if you really need the improved air flow
this points to another factor: what we want the car to do. Are we looking for high performance transportation that will endure with minimal problems, or a damn-the-dirt, I want an every (perhaps, if the engine REALLY can use the air) ounce of performance, machine.
When I initially spoke to my engine builder, I scratched my head at his questions, "What do you want the car to do?"; "What will you use it for?". After some guiding from him, I made decisions and am very pleased with the result and the cost.
Like the technical article states very late, in reference to the off-road racers, all choices are a compromise of some sort. I always knew that, but it struck home real hard when I took my hot street Vette to an open-road track day at Buttonwillow, run by a small group of car nuts, called Speed Ventures.
I quickly discovered that, a) my car was an awesome STREET machine and quite reliable, and b) some of my 'street' compromise choices had no place on the track; being different goals, demanding different choices.
Example: 'Track brakes' work best on the track, but not on the street, and vice versa. The track parts work best when hot, under hard, repeat braking, but on the street, when relatively cool, they don't stop so well, while costing a LOT more.
Run this scene with every part you are planning to buy and your result will be optimized for your driving and wallet. I made some mistakes, many openly mentioned on CAC, often as a minority opinion to those who subscribe to the marketing claims. Hey, it's your cash, not mine. Luckily, I had some guidance from a longtime Corvette owner, enthusiast, Corvette mechanic and shop owner who was direct and honest about what worked and what was a waste of money. While often I ached for more stickers for my toolbox, I followed his advice and am pleased.
My Vette has a K&N, for now, because the intake structure does not allow a paper filter, but a cone.
