Performance Air Filters like K&N, harmful?

**Horsepower** · September 22nd, 2009 05:41 PM

So I was looking for online prices in the US of K&N stuff, then I saw this:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/index....d=66&Itemid=76

The test results show that paper filter is the best when it comes to the task of limiting particulates to the engine. K&N however let a LOT of particulates in.

To K&N users, have you ever had a problem? What do you guys think of this test (and its revelations)?

What is the effect of particulates getting inside the engine? Will it pose a serious problem or is it something that can be fixed in a snap?

Many thanks in advance.

**uls** · September 22nd, 2009 06:00 PM

air filters that are supposed to let more air in compared to stock (like K&N) use filter material with bigger holes

nothing to worry about

it takes more than particulates to harm an engine

before (the Libis days) i would drive around with no air filter

one headlight removed, air goes directly into the air intake tube

the faster i drive, the more air gets rammed into the intake, the more power i get (fun

)

did that for quite a while

no damage to the engine

put the filter and headlight back when i sold the car

hehe

**jaymd** · September 22nd, 2009 06:04 PM

wet type filters(oiled like k&n) are harmful not with the engine but with the maf sensor. some people have these problems some dont. pero personally ok yan!

**glntVR** · September 22nd, 2009 06:21 PM

Hopefully I won't have a problem with mine. Just had one installed w/ my brothers 1.3 verita. K&N filter with their own(speedlab)tube.

**redorange** · September 22nd, 2009 06:36 PM

I have stopped using K&N filters and prefer a dry element filter like Volant and others that don't require oiling.

**speed unlimited** · September 22nd, 2009 08:55 PM

I use AEM dryflow synthetic air filter . No need to oil and it has a 99.4 % filtering ability.

**jjmd3_787** · September 24th, 2009 04:27 PM

I just uninstalled my SX8 City's K&N cold air intake set. More than a year kong ginamit ito. Ibinalik ko yung orig na config using an OEM filter. Why?

1. hirap mag-10km/ltr sa city driving (it used to be 10-12km/ltr before I installed the K&N CAI). Unacceptable because the engine is only 1300 EFI;
2. during rainy days, kung minsan ay taas-baba ang RPM ko sa cold starts. Some say it is common amongst CAI users pag basa o malamig ang panahon;
3. at medyo naging "offensive" ang amoy ng exhaust/emission nito.

*Kung maintenance ang paguusapan, istrikto ako pagdating dito. I never missed the scheduled maintenance checkup/services for my cars.

** I tried to drive it "by the book" pero talagang below 10km/ltr sa city driving. OK naman sa hiway kasi kaya nitong mag 14-15km/ltr.

I'll keep you posted on whatever results I can get . . .

**Daynger** · September 26th, 2009 06:08 PM

there was this test about aftermarket air filters..k&n didnt have good results,same with hks which is also famous..but APexi got the best results in filtering and performance...

**niky** · September 26th, 2009 06:28 PM

Aftermarket filters will never filter as well as the stock paper filter. Not a huge deal... just watch your oil and clean your filter regularly. Some guys even run carbs with open stacks on their cars.

If a filter and CAI affect your fuel economy, then the MAF adapter is sized wrong. That's why I always use the stock MAF housing, no matter what other mods I do to the intake.

**jjmd3_787** · September 30th, 2009 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by jjmd3_787

I just uninstalled my SX8 City's K&N cold air intake set. More than a year kong ginamit ito. Ibinalik ko yung orig na config using an OEM filter. Why?

1. hirap mag-10km/ltr sa city driving (it used to be 10-12km/ltr before I installed the K&N CAI). Unacceptable because the engine is only 1300 EFI;
2. during rainy days, kung minsan ay taas-baba ang RPM ko sa cold starts. Some say it is common amongst CAI users pag basa o malamig ang panahon;
3. at medyo naging "offensive" ang amoy ng exhaust/emission nito.

*Kung maintenance ang paguusapan, istrikto ako pagdating dito. I never missed the scheduled maintenance checkup/services for my cars.

** I tried to drive it "by the book" pero talagang below 10km/ltr sa city driving. OK naman sa hiway kasi kaya nitong mag 14-15km/ltr.

I'll keep you posted on whatever results I can get . . .

After a 6-day period observation, I was able to obtain the following results:
1. my FC is back to 10.5km/ltr city driving;
2. the RPM is always stable even in cold starts during this past rainy days;
3. emission odor is less offensive.

I guess I'll have to stick with OEM filters from now on. Sayang lang yung 5K+ na K&N CAI ko. Same goes to my other car na naka-Simota (carousel-type na pang-carb) naman. Nakakadismaya.