Sorry guys, I know there are a lot of threads on K&N drop in filter but I still could not convince me to use it or not after reading them. I just received my K&N air filter yesterday, installed it and then took it off after reading some professional reviews on K&N air filters. The reviews say that K&N lets in more dirt into the engine when compared to paper filters and the oil on the K&N could seriously damage the sensors. So it is pretty much 1~2 hp gain and a few more mile per gallon but short engine life/dirtier engine. I have never used K&N before and need advice from you all. Is it worth the risk? Have anyone of you run into any problems?


here are some of the reviews that scared me away..

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm

http://www.performanceoiltechnology....testhedust.htm

http://www.acura-tl.com/forum/showth...n&pagenumber=1

I really don't want any louder engine noise hence CAI or SRI would not be right for me.

Thx

 

read here,, note these are SAE tests results not testimonials or emotional sales tactics,, I still use a K/N cone on my CAI because Amsoil doesn't make one that will fit.

http://www.amsoil.com/products/ts.html

 

Keep in mind what your referenced websites are trying to sell you and you'll soon see why other products are deprecated.

K&N filters are fine. As someone pointed out to me a while ago (I had a similar question), K&N has long ago proven itself to make an effective filter. Aparantly, it was initially designed for off-road motorcycles racing through the desert. Those engines did just fine. K&N is a good product.

Of course I wouldn't expect any significant gains in MPG or HP. Purchase it because of it's lifetime use, not for gains.

 

I've used them on my vehciles dating back to the mid 80;s. I put 120,000+ on them before selling them and while I cant scientifically prove that no damage was done, most of the cars never used oil, and my oil usually still looks pretty good at 5k. If the air coming in were dirtier, the oil would reflect that since the rings are not airtight. The oil on the sensors is from not letting the filter dry after oiling it. There is a slight improvement in throttle response but not a lot. If anything, it tends to remove that part throttle, mid-rpm flat spot most engines have. I noticed no additional noise in any of mine. I'm sticking with them.

 

Comptech's Icebox does not make a significant change in engine noise. It comes with a Uni foam filter. Some have changed this to the K&N.

Food for thought.

 

Some of the info you got was correct, just not put into facts that support the K&N....

The filter does let in more dirt then a paper filter. That is of course without any oil, or a little bit of oil on it. The oil is what makes the filter block dirt.

The oild does damage sensors. However only if you over oil the filter. I'm talking about using a whole bottle on 1 filter. Even then it would only mess with the MAS air sensor on the car.(it's between the air filter & the tb) Alot of cars DO NOT have these sensors. The CL/TL & most Honda's do not.