Is there a Mileage increase using K&N Cold Air Intake

I was looking at K&N PERFORMANCE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM they talk about increased mileage and horsepower.

Has anyone tried it? what were the results?

thanks,
Lenny

 

Many have tried, negligible gains if any.

Google SABM, it may have marginal gains.

Nothing out there except Super Charger that will improve mileage.

 

I don’t think they do. My theory is, and it may be wrong, that is if you are driving easy, you are already using a minimal amount of air that the stock setup can easily provide. If you are getting on it and pulling air beyond the capacity of the stock intake, you are getting more air and more air needs more gas to maintain air/fuel ratio. Even if you are getting colder and denser air, the engine will always try to maintain the proper air/fuel ratio. There are probably a million other variables that come into play, but that’s the mindset I have in regards to MPG. I think they are designed with other attributes in mind.

 

They do not. The best option is to do the SABM and drop in a K&N or AFE Pro S dry filter. The stock intake is a CAI so dont give in to the aftermarket cold air kits.

 

Exactly. The stock air box would have to be severely restricted to make any difference here. With the MPG and HP wars taking place, no OEM has ignored the intake for a long time. So “more air” just gets more fuel to maintain the ratio and you see zero gains. If you truly are seeing real-world results (and I seriously doubt anyone that claims them), you’re probably not filtering the air good enough.

 

I had one on a 5.3l gm v8. The only increase I found was the increased noise level. It made a roaring sound when the engine was under an increased load (annoying).

 

At one time there was a class action suit against K&N for false claims. Never heard how it was settled and don't care because I would never fall for their marketing BS.

 

K&N just save your money and buy a oil free drop in washable filter thought the samething it was a waste of money.

 

Custom your own like I've did, or get the trd intake because the mount you spend on a k&n with just a hair more you can get the trd. It depends on how you like your intake to sound yes they all sound the same but you may understand later.

 

You only get one .
Horsepower OR Mileage .
Never both together.

 

So is it worth it to go all out and get the TRD intake or is dropping a K&N filter in the stock air box going to give you the same results? Thanks

 

Just make sure your air filter is clean and keep your foot out of it. Also basic maintenance up to par.

 

K&N us a good way to hone your cylinders. Never use them if you want your engine to last a long time. There is a reason they flow well given the surface area, they let a bunch of crap through them.

Paper or oiled foam is the only way to go.

 

Been using K&N's since the early 70's on all my rides and never had any issues. Ever....

 

Drive in a silty environment and check your intake. Never ever ever again.

 

I have. Lots. Never had any issues. Any issues are usually due to improper oiling or a bad seal.

 

Toyota TRD intake use K&N filter too.

 

Internet hysteria. I’ve used a K&N in my Tundra for 155,000 miles. Oil analysis’s are spotless.

I’ve used them in dirt bikes, quad’s and my turbo SXS.

Basic maintenance(dont over or under oil) and they hold up fine.

 

I use the OEM Toyota branded air box and filter in both my Tundra trucks, they work.

If Toyota could have squeezed out more MPG without sacrificing durability & reliability, they would have used something else.

 

I use K&N filter. The gains are small. But it allows the engine to take in more and cleaner air. The throttle respond is a lil bit better also. As far as horse power and torque , maybe 1hp and 1.5 ft/lbs torque. Mostly it just saved from having to buy a new filter every few months due to cleaning and re using it.

 

Every few months? Where do you drive and how much?

 

Work on the pipeline. Off road as much as on hwy. Lots of dust and such. West Texas is very bad on air filters.

 

Will it really depends on where you're at, your location. If you live in the climate of cold weather most of the time than a drop in filter will be best. For me I'm in California and I'm in the Central Valley where it's hot and nearly get cold or rain, so most of the time it's warm air. I run a custom homemade intake, Works the same as a aftermarket intake. However once I move by the coast I'll switch back to my factory intake and use a k&n or a trd filter, this way I don't worry to much about moist air.

 

I've always used K&N drop-in filters on my vehicles. No issues and no complaints. On my Toyota's, I splurge and get TRD drop-ins. I did put an AirForce One CAI on my F150. Loved it but having an exposed air filter in your engine bay is not a good idea, I feel. If I had money to burn, I'd get the TRD CAI just for looks. The stock air intake is really well designed so other than a drop-in filter, keep your money.

 

Personal experience in Baja. Never again. Good luck though.

 

So what would your recommendation be for desert environment with decent amount of dust and wind (El Paso TX)? Would it be worth while to do more than a drop in filter (K&N or TRD). Also background information eventually a CAT-Back or full exhaust is going to be added. Thanks again

 

Would a snorkel and maybe a high micron pre-filter help in those conditions?

 

I went to Baja for one day and ended up with dirty nails for a month!

Beautiful but dusty!

Cleaning and oiling a filter don’t sound like fun. Just use a paper filter guys and save your nails.

 

I think I’ve read that S&B filters and intakes filter the best.

 

Maybe would have helped. I just sit the bullet and cleared it every couple weeks. Was cheaper just to buy a couple of cleaning kits.