Honest Opinion Please
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
Going from my stock LS3 air filter assembly to a Callaway with K&N was worth exactly 5rwhp on the dyno for me when I tested it last week. If you believe all the "cold air" advertisements, this will supposidely be worth more as you accelerate. Meh, who knows. I do know my Callaway causes low rpm surging every once in a while. That is annoying. But it also drops the IAT's almost instantly when you start moving. If your IAT is seeing hotter air, the ECU will pull timing. Thereby pissing power away. Getting the air to amibient temp quickest is where you see most power increase(or rather not loosing power due to timing being pulled). I don't think you are actually gaining much with the K&N itself.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Could someone please give me your honest opion or better yet data that shows if you put a K&N filter in place of the stock filter on a 2013 C6 you will see a performance increase even if it ever so slght. I've always heard there was an increase but have never found any dyno data someone actually ran other than factory selling advertisements.
So your choices are clear. More power or more filtration.
Independent testing shows K&N near the bottom of the list for good filtration and the stock Donaldson at the top. The difference in airflow is minimal, with the K&N being greater.
Clean filters allow more dirt through than dirty ones. Clean filters also allow more air through.
A greater total filtration surface area allows a higher airflow and a longer life.
You can do a simple two part test for filtration capabilities. First hold the filter up directly in front of the sun. You should not be able to see even the tiniest speck of light. Second, pour an ounce or two of water onto the filter. It should not immediately drain through the other side. Either or both failures indicate dirt will easily pass through.
The bottom line is, unless you have a real requirement for maximum power, good filtration is the better choice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
You actually don't need our opinions 
. Apply your common sense to this fact: The LS3 uses the same filter as the LS7, which is significantly larger, more powerful, and with a higher redline. Do you think your LS3 needs more air than your stock filter provides? The answer is NO. Plus you'd be sacrificing filtration, which is always a bad choice to make, even if there're a bit more HP at the very top of the rev range. And finally, any filter change, especially those crappy oiled ones, will eventually foul your MAF sensor, PLUS alter how it reads airflow (sometimes leading to lean conditions). Leave it alone man 
. Hey, you asked for our 'honest' opinions 
.
. Apply your common sense to this fact: The LS3 uses the same filter as the LS7, which is significantly larger, more powerful, and with a higher redline. Do you think your LS3 needs more air than your stock filter provides? The answer is NO. Plus you'd be sacrificing filtration, which is always a bad choice to make, even if there're a bit more HP at the very top of the rev range. And finally, any filter change, especially those crappy oiled ones, will eventually foul your MAF sensor, PLUS alter how it reads airflow (sometimes leading to lean conditions). Leave it alone man . Hey, you asked for our 'honest' opinions .
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 6,125
Likes: 739
From: Callaway Cars - Old Lyme, Connecticut
Going from my stock LS3 air filter assembly to a Callaway with K&N was worth exactly 5rwhp on the dyno for me when I tested it last week. If you believe all the "cold air" advertisements, this will supposidely be worth more as you accelerate. Meh, who knows. I do know my Callaway causes low rpm surging every once in a while. That is annoying. But it also drops the IAT's almost instantly when you start moving. If your IAT is seeing hotter air, the ECU will pull timing. Thereby pissing power away. Getting the air to amibient temp quickest is where you see most power increase(or rather not loosing power due to timing being pulled). I don't think you are actually gaining much with the K&N itself.
On some LS3 and LS7 Corvettes, we've seen the same issue w/ low speed surge. To cure, please take a look at this component:
http://shop.callawaycars.com/Diffuse...-203682740.htm
I hope this helps -
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
On some LS3 and LS7 Corvettes, we've seen the same issue w/ low speed surge. To cure, please take a look at this component:
http://shop.callawaycars.com/Diffuse...-203682740.htm
I hope this helps -
http://shop.callawaycars.com/Diffuse...-203682740.htm
I hope this helps -
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 6,125
Likes: 739
From: Callaway Cars - Old Lyme, Connecticut
I shouldn't need to spend another $50 plus shipping for my intake to work right. It should be included in the kit. Other than the slight surging issue, I really like the intake. It drops IAT's almost instantly and when WOT my vacuum gauge reads zero and sometimes flickers to boost.
While we sell very few of these diffuser kits, it does alleviate the surging at low speed as you have described. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
We have only seen the "surging" with a handful of LS3/LS7 cars, so we developed the diffuser. This prevents the electric fan(s) from affecting the signal to the MAF, which can cause the issue you describe.
While we sell very few of these diffuser kits, it does alleviate the surging at low speed as you have described. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
While we sell very few of these diffuser kits, it does alleviate the surging at low speed as you have described. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
There is a huge difference between K&N and say OEM or Fram or WIX...
Without continuous maintenance of the filter eliment,
the K&N will allow truck loads of dirt and debris into your intake and the engine.
The filter oil is great for gumming up MAF sensors as well.
I stopped using K&N in the 90's because it was just too labor intensive trying to maintain a clean engine.
Without continuous maintenance of the filter eliment,
the K&N will allow truck loads of dirt and debris into your intake and the engine.
The filter oil is great for gumming up MAF sensors as well.
I stopped using K&N in the 90's because it was just too labor intensive trying to maintain a clean engine.