Did a quick search, didn't find anything. Just wondering if there is any benefit from the K&N drop-in filter, or should i just save my money. Not interested in the short ram or cold air intake at this point, because i remember reading a thread about how it negatively affected the gear changing in his auto. Any opinions / input would be appreciated.

 

They are not that much money for this application, my previous cars were typically in the $80 range!

Pros:

-They have higher flow than a standard air filter.
-Practically never need to replace because you can clean & re-oil them.

Cons:

-Possible problems with MAF sensors and the filter oil.
-Claimed increases in oil contamination.

Some of the problems come from people over-oiling the filter after cleaning it. Search the web for the downsides and see if you are comfortable with the possible claims.

 

i've been running one for 80k miles and have been happy.. only had to clean it twice so far, but it's paid for itself..

 

I have K&N air filters in both my GD and GE Fits. Each has around 30k miles on them. I changed to K&N after only first 1K in mileage from new. I haven't noticed any problems, yet, concerning any contamination of its oil with my MAF and MAP, but there are many who say it will.

I never experienced any increased oil consumption on either car. Never had to add oil between changes and usually change oil around 10k.

Another PRO from my experience: the mice will not chew through the metal screening of the K&N. My stock filter was eaten through by mice the first 1k miles in my GD. I don't need mice getting sucked into my engine.

 

Mainly got mine just so I didn't have to change the filter, the stock paper filters are expensive from the dealer and not that much cheaper online. I think I only paid like $40 for my K&N, so why not.

I haven't noticed anything negative yet.

 

I have seen the K&N filter for the Fit at $31, so it's almost a no-brainer, now.

 

Put one in my 07 a month ago...my paper filter was fairly dirty so I do notice a little more response, but don't expect too much. No problems to report--I paid $34 shipped to my door on Amazon.

 

Save your money.
K&N filters have lower pressure drops than well used standard filters but that doesn't mean much except at high rpm and many miles on thefilter.
The probability of fouling your MAF is high enough that any filter depending on oiled media is not advisable.
As far as any of the so-called high performance air intake systems we have not observed much hp gain unless the standard filter was dirty from long use. Still its good for race purposes but only if you use them once avoiding the re-oiling problem. We blotted those filters initially to mimiize the oil content..
Neither filters or intakes will affect gear-changing unless you put a really badintake on that chokes auir flow to the point that the engine can't get benough air to rev to the rpm change point.
the rpm to change up or down depends on the engine hp and torque curves.

 

People have fouled MAF and MAP sensors without K&N filters, also, and I have never seen any verifiable statistics on this problem caused by the K&N filter. If a lower pressure drop in performance inlets work to increase hp, so will the K&N.... how much?... it may be negligible. As far as cost goes, the K&N is cheaper for me because it will outlast many more standard OEM filters. Whether you buy a K&N filter, I think, is an up-in-the-air decision.

 

Forgot one benefit: K&N will keep flowing well as it gets dirty.

Up to the point that it's too clogged, of course.

 

Interesting! I've had k&n filters in my previous cars and I've never had any problems.

 

I decided to get one, but because of the potential MAF sensor issue with the cleaning oil, i don't know if i'll risk cleaning it myself. I'll either buy another one new, or just put the OEM filter back in once the kms are up on it.

 

gd3 dosent have a MAF sensor so no problem