Air Filter

[Curious Joel]

My friend is practically insisting that I put a K&N Air Filter in my car. He says it improves horsepower and mileage. Should I do it? Are there better air filters out there?

[JCL]

You will get three sets of opinions (waste of time, invaluable, doesn't matter). I am in the waste of time camp personally, but if it feels good.....

In the meantime, read this link. Rather entertaining, I thought....

http://www.lumenique.com/Cars/cargeneral/nomodsp1.htm

[sdogg888]

WASTE OF TIME AND YOUR MONEY,
if only it was that easy!!!

but then again its your time and your money not mine..

[lanbrown]

For your average car where they just pull an air filter form the parts bin, it helps. For more performance-oriented companies, they think of these things and spend the extra effort in researching things like this. On some vehicles, a K&N actually makes less power compared to the OEM filter.

What does it all mean? Base what you buy on third-party dyno results, not the hype the manufacturer says.

[gojira-san]

I don't think it will do that much for you. If you do decide to use one, make sure you don't over oil it, else you can gum up your MAF (I know someone who did this on their truck a year or 2 ago.)

[rocketir]

The best thing about these types of filters are they are reusable. If you don't plan on cleaning it and reoiling it when it gets dirty, but instead wish to just go out and buy a new one. I would say stick with OEM.
IMHO they only help performance when you spin the heck out your motor. Not something I do very often.
Jesse