K&N Air Intake System
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
This subject has been flogged pretty hard here and in the C5 Tech forum...
Bottom line is that K&N filters reduce restriction, but don't filter that well. If you plan on keeping the car for a long time, you don't want to go there. Paper filters work better, are cheap, and if you change them regularly you don't loose much in the way of performance compared to a K&N.
Do a search on the subject and look at the test results. You will be convinced that it isn't worth the trouble.
A cold air inlet is a good idea, but really the performance gains are pretty small. Not that it isn't worth doing, just don't expect a half a second in the quarter mile.... Lots of folks equate more noise with more power, they say they can "feel" it... More likely they can hear it and think they are going faster.
Bottom line is that K&N filters reduce restriction, but don't filter that well. If you plan on keeping the car for a long time, you don't want to go there. Paper filters work better, are cheap, and if you change them regularly you don't loose much in the way of performance compared to a K&N.
Do a search on the subject and look at the test results. You will be convinced that it isn't worth the trouble.
A cold air inlet is a good idea, but really the performance gains are pretty small. Not that it isn't worth doing, just don't expect a half a second in the quarter mile.... Lots of folks equate more noise with more power, they say they can "feel" it... More likely they can hear it and think they are going faster.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
No track for me, I am a show guy. So I am not really worried about power gain...but since it looks like I will have to modify the engince compartment, might as well go with a vararam.
Thanks for the info guys.
Thanks for the info guys.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: New York
I have the K&N intake on my '04 LS1 and I am happy with it. I cut the lower fan shroud to allow for more cool air into the filter. It was pretty easy and a nice 2 hour project. The finish is very nice looking and clean. As for performance, I think most of them perform pretty much the same, especially at lower speeds. It's just my opinion based on what I have read and observed. I don't put alot of mileage on the car so the filter becoming too dirty quickly really is'nt an issue. Good Luck!
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Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 42
I've had my K&N FIPK installed on my 2001 Coupe for about 18 months now. I did NOT cut the plastic to get the 'cold air' feature, I just couldn't make myself cut my baby, it was too new (to me). I think it keeps the under hood cleaner that way too. Can't really tell any performance improvements by the 'seat-o-the-pants' method. K&N claims a few HP.
I don't believe all the 'paper filters filter better' talk. I've been using K&N on my dirt bikes for years and years with NO problems. I don't think there's nearly as much dirt getting in the vette which never goes off road as there was on any of my old dirt bikes. I'll let ya know how that goes in another 100K miles or so, check back with me in about 10 years or so. Even though mine's a daily driver I still don't put but around 7 to 10K miles per year on it. My commute is 4 miles to work each way.
Save the wave.... Doc
I don't believe all the 'paper filters filter better' talk. I've been using K&N on my dirt bikes for years and years with NO problems. I don't think there's nearly as much dirt getting in the vette which never goes off road as there was on any of my old dirt bikes. I'll let ya know how that goes in another 100K miles or so, check back with me in about 10 years or so. Even though mine's a daily driver I still don't put but around 7 to 10K miles per year on it. My commute is 4 miles to work each way.
Save the wave.... Doc
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I went with the blackwing from SLP, no modification required and claims of 18hp increase.
If you decide K&N is the way forward check this out on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/C5-CO...26255256QQrdZ1
If you decide K&N is the way forward check this out on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/C5-CO...26255256QQrdZ1
Last edited by b777_uk_2000; Jun 21, 2007 at 11:04 PM.
