Cold Air Intake System

[WJC]

I have a dodge Durango and looking to put a K&N intake system on. It states this will give you about 17 additional hp and increase torque, also give an additional 2mpg which I could use when towing ! Has anyone used this system ? Any pros or cons thanks!

[donn]

Without the rest of the parts it IMHO will be totally useless. Think of your motor as nothing more than a large air pump. In and out have to be matched or else you will gain nothing. Besides that I would never put a K&N filter on anything. There have been a lot of tests done and the bottom line is, the stock air filter flows better than any of the aftermarket stuff. And, if you are planning to use the washable K&N stuff plan on cleaning your MAF about 4 times a year.

[LadyWindrider]

You can believe the claims if you like, but you won't get 2 mpg better, especially when towing. I have very detailed records on a 2001 F150 Ford with a 5.4L, and a K&N filter got me about 1/2 mile to the gallon, on the road. Nothing in town. Acceleration was improved, and you have know how to clean and re-oil your filter so you don't contaminate the maf sensor as stated in post #2.

I also added added a "cat back" duel exhaust, matched the throttle body to the intake, and a few other tweaks. The K&N, made the only change in mileage. This was running the same 150 mile trip, (75 mile trip one way), every Wednesday, same time of day and traffic, for over 2 years. 50 miles of highway, and 25 miles of mountain road, going from 700 feet above sea level to over 3000 feet above sea level.

[Danimal]

i just put one on my hemi and all it does is make it super load when you hit the gas
and looks cool, I would save the money for a camping trip

[Dave_Monica]

There's no product out there that can give you more horsepower and at the same time, better fuel mileage. You don't make more horsepower with more air...you need more fuel too.

Dave

[LadyWindrider]

Dave is right!!!!!!

[caper]

I talked to my mechanic about up grading my F150. His response was to keep my money and use it to purchase a F250. A half ton is a half ton no matter what you add to increase hp and towing.

[Filthy Beast]

Originally Posted by donn

And, if you are planning to use the washable K&N stuff plan on cleaning your MAF about 4 times a year.

I used to use K&N filters on several gassers and knew a number of people that also used them and have never had to clean my MAF sensor. I would think that would indicate over oiling. Now, I am not endorsing the use of any of these type products, just saying.

[Len & Cheri]

Originally Posted by Filthy Beast

I used to use K&N filters on several gassers and knew a number of people that also used them and have never had to clean my MAF sensor. I would think that would indicate over oiling. Now, I am not endorsing the use of any of these type products, just saying.

X2 That is a sign over oiling. I had a K&N on my 2000 F150 for 80000 miles and not once did I ever have to clean my MAF.

Only mod that ever gave me more MPG was a Catback exhaust and it only gave me 1 MPG on the highway. It sounded a lot nicer though.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by Filthy Beast

..... I would think that would indicate over oiling.

Correct, plus improper cleaning. People that use compressed air to clean or dry the filter element are increasing their chances of having mass airflow problems as this method loosens the filter fibers which are then drawn into the mass air flow sensor.

[WJC]

Thanks for all the replies, I wasn't really looking to upgrade but came across an article about cold air intakes and what they could do! I guess I'll save my money and plan for another job!

[fast murray]

With all the pressure to up the fuel economy in vehicles wouldn't the automakers put them in at the factory if these filters did what they say?

[M109Rrider]

I buy thier drop ins for every vehicle I own. Not because of the inflated HP claims but because of them being reusable. There maybe some HP that can be freed but probably nothing you can feel with your butt dyno. As far as the mpg-hp debate you can raise both, sometimes significantly by increasing how efficient the engine moves air in and out. CARB compliance is pretty strict which prevents the OEM from using products available in the aftermarket. In the deisel world the gains in hp-tq-mpgs can be huge with tuning. I gained 2 mpgs (hand calculated) with a 50hp-150lbft chip which is very noticeable on the butt dyno

[Stevea1956]

I had the air filter replaced during my last oil change and I swear my mileage dropped by 2 mpg.
I figured the shop used a bargain basement air filter that was too restrictive and therefore left the hemi starving for air. To test my theory I pulled the air cleaner out and left the air box open while traveling between campgrounds, about 200 miles. My results.... no change in mileage. I was bummed.
I was thinking about going with the K&N or similar product but I don't see the point now.

[RubenZ]

If you google Cold Air Intake TEST you will find that the stock Filter on MOST vehicles is the best. At least thats what the test showed for most GM trucks.

[hoffkm]

I have done four seperate mods to my TV for a little added HP and torque. Each one was done one at a time (except the last two), results are as follows:

1) Amsoil performance air filter (dry re-usable, not oiled like K&N, these are my preference for a re-usable filter)
result-no change in butt dyno HP or mileage
2) Airaid modular intake tube
result-no change in butt dyno HP or mileage
3) Predator Tuner
4) Flowmaster Big Block 70 exhaust
result- .2 MPG increase on average over daily driving and a big difference in the butt dyno HP and torque when towing the trailer although this is at a cost of .5 MPG average when towing (may be because I now run a little faster on average)

Summary: As stated before just changing you air filter alone will probably not have much effect on the performance of your powerplant, you must alter the air intake as well as the outake (exhaust) and more than likely will need a tune as well.

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by Stevea1956

To test my theory I pulled the air cleaner out and left the air box open while traveling between campgrounds, about 200 miles. My results.... no change in mileage.

That's pretty risky to the engine, about like sticking your hand in a behive without any protection for 2 hours, hoping you won't get stung.

[Danimal]

i am selling my K & N cold air intake filter
it fits 2003 thru 2008 dodge ram 1500, 2500, 3500, with the 5.7l Hemi
the wife says its to load ( like a race car ) i paid $265. 1st. of november i drove it apx. 400 mile in dry weather so its like new, i have it posted here for $200.00

dan

[saskrick]

I put one on a 97 f150. No noticeable power or mileage increase. It does rev about 400 rpm higher before shifting though. I changed mine because the stock filter setup was a pain to take out and clean. One draw back now is that there is much less vacuum for the vents. So when I have the vents on and I press the gas, it defaults to defrost. Not great when its smoking hot outside.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by saskrick

I put one on a 97 f150. No noticeable power or mileage increase. It does rev about 400 rpm higher before shifting though. I changed mine because the stock filter setup was a pain to take out and clean. One draw back now is that there is much less vacuum for the vents. So when I have the vents on and I press the gas, it defaults to defrost. Not great when its smoking hot outside.

If it's going to defrost at wide open throttle, you have a vacuum leak or the vacuum check valve is bad.