Anything to be gained from a K&N filter?

matt100

matt100

matt100

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I'm slowly getting round to a light breathing on my now out of warranty focus ST and I'm pondering a K&N air filter, I may possibly go with an induction kit at some point but what I want to know is is there anything to be gained from having the filter?

increased performance?

better economy? Not that I really care tbh

better engine health?
 
matt100 said:
I'm slowly getting round to a light breathing on my now out of warranty focus ST and I'm pondering a K&N air filter, I may possibly go with an induction kit at some point but what I want to know is is there anything to be gained from having the filter?

increased performance?

better economy? Not that I really care tbh

better engine health?
Click to expand...

You wont see an increase in performance. Maybe a little difference in induction sound which will make you think it's got a little more umpff.

Nope, no more economical.

A K&N filter lets through more dirt than a standard filter.
 
Orange Peel said:
You wont see an increase in performance. Maybe a little difference in induction sound which will make you think it's got a little more umpff.

Nope, no more economical.

A K&N filter lets through more dirt than a standard filter.
Click to expand...

It would be a negligible amount if you clean them properly (which most don't)
 
matt100 said:
so a general all round no then?

I figured a "performance" part would be better?
Click to expand...

even on my 2.8 V6 turbo vectra

im told it has zero "peak" bhp increase and just helps the engine breather a little easier at the top end.

oh and adds a nice induction noise.

i'm still buying one though. Buy one by all means, but dont expect miracles from it.
 
I don't really have a problem with my car getting noisier either as long as the noise is doing something?

i normally drown out the exhaust noise with radio 4 :) (no I'm not joking)
 
agw_01 said:
Which would be overcome by the now audible turbo spool ;)
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I used to work next to Turbosystems in Newcastle , Staffs and used to spend too much time after work looking over their many creations, many of which had K&N's as it was one of the done things..... imo the K&N made quite a nice addition to the spooling sounds of the RST & Cosworths. :)
 
my car came with one. i swapped it for a pipercross when i could see holes through the K&N, some about 1mm across

its meant ot be a filter

id stick with the oem part personally
 
My 540i had a K&NH filter in it when I got it. One of the first things I did was take it out and replace it with an OEM one.
I don't trust K&N filters. The minimum filtered paticulate size just isn't small enough for my liking.
 
It depends if you're referring to the K&N panel filter or the cone induction kit - i'm assuming the former?

There's very very little to be gained from those, I doubt the sound would even change much if at all
 
Pretty negative responses here, personally I'd investigate how restrictive the OEM filter might be.

On most Impreza's for example said filter is rather restrictive and a new filter really opens up the throat.
 
I have one on the MR2 and clean it regularly. Over the standard airbox (which is absolutely bloody ridiculous with the multitude of auxillary chambers and stupid detours for the airflow) it offers MUCH better sound and increased throttle response. I cleaned it out the other day and I swear I got around 25-30 more horsepowahz too.
 
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