K and N Air filters

[Pikemaster101]

If I were to spend the money on a K an N air filter for my 2001 chevy pick-up would it really increase my hourse power and is it worth the money?

[cliffy]

I am no expert but....I put one in my 05 Ford S-screw and I cant tell much of a difference. I am talking just air filter replacement..not the whole intake K&N package...you know what I mean?. It might have given my truck at little more of a throaty sound...but I don’t think it increased the gas milage or HP....at least not enough for me to say it was worth the cost. Just my two cents.

[caseymcq]

Cliffy -

Do you think it is worth it for being able to clean it out instead of replacing it???

I have been considering buying one too.

[DEADhead]

K&N filters really benefit your rig when they are added to a performance exhaust sytem, and/or chip or programmer. Stand alone, I don't think they do much, except for what cliffy mentioned, gives a more throaty sound.

[Norsky]

I put one in my '98 Silverado and really didn't notice much of any difference. It's pretty easy to clean and oil it. I just checked online and a regular air filter costs about $20. My K and N was originally about $70 with the cleaning and oiling kit. This will last the lifetime of the truck, so I guess you'd surely save money in the long run.

[Jeremy airjer W]

It doesn't do any good if you don't clean it!!! You would be amazed how many of these, under the hoods of the vehicles we service, are just caked with dirt and debris!

[federline]

Short answer - not really. A little more air whooshing under the hood, if your ears are good. Otherwise, even the slightest engine foul, like dirty intake or semi-clogged injectors, will rob any theoretical HP gains.

On MPG - If you drive 100+ miles round trip highway everyday in your truck, you will see a slight improvement if all other systems are in top condition. There are much better investments for saving money, including buying an beater speck-car for commuting and everyday driving.

[pikechaser]

I use the amsoil version in my vechiles..did see slight increase in mileage, but not a ton... i got so i could clean it instead of replacing. They are less money than k/n filter

[18 inch Crappie]

I put the cone type in my 2000 silverado. Took the stock air box out and but on a cone type filter I got off ebay the whole kit was $45 shipped to my door. I could tell right away the power went up on take off. It sounds better also.

[lawdog]

I put one in my 2005 Silverado after about 2000 miles were on it. I immediately gained one full MPG on my fuel mileage. I talked to another guy who'd put one in and had the same results.

I've always run K&N on my race cars too, they are GREAT air filters. Yes you need to clean them periodically, but not as often as you might think reading this thread...

[SomethingFishy*]

I had one in my old sports car and now I have one in my truck, very small mileage increase. How often should I be recharging/cleaning this thing?

[federline]

When properly cleaned and oiled*, about every 50,000 miles. As dirt deposits into the oiled weave, the filter actually becomes more effective, for a while.

* clean with mild soap and water, let dry completely, lightly and evenly re-oil. I use the K&N re-charge kit with the red-dye spray oil. Watch out in today's cars, too much oil and the excess will get sucked onto the mass airflow sensor (MAF sensor) and totally destroy the computerized air/fuel mixture, leading to hesitation, poor MPG, and even detonation and backfiring.**

** If you cake-up your MAF with the oil, you can CAREFULLY remove the MAF (very expensive part, don't drop!) and clean the delicate wires with pressurized brake cleaner fluid. If you do this, make sure the MAF is COMPLETELY and UTTERLY dry before hooking back up and running it, or you'll be out hundreds of dollars when the little wire twangs...