Do k&n type filters ruin your engine?

Strider590

motorguy wrote: »

In reality, on non specialist cars, they just make a nicer sound (to some peoples ears)

On a lot of modern cars though the reality is you're losing power because of them - modern engine bays are that cramped that theres no easy way to get cool air to just the filter on its own.

Depends on whether it's an induction kit or simply a replacement panel filter.

Retrogamer

Strider590 wrote: »

Depends on whether it's an induction kit or simply a replacement panel filter.

On most cars (not all though) the induction kit gives the best noise, but you lose a little bit of power due to heat soak.

On most cars with K&N style panel filters you'll gain some noise, power will be the same but it will be less effective at filtering out dirt & dust particles.

motorguy

Strider590 wrote: »

Depends on whether it's an induction kit or simply a replacement panel filter.

True. But the O/p said cone filter and thus thats what i (and i thought we) were talking about.

And likewise, even an induction kit wont necessarily improve air flow. On a 370Z, you'll still lose a little power with a full blown induction kit, and on a Clio 197 i think theres only one that betters the standard breathing.

So i wouldnt assume that an induction kit "will" improve BHP.

Strider590

^^ They are almost entirely pointless, if your not changing the inlet manifold and carb/throttlebody assembly (depending on age), then all it'll do is increase wear if you don't keep it cleaned and well oiled. It's basically more work and very little saving on panel filters.

My kit car has K&N filters on twin 40 DCOE carbs, foam filters are a fire hazard, so there is no real alternative. I do 1000 miles a year in it, I clean and oil the filters every April.

I would guess that most people who buy them never clean them, in fact popular motor factors often sell the filters but not the cleaning kits/oil.

motorguy

Strider590 wrote: »

^^ They are almost entirely pointless, if your not changing the inlet manifold and carb/throttlebody assembly (depending on age), then all it'll do is increase wear if you don't keep it cleaned and well oiled. It's basically more work and very little saving on panel filters.

My kit car has K&N filters on twin 40 DCOE carbs, foam filters are a fire hazard, so there is no real alternative. I do 1000 miles a year in it, I clean and oil the filters every April.

I would guess that most people who buy them never clean them, in fact popular motor factors often sell the filters but not the cleaning kits/oil.

They make a nicer noise, and make your car sound a bit quicker if not actually making it go any quicker.

Thats enough for some people.

Whilst we havent fitted them to 370Z, there are those who do simply because the engine sounds quite muted (in fact is quite muted) relative to its performance.

There was a cone filter on the 172 i had earlier on in the year and that - along with the upgraded exhaust gave it quite a note and added to the drive "fun".

[Deleted User]

I had a K&N panel filter once that just went into the airbox like a normal cheapy filter does. You cleaned it with some special oil stuff and reuse it. Can't say I ever noticed an improvement although this was on a gutless 8v 206 at the time.

motorguy

Deleted_User wrote: »

I had a K&N panel filter once that just went into the airbox like a normal cheapy filter does. You cleaned it with some special oil stuff and reuse it. Can't say I ever noticed an improvement although this was on a gutless 8v 206 at the time.

In theory, better air flow, but as you say, unlikely to translate into any extra powere in a regular pug 206.

forgotmyname

Too much oil and it wont flow, and it can get oil onto MAF sensors etc. if you have them.

Too little oil and it wont filter.

Most are probably fitted and seen as a once in a lifetime job. Never to see the light of day again.

mr_accountant

surely on fuel injected cars the fuel and air intake is controlled by the ECU, IIRC, 14.7 to 1, therefore placing a k and n wont do anything good or bad, just make some extra noise. stick to the manaufucatures and change as shown in handbbok

Strider590

You get more air flow at high RPM, where the ECU would normally choke down on fuel to keep AFR at 14.7. The difference is minimal though, unless you can get a full cold air induction kit to go with it.