K&N Air Filter vs Stock any REAL gains?

[Corvette-Pilot]

I need a new airfilter before she is pulled out of hybernation.
After looking up the stock replacement K&N it is about $80.
NAPA has the stock filter for $19.

Can anyone tell me they have seen any TRUE gains to justify this price difference ??

What about the K&N filter with the open cover deal?

Wonder if I should make this a poll ?

 

[rrubel]

Seat of the pants tells me that my K&N works at least a little. We have it in all three cars and in two of them a mild hesitation off the line is gone. The Vette *felt* stronger, but could also have been that it just needed a new air filter...

BTW - you can do MUCH better than $80 for a K&N; I think I got mine for $45 from TPIS or one of the other online places and I've seen them for even less sometimes from Pep Boys.
[RICHR]

 

[vettedoc]

I just put one on with an open face plate. In theory it should give a 5-10 hp boost. I also put on a flow thru exhaust as well so now she can breathe in and out easier. I paid about $105 for the two items (open face plate and filter). Check Mid America Ecklers etc.

 

[Bill Wilson]

I have a 94 LT1 with an Open Air Filter Box and K&N filter. I dropped a full 1.5 seconds in my 1/4 mile times after installing the Open Air Box and filter.

 

[Chetzki]

I've seen them for even less sometimes from Pep Boys.

AutoZone advertizes K&N Filter on the front of their store window. If I got one there for my '96, is it the same as getting it from Eckler's or Pep Boys, or do they have a cheaper model in stock?

chetzki

 

[vms4evr]

There is only 1 K&N filter. I bought one from Autozone for my wifes car. It is the real thing. Cost me $36 for her car.

I opted on the K&N and open lid and went with the SLP breather that has 3 K&N cones. That definetely makes an improvement. I beleive that with the K&N and open lid that 4-5hp might be a reasonable expectation. Can you feel it SOTP? Not sure. But you'll hear the engine a lot more because it is actually breathing easier. God only knows how that factory setup with paper filter gets air in there...

Graham

 

[Yellow96]

I have the 3 K&N flow system--I can feel the change--works for me. John

 

[Im1ru2]

K & N

I got a used air box on e-bay for 20 bucks cut it open with a dremel- Ya gotta get one if you don't already; they are so handy!
painted it silver to match my car , got a k&n from autozone for 52 bucks and installed it.
I haven't taken it to the track yet, but the difference was very noticable- I was happy with the mod!

 

[RubyDropTop]

Well, I can't really lay claim to any major increase in horsepower with a K&N air filter, but I do have one in the Vette.

Not wanting to cut the stock air filter housing, I purchased an "open lid" from one of the aftermarket vendors. Basically, it's just a frame for the filter.

I can most definitely hear a difference in the air intake of the motor. It may sound strange, but if you rev the motor you can actually hear a sucking/pulling type of noise. It's sort of neat, I guess. I can't help but think that the motor is able to breathe a bit easier now.

 

[Top]

Wait, you said "REPLACEMENT" K&N. Your not replacing a K&N are you? Those suckas last a million miles. If you have a K&N you need to get a kit to clean and reoil it. They are about 15.00 at auto stores.

Good Luck

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

I have used the K&N in several cars/trucks. Some of them I could feel. I don't expect much performance doing this but I need a new filter regaurdless.

I hoped to find an online site that has either the K&N or the Holley Powershot for $40 or so. OEM type is just under 20 bucks so it isn't a big deal. If it helps great if not then I never have to buy another filter. Hopefully they truely filter better as well (heard the aren't so good in dust??)

 

[sumoboy]

K&N does breathe alot better than paper filters, try to wash a paper filter and re-use it

It pays for itself just by being re-usable.
With the price of gas, cut your spending but not the quality.
:duh

 

[Edmond]

I remember checking out this little device they had at a auto parts store. It was some kind of fan attached to a tube that had a ping pong ball in the tube. You could switch between the paper filter and the K&N. When the paper was being used, the ball went about halfway up but when you put the K&N in, the ball went all the way up.

 

[funz51]

K&N worth it

You say that the stock is $19, and K&N about $40-50. You can reuse the K&N 3-4 times with some cleaner and oil (about $6 a change), so I think I have gotten a deal and great throttle response. I have been using them since 1990. on my third one, I have 206,000 miles on my '88!

 

[RedRagTop]

I would say my 88 with the K&N does breath better, especially if in tandem with a free-flow exaust. Just don't over-oil it or may affect MAF sensor, give you a Service Engine Soon light...RJS

 

[Willis76]

Received very similar responses when I raised this on the C3 forum. I just placed an order at 4filters.com, seemed like a fair price for what I wanted and the shipping was a flat $5.

 

[Bonnell]

What is a free flow exhast?

 

[funz51]

Free flow exhaust is aftermarket exhaust systems that are a bit louder, and let the engine breathe easier. More air in, more air out, more horses. Not a whole bunch, but enough to feel (I found 20 hp at rear wheels, but that includes a chip also.)

 

[RubyDropTop]

I have a free flow exhaust on my car. It is a chambered system - no resonator and no mufflers. Sound is aggressive and the exhaust is not nearly as restrictive as the factory system I love it.

 

[Sibexpress]

K&N all the way. After the first one I, I ended up putting them in all my cars.