax is good for at least 500 wheel HP. I think the "Cold Air Intake" units act as a placebo effect to your brain. Most remove resonators and reflectors which give you a air wooshing sound. makes you "feel" like you are getting more.
2008 Silverado 2500HD DMax LTZ cc sb 4x4 EFILive tuned, Blocked, Deleted, Rerouted and removed B&W Turnover ball and 5th Companion
02 F250 4x4 Auto Ex LWB SRW 7.3L B&W, RideRite, 5"exhaust. TW6 chip. 195k
2011 Sabre 32BHOK-6
Ran them for 200,000 miles in my last truck and 100,000 miles in the current truck. No real performance gains. I've saved a bundle in filter costs.
Like anything it on a vehicle, it has to be maintained and maintained correctly.
Clean and oil it regularly and correctly. If you foul you MAF you oiled it wrong (user error).
2010 29' Jayco, Jay Flight 26BH First real camper
1960 Montgomery Ward popup with slide out galley.(Restored in 2010)
2004 Ford, F150 4x4 lariat 5.4L V8, 3.73 gears, pipes, FIPK, tuner.
Many many mods to the truck
Offline
B&W Turnover ball and 5th Companion
