K&N Air Filter vs MPG...is this a fluke?

[rekop]

So far so good with my K&N filter,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[brittsnbirds]

Radio-

Yesterday I ordered the K&N "FIPK" (Fuel injection performance kit) and a Superchip 2865 to flash the program on my '03 Chevy, 5.3. I pull a '09 Wildwood 27 footer and get around 8 in 3rd. The Chevy will not pull it in OD (unless it's a downhill pull). Plus the tranny run's too hot from the shifting. My goal is to get it up to 10mpg and ultimately pull in OD. So we will see. Hopefully it will be here this weekend.

My nephew is pretty knowledgeable about this stuff and recommended this setup. Will let you know the results.

Pat

[kz08h5]

I just happened on to this post so I thought I would add a little to it. I used to be a project manager for an auto parts company that made the electronic controls used on engines and transmissions. One of the key items these controllers do is keep a constant air to fuel ratio. That is called the stoichiometric mixture. They do this for various reasons but is usually the optimum air to fuel ratio for general performance. With today's engines and controls changing to a high flow filter should not make a difference. There is a feedback loop created with the oxygen sensor so that the controller keeps the air to fuel ratio at a constant 14.7 to 1. Most of the controllers have a learning mode that helps them to preform this operation. This is why, in some cases, you might see an increase at first. Without this closed loop feedback, if the air flow into the engine were increased without any changes in fuel quantity the engine would run lean. If the engine were to be under strain, like towing a trailer, it would run hot and could result in damage like a burned piston(s). I hope this helps.

[jd-ford-hd]

I too have used K&N filters on several vehicles and did not see increases worth mentioning in MPG. The biggest mistake I see people make when calculating MPG is inconsistent filling of the tank. I have seen buddies of mine, when fueling, jerk the nozzle the first or second time it kicks off! This is especially true with the diesel owners that claim "she gets 25MPG whether I'm hooked to a trailer or not"..!! Different nozzle makes, foaming of the fuel, speed of the station's pump, out of level station lot, etc. etc. are variables that make accurate MPGs impossible to obtain. The ONLY way to get accurate results is to stand there and trickle the fuel in to top off. You MUST have crystal clear fuel, with no foam, STANDING, not slowly receding, in the fuel filler neck. It might take 15 or 20 minutes with diesel, a little less time with gasoline and do this for the initial fill-up and each fill-up afterwards. Also check your odometer by the mile markers on the interstate to see if you lose or gain miles. Tire replacement or factory errors may have you getting bad mileage numbers to work with. Had to put my $00.02 in!!!

[flyrotor]

I priced out both having a cold air intake (K&N), and having my exhaust opened up on my suburban, the exhaust is around $375, the CAI around $435. I am not looking for increased MPG per say, but rather freeing up the airflow, both in and out, my vehicle is a 2005 Suburban 1/2 ton, 5.3 liter engine.

There seems to be some contraversy with K&N, my take (after reading this thread) is mostly how you maintain the K&N.

My question directly, is it worth ~$800? Will I get $800 longer life out of my truck, or should I keep the money and just drive my truck as is?

[EdJunior]

Well, I don't think you'll get enough of a performance boost to make such a "night and day" difference, but who knows for sure. I will say, I've had my K&N in my truck since I got it with 30,000 miles on it. It is approaching 125,000 now, and still runs like a new truck. No noticeable performance or mpg differences, but it does sound cool when you tromp the gas. And I haven't had to buy a new filter since I've had it. You'll see all kinds of controversy over this filter, and all manner of opinions. It'll never change.

[Palomino_G210]

Have a look at this for a filter comaprision.

air filter test

It is hard to find fault with what he did.

An engine rebuild cost a lot more than you can save by using reusable air filters.

[wakamicamper]

I had a 2001 F150 Supercrew that I installed the K & N filter on, and saw the same improvement in gas mileage of 2.5 mpg on the first fill. And I saw an increase in power. I never did install the air intake.
I now have a 2009 GMC 2500HD with the Duramax and had thought about installing the K & N filter to it. Upon doing some research in various Diesel forums, I have been told not to do so unless I want to do some serious damage to my engine.

According to the Dieselplace the K & N filter can let in unwanted dust particles that can seriously damage the turbocharger vanes on the Duramax and a study at the site found there would be no increase in mileage.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=117009

The study also found that the best air filter was the one that came with the truck. I guess that because a gas engine has less pressure than a diesel, the air filter upgrade works better.

[Palomino_G210]

Another question I have not seen asked is "

How much have you spent on cleaner and lubricant for the life of your K&N

and

what was the environmental impact of your using this cleaner. Was it properly disposed of???"

[StonewallGene]

I just put one on my F350 7.3 Diesel we were getting about 8 miles now it up to 10 pulling TT. We did the whole kit. We have been in Fla for a few weeks now we see that we went from 14 to 16 mpg. I would like now to do the 4" exhaust. Has anyone gone to the 4" exhaust???