K&N Filter yes or no?

[Mtnboy]

So I've had K&N on a Toyota that I owned but it was on there when I bought it so I never got a good "before and after"

I've been told they can improve both horsepower and mileage, is that true at all?

I actually did some pre production testing for them back when they were making a big push into the dirt bike market, I know some of the results we got were pretty impressive for what we were trying to accomplish with the filters...however, that's a completely different application.

 

[realunlucky]

Have them on two separate cars and one without. I noticed no gain in performance but didn't really check mileage before and after install. I actually really like tossing the filter and replacing rather than cleaning and reoil and then install. Also to me dusty roads really clog up a k&n but maybe they are just better filters. I'm sticking with paper filters in the future

 

[JPD350]

I bought a T100 a while back and it had a K&N filter, I ended up removing it. I had to pull the throttle body and intake manifold and clean them because they were really really fouled up and creating some issues, I put the stock filter back on and everything has been nice and clean and running smooth.

I do think if someone took care and made sure they didn't put to much oil in the filter it could be a good system but after seeing the inside of the throttle body and manifold there is no way I want to clean those parts again.

 

[littlebuf]

i have k&Ns on every thing except my powerstroke as there are better options for diesels. keep them clean and oiled (properly) and they will out preform a paper filter any day of the week. you can not argue that they let more air in, performance and mileage im sure are subject to interpretation. again keep them clean as you would any paper filter by replacing and you have a superior product on your air intake.

 

[JG358]

I've been told they can improve both horsepower and mileage, is that true at all?

I've never noticed a difference in either. I dont think theyre worth the hastle especially after seeing how much dust got past the filter in my D-max.

 

[bowinhand]

I tried one and didn't see any real difference in performance and at the time I only had one vehicle so it was an all afternoon job just to clean/dry/recharge the filter. I think my time can be better spent on something else

 

[flyinsquirel]

I bought a T100 a while back and it had a K&N filter, I ended up removing it. I had to pull the throttle body and intake manifold and clean them because they were really really fouled up and creating some issues, I put the stock filter back on and everything has been nice and clean and running smooth.

I do think if someone took care and made sure they didn't put to much oil in the filter it could be a good system but after seeing the inside of the throttle body and manifold there is no way I want to clean those parts again.

^^^This

Not worth having to clean everything downstream of them on a regular basis. The oil covers the MAF and can actually make you get worse mileage due to incorrect air flow readings. I also believe that in life there are no free lunches, more air flow probably equals less filtration. If I'm not going to see noticeable mileage gains, I'm sticking with a paper element.

 

[wapitibob]

K/N is a good way to ruin a motor in dusty conditions. Dust as in 12" of powder on your haul road. Ours didn't seal for #### and ruined a motor in one of our crew rigs. Chainsaws and dirt bikes yea, trucks, not a chance I'm taking again.

 

[husky390]

Had them before, never noticed an improvement. I use WIX paper filters on my cars and I wouldn't dare put one on my quads or dirtbikes.

 

[goodgrouper]

Washable type filters are not for everyone. I have one on my hot rod powerstroke because the factory filter was to restrictive with the rest of the aftermarket parts. I have two for it so I can swap a clean one on then wash the other. But I wouldn't run one on any of my other vehicles because the stock setups are great.

 

[husky390]

But I wouldn't run one on any of my other vehicles because the stock setups are great.

That's actually a great point. These new vehicles are dialed in and it's hard to beat stock. Just look at the hp/torque numbers on a new Tundra w/ the 4.6 vs a 96 Chevy 5.7. It's tough to beat stock nowadays.

 

[_Nick_]

Paper filter. Replace at regular intervals. It catches all the fine particles that a K&N can let go by if you forget to oil it. The more you forget about a paper filter the LESS it lets into your engine. The reverse with a K&N. Paper filters are also cheap.

 

[wapitibob]

They can get expensive. The paper filter in my powerstroke is $90.

 

[_Nick_]

They can get expensive. The paper filter in my powerstroke is $90.

Wow. Well then a reusable filter in your case could make good sense! In my 12v it's like $20 bucks every 30-40K (when the filter actually ends up too dirty to be able to just knock out the dust).

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I like them, noticeable difference on my '62 Ford Falcon, not so much with the Dodge Neon....don't have one on a truck.

 

[KMD]

Just about to turn 200K on my Tundra, had a K&N on it since the first 1K miles. Remember noticing a perceptible difference in performance after installing, plus a more 'throaty' sound out the Borla exhaust. I keep it clean & oiled correctly, never a problem in ten years with the same filter element.

Also, I routinely remove & hit my MAF sensor with brake cleaner, as a matter of PM...

 

[5MilesBack]

They can get expensive. The paper filter in my powerstroke is $90.

Is that the Donaldson filter? I think I paid about $60 for my last one.

 

[fulldraw1972]

Are we talking just adding a K & N filter or a K & N cold air intake?
I don't know if just a cold air intake will show noticeable gains or not. But you match it up with a programmer and a good tune then you will get noticeable gains.
I have an air raid cold air intake with a Diablo tuner and a Hemifever tune. I gained 33 horse on the dyno. My milage has increased about 2 mpg highway ruffly. The only way you will notice a HP gain is on a dyno.

Cold air intakes can't hurt if your looking for gains. Your pcm reads air flow and will adjust fuel as needed.

As far as stock tunes being the best. That's not entirely true. Most vehicles are derated with a stock tune.

When it comes to cleaning. To much oil is a problem. Mine doesn't like a lot of oil. If its a problem put a catch can on. That will keep you intake oil free.

I don't know much about the Tacoma trucks but I do know there isn't a good programmer or tune to wake a tundra up. I am not really a Chevy guy but man there are endless opportunities to wake up a gm motor. The 6.2 LX motors can really be tinkered with.

One last thing. A cold air intake and a throttle body spacer will really make your vehicle throaty.