K&N air filter, is it worth it?

[Retirednavy2010]

AEM makes a dry version, I think it's a little cheaper too, if we're talking replacements for the paper and not the full on cone intake.

So you got me intrigued, according to my research, K&N bought out AEM last year, K&N didn't stop making the AEM'S at all. The K&N filters are made in plants in Texas, China, Neatherlands or England. The AEM is made in the USA. I watched a YouTube video test between the K&N, AEM and stock filter. The K&N allowed more particulate matter through than the AEM and stock filter. In Horse Power the AEM bested the K&N on the dyno also. I had never heard of AEM before but I think from the evidence I witnessed it is a better filter W/O the oil issues. I think I am going with the AEM filter. Thanks everyone for your inputs and education on filters.

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[LawnMM]

So you got me intrigued, according to my research, K&N bought out AEM last year, K&N didn't stop making the AEM'S at all. The K&N filters are made in plants in Texas, China, Neatherlands or England. The AEM is made in the USA. I watched a YouTube video test between the K&N, AEM and stock filter. The K&N allowed more particulate matter through than the AEM and stock filter. In Horse Power the AEM bested the K&N on the dyno also. I had never heard of AEM before but I think from the evidence I witnessed it is a better filter W/O the oil issues. I think I am going with the AEM filter. Thanks everyone for your inputs and education on filters.

 

[Jthomp19]

High flow means more particles enter your engine. There are cool YouTube’s showing how bad they are at “filtering”. If you’re selling it soon why not. If you want it reliable no way.

 

[ctechbob]

On the upside, maybe it will let enough dirt through to blast the backside of the intake valves clean.

 

[got3fords]

I wouldn’t put an oil bath ( K&N) on anything with a turbo. UNLESS you’re going to meticulously and perfectly maintain the K&N filter. My opinion comes from a 15+ year career experience in the turbocharger service industry. Many turbo thrust bearing failures and gunked up compressor wheels and charge air coolers from poorly maintained K&N systems. Our vehicle repair shop made it a policy to not install them. I recommend the AEM dry filter.

This is the reason I opted to go with a dry performance filter. After cleaning, drying and re-oiling the K&N, just a slight tap on the work bench released multiple oil droplets. I just could not risk those getting sucked into the turbo. Valid fear? Maybe, maybe not. But I feel much better knowing there is no loose oil on the filter.

 

[awd.nv]

I use the K&N, I can't tell a difference but it must be doing something if Ford puts it in with their performance tune. I never re-oil them, I just replace them. When I was a Benz tech, I did see a few MAF sensors fail from people oiling them too much.

 

[ctechbob]

There's an interview out there somewhere where they were interviewing one of the guys that developed the K&N. He specifically addressed the fact that you can see through the filter.

His story is that the cotton gauze is designed to 'vibrate' and catch the dirt particles as they go through the filter.

I found it laughable.

The problem, as I see it, for us is. The path our air takes from the filter is LONG. Through the CAC, through some more piping, and into the intake. I have to wonder if you could even measure intake pulses at the filter.

That's assuming you buy in to that theory (I don't).

Found it:

 

[Tim H.]

I've had K&N filters on most of my vehicles and they seem to help to a degree... I was thinking about getting one for my Ranger but was wondering if anyone's bought one and has it increased the mileage at all?

https://www.aemintakes.com/ford/ranger/2.3l-l4-gas/2020/

 

[Friday yet?]

K&N? No. Just no.

To improve the mileage on a truck, you must start the process prior to purchase. You do that by simply buying a more fuel efficient vehicle. Once you've bought a truck, knowing full well the fuel mileage beforehand, at that point your thought process should be simply "Where is the next Top Tier gas station?"

I'm going to start a thread about how to increase the cargo and towing capacity of a Prius. Airbags maybe?

 

[Grumpaw]

K&N? No. Just no.

To improve the mileage on a truck, you must start the process prior to purchase. You do that by simply buying a more fuel efficient vehicle. Once you've bought a truck, knowing full well the fuel mileage beforehand, at that point your thought process should be simply "Where is the next Top Tier gas station?"

I'm going to start a thread about how to increase the cargo and towing capacity of a Prius. Airbags maybe?

Fill all the tires, including spare with helium....will decrease the sprung weight, thus making vehicle lighter....less weight, more mpg.
Heck, you might even need a tether to prevent the vehicle from floating away...
This will allow a greatly increased cargo capacity....
Example...
Your truck weighs 4000 lbs, and has a 1500 lb cargo capacity.
Fill the vehicle with helium till it reaches a point where it is just off ground. Now, you have a 5500 lb cargo capacity !!!

 

[DranC]

I have had the K&N Cold Air Intake in my 2023 for 10k miles now. I have a lot of performance upgrades. It sounds better with it. I get 21.6 mpg City. (the biggest boost upgrade for me was the Banks Pedal-Monster throttle controller)

 

[Goyo86]

Personally would only run a k&n style filter if I didn’t see dirt in my truck.

 

[Jason B]

Fill all the tires, including spare with helium....will decrease the sprung weight, thus making vehicle lighter....less weight, more mpg.
Heck, you might even need a tether to prevent the vehicle from floating away...
This will allow a greatly increased cargo capacity....
Example...
Your truck weighs 4000 lbs, and has a 1500 lb cargo capacity.
Fill the vehicle with helium till it reaches a point where it is just off ground. Now, you have a 5500 lb cargo capacity !!!

Isaac Newton would like a word with you.
And, yeah, U get the joke.

 

[Egg69]

Fill all the tires, including spare with helium....will decrease the sprung weight, thus making vehicle lighter....less weight, more mpg.
Heck, you might even need a tether to prevent the vehicle from floating away...
This will allow a greatly increased cargo capacity....
Example...
Your truck weighs 4000 lbs, and has a 1500 lb cargo capacity.
Fill the vehicle with helium till it reaches a point where it is just off ground. Now, you have a 5500 lb cargo capacity !!!

...and a very high pitched voice. lol

 

[svogt302]

I do not care for oiled filters

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