? Do Air Filters Really?

Wingaman · February 6, 2005

I'm not a real Techie kind of guy and I am very skeptical about some high performance parts claim that their $55 reusable airfilter can increase the Horsepower over the $7 replaceables. I am coming up on replacing two and wonder if anyone else has found the High performance ones to be noticeably better.

Thanx in advance for responses.

lrymal · February 6, 2005

In itself, no. As a contributing piece to many parts that make up the performance whole, yes. Just my opinion though.

I'd rather do modifications to the driveability (tires, sway bars, shocks) and save the big bucks for a PCM modification via a tuner or PCM replacement which is where you'll see major improvements. Again---my opinion.

Elwood · February 7, 2005

I noticed a difference when I changed to a K&N. It wasn't a huge difference, but I noticed a little bit of one.

saubouin · February 7, 2005

On my 98 Trans AM I did back to back dyno's with a K&N and saw a net gain of 5 rwhp. This is usually one of the first mods people do.

496 CUBIC INCHES · February 8, 2005

K&N filters don't filter worth d**n. I put one on my 98' Z-71 and had a Used Oil Analysis done on the next oil change. They analysis found a ton of silicon (dirt) in the oil. The company that did the UOA asked if I was running a K&N. They see the poor filtering of the K&Ns on a daily basis. IMO 3-4 HP isn't worth the risk of letting all the extra dirt into the engine.

I don't know how many HP I gained with the K&N. I did notice a slight increase in throttle response. I wasn't looking for performance gains. I was getting tired of replacing $20 filters. I liked the idea of a re-usable filter.

facn8me · February 8, 2005

1/3 of the people like them a 1/3 hate them and 1/3 don't really care. I own 3 and wouldn't change'em. Even the people who hate them seem to still own them.

It's all personal preference. Most problems are from too much oil on the filter getting on the maf sensor. Or not installed properly allowing dust in.

Chronic · February 12, 2005

You will see some difference by adding one. You'll see more of a difference if you add one as well as change your exhaust! There's tons of things you can do. For the money, I would do it.

silver-rado · May 23, 2005

A full intake is one of the cheapest upgrades that work. I would say the drop-ins are the waste of money. You get next to NO added performance from the drop-ins. There is a reason why they don't supply you with a dyno chart on the drop-ins- they don't bother with it.

The biggest problem is you HAVE to get some other parts like an exhaust and chip, to actually gain enough power to really feel.

IMO:

Intake - Outlaw CAI (they took it to the next level in intake design)

Exhaust- Magnaflow(or any other one)

Computer Uprgade- Wester's (hands down the best, have them custom it to what you have on your truck)

Good luck!