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Re: K & N air filter-any benefits? Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: K & N air filter-any benefits?, Dana ![]() |
I agree with David, that it's not worth it.
In the turbo especially, breathing isn't limited by the filter - there are other system restrictions that outweigh the air filter. Is there some power gained by going to a less restrictive filter? Probably theoretically but not actually. The drop across a filter is a function of flow; the biggest drop would be at wide open throttle, when the turbo has plenty of excess capability to suck air; there would be minimal if any power loss. At at WOT, gas mileage is poor, period. When cruising, the throttle plate is pretty much closed, so flow is low; any pressure drop across the filter is low, and the restriction not an issue.
I could see it in a normally aspirated engine where the plumbing was restriction-free and the filter was the major issue. So I don't think you'll get any additional power or improved fuel economy. It might be noiser, because the air filter does a pretty good job of muffling intake noise. The car may sound faster. As to gas mileage improvements, even minor driving changes impact those, so I suspect many 'improvements' come from folks driving a bit more carefully, expecting better mileage and therefore getting it.
Additionally, I'm not sure it has improved filtration. It might. But the standard air filter works pretty good. Yes, you can go 'a million miles' on the K&N, but I doubt many folks do. The standard paper air filter isn't that expensive, so unless you install the K&N when the car is new, and keep it for well over 100K miles, I don't think it actually pays for itself. Add in the questions about filtration effectiveness, and I just go stock.
posted by 192.249....
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