Very interesting read...K&N not worth it???
 

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...lter-test.html


I know its a mustang site, but it is a very interesting read on how a K&N filter swap affects horsepower. Possibly biased???

Thats odd, i've always been very happy with my K&N purchase. Was debating getting one for the FR-S

My tuner also said the oil from them can reak havoc on a mass air meter. I myself have ran a K&N on everything, dirtbikes, cars and even my cbr600rr. Interesting though.

There are very little gains to drop-in filters. The old days of 14hp from a filter a LONG gone. But, a little bit freer flow is good for efficiency and it'll be the last filter you buy for the car.

I wouldn't recommend a K&N for people who drive in high-dust environments as they don't filter anywhere near as well as a disposable filter. My WRX that I RallyX gets paper filters.

Yeah good point. Yet, losing horsepower is another thing. In every test they did it was like a 10hp loss over paper. If you figure everytime you reoil it a clean it your forking out another 10 bucks. So yes you have it for life but, if it hurts horsepower and possibly gas mileage since it isnt doing as good as a job as a paper filter in the air flow department. I think I purchased my last K&N.

Sure, so is it really worth it to let more dirt into the engine just to avoid changing paper filters every year or so?

And doesn't the oil from the filter end up in the intake, etc.?

I'm pretty happy with my k&n filter on my BRZ.

so you did back to back dyno tests and logged an improvement?

There are tons of threads on other forums where guys have dyno'd cars and lost power with aftermarket drop in filters.

Usually people have problems with oiled filters after they re-oil them and use too much oil. I haven't really read too much about oil filters causing problems when they come straight from the manufacturer.

I used the aFE dry filter in my Jeep so I figured I'd dyno the BRZ before and after with both their dry and oiled versions to see what happens. I don't look at drop in filters as a HP improvement generally, I look at the fact they are washable and you basically never have to buy another air filter.

Another member I think did a test with a drop in filter (can't remember which brand) and no filter and it seemed to lose power versus the stock filter. However, even with the loss of power some feel a throttle response gain, I don't know how real that is either...

Wasn't able to do back to back tests on Dyno. I was able to do 1 free run during a brz\frs meetup I was able to hit 170whp but that was with k&n filter and lighter wheels.

I'm pretty sure K and N filters are the same as TRD filters. Just cause some guy thinks he lots 1-3 hp means nothing. There is easily that much variation between dyno runs. I personally use stock filters. All filters are over-designed. Thats why they are about 15 times bigger than the throttle opening. They are designed to handle a lot of dirt with little to no effects, so when they are new or close to new you dont need a performance filter, they flow just fine. I think Perrin did a test that showed no gain WITHOUT a filter. Just use OEM filters and save yourself 30 bucks.

I'll stick with oem or good quality aftermarket paper filters personally. Never was a fan of oiled filters. My lawnmower has an oiled filter - nuff said.

Not sure there's a dyno that measures purchase satisfaction.

K&N in all my vehicles, no problems in the past 12 yrs or so, and the recharge kit lasts a long time, most noobs soak their fllter with oil thinking its better, and then their maf sensors fail...


These articles come out every few years or so....just like the synthetic oils debates:iono: