Quick question, fitting a K&N high flow air filter on a Focus

Mark A · 7 Mar 2009 at 00:11

Hey guys,

My sister and her boyfriend got me a K&N 57i highflow intake kit for my Focus as a birthday present. Not something i would ever of bought but it would be rude not to fit it. We had a go at fitting it but it started going dark and there was something we weren't 100% sure on.

In the instructions it says: "Carefully lengthen the flexi cold air hose and feed the hose under the battery tray. Pierce a hole in the top of the hose sleeve and secure the hose to the air box mounting bracket using a long plastic tie supplied"

The hose i have got with the set doesn't appear to have a sleeve, its a single skin metal flexi tube. I'm not sure i should be piercing this? Has anyone fitted one of these before?

Lum · 7 Mar 2009 at 04:21

I can't answer your question directly, sorry, however are you aware that you need to declare this modification to your insurance, who may refuse to let you, or put your insurance up.

"Insurance says no" will be a good excuse if you don't want to fit it

Gilbretto · 7 Mar 2009 at 11:02

remember that it'll make a fair bit of noise also.

Some like it, some don't...

Hunders · 7 Mar 2009 at 12:19

When you say flexi tubing are you talking about the type that looks like a slinky with tin foil over it? If so then go ahead and just pierce it - it won't do any harm.

Mark A · 7 Mar 2009 at 14:27

Hunders said:
When you say flexi tubing are you talking about the type that looks like a slinky with tin foil over it? If so then go ahead and just pierce it - it won't do any harm.

Thats the one. Thanks

.

remember that it'll make a fair bit of noise also.

Some like it, some don't...

Well I'll see what it sounds like and if i don't like it I'll remove it. Theres no point modding my car as its a 1.6 lol, but they just got it me out of the blue. He bought one for his Type R civic and it sounded good so he must have thought i would like one.

Matthew.M · 7 Mar 2009 at 15:35

I had one of these when I used to own a Focus.

I never bothered with the "cold air feed" foil hose I think you're referring to.

But anyway, it made a MASSIVE difference to the sound when accelerating. I've helped fit K&Ns and other induction kits to numerous cars but strangely the Focus makes the biggest increase in noise.

You might like it, you might not. I removed mine after a week. Way too much noise for the speed of the car

Mark A · 9 Mar 2009 at 17:39

Matthew.M said:
I had one of these when I used to own a Focus.

I never bothered with the "cold air feed" foil hose I think you're referring to.

But anyway, it made a MASSIVE difference to the sound when accelerating. I've helped fit K&Ns and other induction kits to numerous cars but strangely the Focus makes the biggest increase in noise.

You might like it, you might not. I removed mine after a week. Way too much noise for the speed of the car

Any reason why you didn't fit the cold air feed? I'd like to leave this bit out if possible as it'll be easier to swap over should it be too loud but i thought this part would be needed? Did you just leave the original cold air feed in place then?

Matthew.M · 9 Mar 2009 at 18:20

Mark A said:
Any reason why you didn't fit the cold air feed? I'd like to leave this bit out if possible as it'll be easier to swap over should it be too loud but i thought this part would be needed? Did you just leave the original cold air feed in place then?

I bought a second hand K&N and the cold air feed wasn't in the best condition so decided to leave it. I think I left the original snorkel in too, can't remember exactly it was a long time ago and I didn't take any photos.

I eventually ended up using the 2.0 air deflector and the ST170 snorkel and airbox (managed to get them cheaply) which made a more noticable difference in power/responsiveness. And without the OTT noise

flyingears2002 · 9 Mar 2009 at 18:25

Dont bother with it. your paper one will flow better. just take it out and replace it more often.

Mark A · 9 Mar 2009 at 18:48

flyingears2002 said:
Dont bother with it. your paper one will flow better. just take it out and replace it more often.

The only problem is its a gift. As long as it doesn't reduce power and isn't too loud I'm not bothered. At the moment i don't have the silencer thing on the air box so its a little louder than stock anyway.

richard104 · 9 Mar 2009 at 19:00

Matthew.M said:
I bought a second hand K&N and the cold air feed wasn't in the best condition so decided to leave it. I think I left the original snorkel in too, can't remember exactly it was a long time ago and I didn't take any photos.

I eventually ended up using the 2.0 air deflector and the ST170 snorkel and airbox (managed to get them cheaply) which made a more noticable difference in power/responsiveness. And without the OTT noise

LOL i never knew you did this matt....i have done it now and it makes a reasonable difference. If i were you i would start off by just buying the auto deflector most bang for buck. ST170 Snorkel is more of a faff ie buying a new airbox (about 30 odd on ebay) i just got a BLOW torch and melted the snorkel into a round shape.

This has no real relevance to your question sorry (OP)

1CE · 9 Mar 2009 at 19:44

If your going to change the induction on a focus, the only one really worth considering is using an st airbox, st snorkel, 2l automatic air deflector and a k&n panel filter. I've tried the majority of them and the cheapest works out the best lol ..... If you can change the mounting location of a cone filter then it may be worth it, it's not exactly located in the best place, especially on the 1.8+ engines.