K&N Air filter......
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
K&N Air filter......
I have one coming tomorrow hopefully. But in advance of its arrival I went ahead and cut out the louvers in the lid. My question is.......Was I supposed to remove the rain shield? I did remove it. Shouldn't be a lot of trouble to reinstall if need be. I try not to drive in the rain but sometimes it happens. Should I reinstall the shield or does it even matter? Now I know the big debate over these these filters. Performance wise not much help. But on Vader's site he said if you don't think it is not a better filter just check it after 10K miles and see what it trapped. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
It's there for a reason. Cutting out the louvers was a good step to increase the airflow. The HP increase of the K&N comes into play when you have done other mods. If the installation of the K&N is your only mod so far, you will not see any difference whatsoever. But that's okay. You gotta start somewhere, right? Do the little things and then work up to the bigger ones. Just don't throw in an airfoil. You'd be better off writing me a check.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
It's there for a reason. Cutting out the louvers was a good step to increase the airflow. The HP increase of the K&N comes into play when you have done other mods. If the installation of the K&N is your only mod so far, you will not see any difference whatsoever. But that's okay. You gotta start somewhere, right? Do the little things and then work up to the bigger ones. Just don't throw in an airfoil. You'd be better off writing me a check.I guess my logic behind this was.......the replacement filter frame that K&N sells along with this filter appears to have have no louvers. So I improvised to save a buck. Also, it was time for a new filter so I figued I'd make it a one time thing with the K&N. Don't worry....NO airfoil. Edelbrock makes a 52mm TB that has one built in. Any thoughts on that? I'm not planning any major engine work here. Just trying to maximise what I have already. Thanks 85
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
The only reason I went with a K&N is so I don't have to buy air filters every so often. Like 85 500 horse said, you want see any gains until more modifications are done to pull more air into the engine. I wouldn't worry with a 52mm tb, the stock one flows more than enough air on the stock TPI. Spend that couple hundred dollars on roller rockers or exhaust...all depending on what is already done to the engine.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
From: Merritt Island Florida
OK, I'm an idiot...I don't understand what you mean here. 
Can someone post a picture of what the end result looks like when you say "cutting out the louvers." I have a K&N filter. I just replaced my paper filter with the K&N and did nothing else. Put all the plastic back together and that was it. What else would have been better to do?
Billy
Can someone post a picture of what the end result looks like when you say "cutting out the louvers." I have a K&N filter. I just replaced my paper filter with the K&N and did nothing else. Put all the plastic back together and that was it. What else would have been better to do?
Billy
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
OK, I'm an idiot...I don't understand what you mean here.
Can someone post a picture of what the end result looks like when you say "cutting out the louvers." I have a K&N filter. I just replaced my paper filter with the K&N and did nothing else. Put all the plastic back together and that was it. What else would have been better to do?
Billy
Can someone post a picture of what the end result looks like when you say "cutting out the louvers." I have a K&N filter. I just replaced my paper filter with the K&N and did nothing else. Put all the plastic back together and that was it. What else would have been better to do?
Billy
Mid America has pictures of the filter and frame from K&N. You'll notice in them that the whole face of the filter is exposed.
Last edited by Weav's Vet; Jan 25, 2008 at 05:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
I guess my logic behind this was.......the replacement filter frame that K&N sells along with this filter appears to have have no louvers. So I improvised to save a buck. Also, it was time for a new filter so I figued I'd make it a one time thing with the K&N. Don't worry....NO airfoil. Edelbrock makes a 52mm TB that has one built in. Any thoughts on that? I'm not planning any major engine work here. Just trying to maximise what I have already. Thanks 85
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
The only reason I went with a K&N is so I don't have to buy air filters every so often. Like 85 500 horse said, you want see any gains until more modifications are done to pull more air into the engine. I wouldn't worry with a 52mm tb, the stock one flows more than enough air on the stock TPI. Spend that couple hundred dollars on roller rockers or exhaust...all depending on what is already done to the engine.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Ok, any suggestions? I know about the exhaust, high flow cats etc. Didn't think RR's accomplished a lot without a cam to go along with them. If i'm reading you guys correctly then........none of this bolt on stuff is worth a dime, right? Keep in mind as I mentioned before, not looking for some big increase in HP here. I understand what that involves and I won't be going there. I just want to maximise what is there already. It's already had a good tune up. Will having the ECM tuned by say, PCMFORLESS do any good?
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
where should my money go
not meant to be the final answer but i did find this an interestin read and very relevant
http://www.corvettephotographs.com/c...erformance.htm
http://www.corvettephotographs.com/c...erformance.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Ok, any suggestions? I know about the exhaust, high flow cats etc. Didn't think RR's accomplished a lot without a cam to go along with them. If i'm reading you guys correctly then........none of this bolt on stuff is worth a dime, right? Keep in mind as I mentioned before, not looking for some big increase in HP here. I understand what that involves and I won't be going there. I just want to maximise what is there already. It's already had a good tune up. Will having the ECM tuned by say, PCMFORLESS do any good?
LT headers, true duals, high flow cats will help.
Last edited by BADDUCK; Jan 25, 2008 at 05:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Do yourself a favor and check your intake of the throttle body before you install the K&N. Then after a few thousand miles, check the intake again. You might be disappointed in what you see. There is a saying in the Corvette world that says,"Race with a K&N, but use the paper for daily driving"
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: So. Orange Co. Ca.
Do yourself a favor and check your intake of the throttle body before you install the K&N. Then after a few thousand miles, check the intake again. You might be disappointed in what you see. There is a saying in the Corvette world that says,"Race with a K&N, but use the paper for daily driving"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
As far as a custom tune tune goes, you want gain much if any hp from it. It is a good thing, IMO, to have a custom tune so you can changed a few things. Fan on/off times, optimal timing, remove speed limiter, remove skip shift, remove VATS, remove EGR and AIR, changes in altitude A/F, ect. You might squeeze a little more out of a custom tune if you datalogged the PCM, but everything needs to be mechanically up to par.
For some reason I though this was a L98 car when I made my earlier post. :o
For some reason I though this was a L98 car when I made my earlier post. :o
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Do yourself a favor and check your intake of the throttle body before you install the K&N. Then after a few thousand miles, check the intake again. You might be disappointed in what you see. There is a saying in the Corvette world that says,"Race with a K&N, but use the paper for daily driving"
Almost seems like this should be the other way around in reguards to dust. The Road coarses I've seen in videos have more dust than I'll ever see on the highway. Perhaps you meant the 1/4 mile. And the K&N's have to be oiled or they are not very effective at all.
Anyway, thanks for all the opinions guys. Sounds like maybe I should just drive it and enjoy what I have and save the $$$ for another project. Also, maybe quit reading so much!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Hold a paper filter up to sunlight and then hold a K&N up to sunlight. You can see more though the K&N. I would think that smaller particles could get through the K&N that wouldn't the paper. Another thing about the K&N is not to apply too much oil on it. If too much, it can get on the MAF and into the throttle body/intake manifold. I always let mine sit longer than recommended after oiling.
