10mdxer

Do any of you have the K & N performance air filter for the 4G, especially the 2012 TL? Does it make any positive difference at all in the drive? I used to have a 3 series years ago and it did make a perceivable difference. But in the Mazda6 I had before the TL I didn't practically notice any difference when I put in the K&N filter. In Amazon I saw a review that someone used it on their 2009 TL but didn't see a difference and a comment that it's because the low end torque is low in TL. Anyone here feel the same/different about the K & N?

Thanks.

jspagna1

I use K & N filters on all my cars and always have. I actually have K & N CAI's in my 97 4Runner and my 03 Maxima SE. I definitely noticed a difference with the CIA's.
But being that the TL is my wife's car and is my Luxury car, I just opted for the drop in filter. I do think it improves MPG and the fact that it can be cleaned and reused you don't have to worry about checking it as often. Sure I like to think I'm getting a little more hp out of the motor (4 hp maybe?).
Your going to get a lot of people who don't like the K & N filters because of the oil messing with the MAF. The key is when cleaning the filter and re-oiling it, use the oil sparingly. The mistake many people make is that they use too much oil. The new K & N cleaning kits are much better now because the oil now comes in a spray bottle rather than a squeeze bottle witch imo made people put too much oil on the filter.

SeismicGuy

The car will definitely go faster with the K&N filter since your wallet is now a bit lighter

But seriously I have used these in a few of my cars now for the last 15+ years without any problems. Any actual gain in performance is probably negligible but I understand that the K&N filters continue to work well even when dirty compared with stock filters.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

stock paper filter for the winnN!
there will be no performance gains with a drop in K&N filter.
on the 3G TL, the stock paper filter OUTFLOWS the throttle body at WOT! on the 4G TL, Acura has INCREASED the diameter of the throttle body. so, one can assume the same is true for the 4G.
some one test!!


Also, the K&N filters dont filter as well as stock.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ WOW my first thanks to Justn LOL.....

his reply is right on the money !!!

EazyRider562

I installed on about 2.5 months and I must say, its one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've gained probably 10 HP and the sound is second to none.

Definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to fix up their 4th G and not kill your wallet. All my friends ask me when I get in my car, "You must've dropped a load of cash to get this." My comment is, "K&N cold air intake".

Enough said!

alienstudio

10 HP gained from intake?......*facepalm*

LaCostaRacer

Interested people should read the reviews of Paper .vs. K&N at www.bobistheoilguy.com. Here's the link: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/air-fi...ltration-test/

I too used K&N in a couple of my cars 10 years ago and have since stopped. The K&N flows well, but also lets in larger diameter dust particles. K&N might claim 99% of OEM, but is that good enough? That 1% error rate will affect any long-term owner.

Also since air flow is more restricted because of plumbing than filtration, you would need to run a dyno or the dynolicious or equivalent app (possibly) to have some objective evidence. I usually feel my car runs best after a nice wash/wax, but that is pure speculation- much like perceived HP increases with the K&N drop in.

jspagna1

My 97 4Runner is 15 years old and 166,000 miles running the K & N since day one and my 03 Maxima with the K & N with 93,000 miles and no issues. I don't think a 10 hp gain but again it's proven to be a very good alternative to the paper filter. I told you everyone's experience/opinions are going to be different. It's all in everyone's perspective.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ bro have your torn down any of the 2 engines ?

ShadeTreeMech

This is one of those topics where everyone has a different viewpoint and neither side is not necessarily wrong. There is evidence and personal experience to support each type of filter. The main issue with the K&N filter is the potential to add too much oil to the filter. If this concerns you then just stick with a paper type. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if you want a filter that will last the life of the vehicle and maybe gain a couple of hp, you can't go wrong with the K&N. I've had K&N filters in my other cars. I just sold a Tiburon with 191k miles and I still have my Pathfinder with 98k. The majority of these miles where with a K&N filter. I actually just purchased a K&N filter for my TL.

jspagna1

No need to. They run great. No oil consumption or burning oil. Only maintenance done on the 4Runner so far replaced valve cover gaskets,timing belt/water pump, and 2 fuel injectors. Trucks rock solid. Maxima too so far.

jspagna1

^^^ Agreed!

EazyRider562

Guys we aren't talking about a few grand in upgrades, its $250! come on guys, maybe money isn't flowing with the economy and we have some cheaper individuals. $250 well spent imo. But that's just me... :-/

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ and actually not even 250....get an ebay intake ($50), insulate it ($10) and get the AEM dry flow air filter ($50)....you have your intake for $110

EazyRider562

swoosh, so at you least you agree on the intake then? nice!!!

some of these guys don't get it, they think the CAI is ridiculous and a waste of money. i think its genious...

SeismicGuy

What are you talking about--the K&N filter is maybe $60??

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

The K&N filter is like $30. Captain dip$hit always has to weigh in on how great his $250 noisemaker is, even though it's completely unreleated to the OP's quesiton.

I've used the K&N drop-in filter in vehicles for years without issue. My 99 TL Commuter went through 2 transmissions and 3 timing belt/water pump changes in the 230k before I got rid of it, and had the same K&N drop in filter from about 15k onward.

Take the thing out and clean it every 30k. Beats dropping $10 per air filter every oil change.

Power gains - not so much. Nothin you'll notice. It's a nice "I don't have to fool with changing my air filter" item. Nothing more.

Pete2010

Let's keep things civil and tone down on personal attacks.

And - let's keep things on topic - We're talking about an air-filter here - NOT a SRI or CAI.

McB345

I'm looking for a really cheap way to hear the engine of my 2012 TL and don't feel like messing around with buying a full CAI system or building my own (my car is a lease). I had a TSX before and did an intake resonator delete (removed it). I liked the sound but it was a little too much on WOT and humming along the highway as well.

Will just adding the K&N filter give any noticeable sound increase compared to the stock filter in the 2012? I don't want to put money in to the car since it's just a lease.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^because the filter is "looser" too let more air and particles in, it can be a little louder.

But, like you said, to get a throatier sound you need to remove the "silencer" or resonator.

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

The stock airbox is pretty growly as it is, since there's a disconnected cowl feeding it from the front of the car. It's not "huge old resonated airbox in the fender well" like prior gens and other honda products have traditionally been.

I'd suggest taking the air filter out, popping the throttle a few times and see if you like it. If so - the K&N will give you more of what you're looking for.

McB345

I think due to the increased noise insulation compared to the TSX I just can't hear the nice sound of the engine/intake from inside the car. I haven't heard the engine from outside the car while someone else is stomping on the gas. I'll try taking the filter out as suggested and punching on the throttle a few times. I care more about the noise I hear rather than others so hopefully I can hear a little more. Thanks guys.

EazyRider562

Your going to get so much growl out of the K&N SRI. I highly recommend it.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Yes, because there is no more resonator.
So, if you took off the resonator, you can achieve the same sound while bringing in cooler air than the "HOT AIR RAM"

spent $250; but could have achieved the same thing for free.

McB345

Yeah I'm going to stay away from adding a SRI or any other full intake system. If I owned the car I'd go for it but I'm just leasing it. Adding tints next week so I don't feel like dropping much more than that if it's just a lease. I think I'll give the K&N filter a shot though since it's only $50.

EazyRider562

Bro, put on the SRI and remove it when you bring back the lease and I'm sure you can sell it on craigs list for as much as you bought, if not more imo.

Insti Gator

Mr Marco

I'm sure you are on the right track, but:
You gotta find a better source of information than Bob's Blog. Maybe C&D or Popular Mechanics has done a comp that is an actual scientifically testable process. Otherwise you just quoted some dude named Bob.

Teddybear

the k&n def sounded a lil different, it's louder than the stock filter for sure.
didn't notice any gains, throttle response was maybe a little faster (prob just the sound).

The thought behind bob the oil guy is thru oil analysis, basically there was an increase in silicon (iirc) when a k&n was used, hence the conclusion that it's letting in larger particles.

McB345

Maybe I'm misinformed but doesn't the 2012 TL have an OEM cold air intake? Seems counter productive (or at least not PROductive) to add a SRI that breathes better if I'm just sucking in mass amounts of hot air compared to the stock intake which sucks moderate amounts of "cold" air. Hot summer days on Chicago's highway system probably wouldn't be fun with a SRI. I experienced something similar when I took out the intake resonator on my TSX. First 3000 RPMS from standstill was BRUTAL! Felt like my 5hp go-kart I had growing up.

Pete2010

There is no world that exists where you can sell a used car part for more than a brand new one.

Edit: Exceptions for car parts for rare cars that are not made anymore.

EazyRider562

It's a no brainer IMO. SRI for the win!

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

so you guys are not worried about filtration and only growl ???

KNN offers the same surface area as the stock air filter....the only way it can flow better is by offering less restrictions....and the only way it offers less restriction is by making the holes bigger.....hence problems....

am not saying get an intake and you will fail 23.94WHP....but if you are sticking to stock intake then DO NOT USE KNN.....

McB345

It's sad to admit but yes I don't mind the lack of filtration offered by K&N. It seems others have had success over the long run. I have a 3 year / 45k lease, so unless you think the car would quit on me before 45,000lbs or have problems surface from a K&N filter before 45,000 miles I'm down to give it a shot. If the K&N does lack filtration I feel bad for the guy who buys the car after me... I'll warn you all in 3 years to stay away from my dusty car...

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ kinda selfish bro....dontcha think....

also if KNN was giving you more HP or MPG, i would have asked you to not worry about the second owner....but it doesnt give any of those advantages....

McB345

Good point about the HP and MPG... but I'm assuming one, if not both, of these numbers is elevated SLIGHTLY with the K&N filter offering more airflow? I'd prefer the MPG increase over HP, a few percent increase would save me some hard earned money on gas over the next few years. I'm interested to hear from others though if more airflow from a less restrictive filter would in theory give you a 1% (give or take) increase in HP and/or MPG...

Anyway, I doubt a K&N filter being used for 45,000 miles is going to be detrimental to the car. I'm pretty sure I'll be taking better care of my car during the lease than 95% of the others out there.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

there is no correlation between air filters and MPG.

on a carburetor, yes.

EazyRider562

I'm getting way more MPG with this SRI.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

fixed