Question. If I replaced the stock airbox with one of those cheap Ram-air pipes with a K&N filter on the end, will it have poor filtration that will be bad for my engine? I'm told that they have much worse filtration than a paper element.
K&N Poor filtering?
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I don't know about "much" worse, but all the studies I have seen show that oiled cloth filters do not filter as well as paper, and if you over-oil them they will foul up your MAF sensor.
I also do not believe that the oil cloth filters produce any more power, although they may flow better.
I have stayed with paper filters.
I also do not believe that the oil cloth filters produce any more power, although they may flow better.
I have stayed with paper filters.
JHZR2
Staff member
yes, and unless done right, youll pull in hot air. this air will be less dense and make your engine put out less power.
The 2.2 does not have a MAF. Personally I dont know if it will help much. You could always do something like..
http://colt45.ws/coppermine/displayimage.php?pos=-18
http://colt45.ws/coppermine/displayimage.php?pos=-18
Yes, be very careful about the mounting location. ^^^ What he said above is true, hot air = less power. The stock air intake usually pulls in air from outside the engine compartment somewhere.
I have the K&N washable filter, but it's in the stock airbox. I haven't had a problem yet and consider the $50 well spent as I can wash the filter and reuse it.
I have the K&N washable filter, but it's in the stock airbox. I haven't had a problem yet and consider the $50 well spent as I can wash the filter and reuse it.
I have 2 Fram AirHog filters that I got AR for practically nothing. I also own a Spectre that I paid less than $20.00 for. I will trade a little dirt for knowing that I will never have to buy another filter and I know that less waste will end up in landfills.
The Fram airhog was made by S&B and their filters are usually 8 layers of cotton gauze, so if the airhog is the same construction and seals good it should filter well enough. I also have a spectre filter which came w/ my intake, but I removed it b/c I couldn't find any info on it's efficiency.
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Well the only reason I would consider getting one would be to help performance, but from what I know of the 2.2 is that the air box, and head design are huge bottlenecks for power, so a new filter wouldn't really help.
Did you check out my pic? 2 minutes and a sawzall should fix the air box part of the equation.
I think the bottleneck on the airbox is the small pipe that feeds the bottom of the box and leads to who knows where.
I think the bottleneck on the airbox is the small pipe that feeds the bottom of the box and leads to who knows where.
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Originally Posted By: Jason2007
...I will trade a little dirt for knowing that I will never have to buy another filter and I know that less waste will end up in landfills.
IMO, paper filters are cheaper and a net environmental gain for the extra life you can get from the engine before it needs junked. A little paper in the landfill doesn't amount to much.
I stick with paper.
(OK not really paper, the thermally cured resin impregnated fiber--which we all call paper.)
...I will trade a little dirt for knowing that I will never have to buy another filter and I know that less waste will end up in landfills.
IMO, paper filters are cheaper and a net environmental gain for the extra life you can get from the engine before it needs junked. A little paper in the landfill doesn't amount to much.
I stick with paper.
(OK not really paper, the thermally cured resin impregnated fiber--which we all call paper.)
Onmo, doing that mod won't result in water being splashed up onto the filter when driving through rain, will it?
No. It is still over the fender.
I'm thinking about it.. Does it really affect performance at all?
*Shrug* Has to be better that the stock intake. I still have no idea where it actually inhales. I see it going down but cant find the inlet. I was told by a friend in high school shop it sounded like it had a 'intake' (meaning CAI) on it.
Ive got a buddy who has 200K on his Silverodo V6. 100K of those were on a K&N drop in.
I'd rather stick with a paper filter cuz I don't want anything cloged or get dirty inside. Besides those fancy filter just make the engine more noisy anyway.
Druango
Druango
This topic has been brought up a lot. If the air filter is a restriction, then a K&N will give a performance boost when the airflow required by the engine exceeds the ability of the paper air filter to flow. I doubt if too many manufacturers specify an air filter that is too small for the needs of the engine. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that just changing the air filter on an otherwise stock engine will do anything for performance. If the airflow needs of the engine are increased over stock due to modifications then the stock air filter may or may not have the flow capacity to handle the increased airflow need. In that case, the K&N may allow the engine to make more power. This is because the K&N flows more per sq. in. than paper. The K&N flows about 6.03cfm while paper is a 4.95cfm. Let's just say 6 vs 5, about a 20% increase in flow.
As far as filtering, there are mixed results on the 'net, but the concensus seems to be, and I agree, that K&N filters don't filter as good as paper, especially when the K&N has just been cleaned. So, for performance engines I go with K&N and for more mundane engines I go with either paper or the Amsoil EaO. If you want your engine to last longer (theoretically at least), go with paper, if you are willing to trade-off a little filtering for more longevity go with K&N.
Either way, colder air makes more power, about 1% for every 10F reduction.
As far as filtering, there are mixed results on the 'net, but the concensus seems to be, and I agree, that K&N filters don't filter as good as paper, especially when the K&N has just been cleaned. So, for performance engines I go with K&N and for more mundane engines I go with either paper or the Amsoil EaO. If you want your engine to last longer (theoretically at least), go with paper, if you are willing to trade-off a little filtering for more longevity go with K&N.
Either way, colder air makes more power, about 1% for every 10F reduction.
K&N is fine but I don't reccomend it on a AFTER market intake and or one that is not in the OEM BOX. I don't think they filter as well as they should after a few washings.
Just make sure to let it dry good and long after you clean it. Keep a dirty or new paper filter around if you need to use the car while the K&N is drying.. .
I have one in my 08 Civic Si but i'm using the stock airbox. reminds me that I need to check it and see if it needs cleaned cuz it's been about 6,000 miles.
Just make sure to let it dry good and long after you clean it. Keep a dirty or new paper filter around if you need to use the car while the K&N is drying.. .
I have one in my 08 Civic Si but i'm using the stock airbox. reminds me that I need to check it and see if it needs cleaned cuz it's been about 6,000 miles.
Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Did you check out my pic? 2 minutes and a sawzall should fix the air box part of the equation.
I think the bottleneck on the airbox is the small pipe that feeds the bottom of the box and leads to who knows where.
The air intakes on many cars comes out of the fender, forcing the clean air to turn and come in, while the dirty air flows past.
The tubing is designed to take enough air (usually 25 to 30% more than the outlet to the engine from the filter) so that there is enough available at the filter.
The opening is intentionally smaller than the filter box, causing the air flow to slow and much of the remaining dirt to drop out. This leaves cleaner air for the filter. By cutting a big hole, you eliminate this filtration step.
i could add my experiences with K&N, but this article explains better than any of us.
K&N BMW
Did you check out my pic? 2 minutes and a sawzall should fix the air box part of the equation.
I think the bottleneck on the airbox is the small pipe that feeds the bottom of the box and leads to who knows where.
The air intakes on many cars comes out of the fender, forcing the clean air to turn and come in, while the dirty air flows past.
The tubing is designed to take enough air (usually 25 to 30% more than the outlet to the engine from the filter) so that there is enough available at the filter.
The opening is intentionally smaller than the filter box, causing the air flow to slow and much of the remaining dirt to drop out. This leaves cleaner air for the filter. By cutting a big hole, you eliminate this filtration step.
i could add my experiences with K&N, but this article explains better than any of us.
K&N BMW
Never had a problem with the hole.
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