Substantive Evidence K and N that harmful?
 

Is there really any horror stories or proven detrimental effects of k and n drop ins other than random off the wall stories on the internet. I've heard the oil and bad filtration argument on here a million times but honestly it seems like sour grapes. Is .07 less filtration that stock really that harmful over time if you live in a heavy industrialized city with few dirt roads?

I've never seen any smoking gun that K&N oil fouls your MAF (the real concern). Never seen any legitimate advantages to them either, so I'm not going to spend the money.

I've seen many threads on here dynoing drop in filters. They seem to all net about 5whp with gains seen across most of the rev range.

I ran a K&N filter in a 93 Mustang 5.0 I owned. Never had a problem with it, and I sold the car with 193,000 miles on it and it was still going strong. I have a K&N in my 99 F250 Powerstroke, and it's got 249,000 and counting on it with zero problems also. I will mention I live down a 1/2 mile gravel driveway in South Texas, so it's gets a little dusty around here also.

Like so many products that get a bad rep, it is often user error that is really the issue. in controlled tests it is regularly shown that the K and N has superior filtration abilities, WHEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, that means you have to read the little piece of paper in the bow that tells you how to "replenish" the filter, they now give specific amount of fluid that should be used to coat the filter element as there were previous issues (user error) where too much oil on the filter would throw off the MAF calibration and require cleaning the MAF....this is not a concern if you can read and follow directions, it is also the only filter that saves you money over factory or aftermarket filters in the long run, since it is a lifetime filter.

I'm guessing you are also running one on your frs too?
:)

Ironically, no. I have an AFE Dryflow drop in. I'm trying it out.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjwBiPm2W5Q"]MAF Mystery - Part 1 of 4 - Intro & Test Results - YouTube[/ame]

There is no free lunch... The less restrictive the filter the more dirt it passes. K&N claims that they don't pass "too much dirt" and I tend to believe them although I'd like to know precisely how they determine how much dirt is "too much" and why the OEMs all disagree and use better filters.

I like mine, I noticed a near immediate improvement to throttle response, sounds a little sharper and yes I noticed some extra HP albeit subtle.

You've only got to look at the compressor blades of a turbocharger where a K&N has been fitted in-front of it....

And what does that typically show??

my guess would be pitting of the compressor wheel

Have run exclusively K&N products on multiple vehicles and had nothing but great experiences and no problems on any of them.

I think it is dependent on the vehicle. I have had one on my 89 mustang 5.0 without incident, however I installed one in my wife's car (2004 Mazda 3) and it kept throwing a lean off idle code. When I opened up the intake the maf was dirty. So I cleaned it off then drove a few hundred kilometers and the light came on again. So I did some research and apparently some of the filters are shipped with quite a bit of oil on them and that the oil can come of the filter and foul the maf, which in a Mazda 3 is about 2 inches past the filter. After reading that I replaced the filter with a stock replacement and cleaned the maf. The car has not thrown a code since (30,00 kilometers).

I've been running a K&N cone filter on my Integra GS-R for over 10 years and my car runs just fine. Engine burns no oil and is currently at 299,000 miles. In my opinion anyone telling you a K&N filter is bad for your engine is full of crap.

Only 701k left on your warranty!

Given that the TRD filter is essentially a K&N (I have even heard it is manufactured by them) I doubt it is going to hurt anything. If Toyota trusts it, then IMO you should.

FOD

Foreign Object Damage?

WOW!! Nice information, good to know and should put some minds at ease. Never thought to talk about how the TRD is an oiled filter with filtration levels like that of a K&N, and its designed by Toyota and sold from the dealerships.

Yessir

K&N on my 1996 Mustang GT, my Fathers F-150, my 2004 corolla, my brothers 2005 corolla, my mothers 2008 Camry, my sisters 2006 Hyundai Accent and our old 2008 Rav 4 and 2008 Sienna No problems

Oh, also in my 2013 FRS...no problems.

over oiling can foul up a MAF just like putting too much oil in your engine can f*** things up too