K&N....is it worth it?
July-12th-2002, 10:14 AM
#1
Protege Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Jordan, Ontario
Posts: 143
K&N....is it worth it?
I'm debating whether or not to spend $70 on a K&N drop in filter.....i've heard both ways...that they are worth it...and that it is a waste of money.....if you have one...or know of someone that has...share the differences you noticed please....i want to know how much it helps it breath better....thanx....you input is appreciated...
July-12th-2002, 02:46 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Fenwick, Ontario
Posts: 270
I had a K&N cone on my old Beretta, and it actually made the car run better. It didn't stumble and hesitate like it used to, and it got somewhat better fuel mileage (22 vs 18mpg, more air flow=better MPG)
Paying $70 for a drop-in isn't justified though, go to automotive warehouse. I'm probably going to get one for my car. And don't forget the cleaning kit!
Paying $70 for a drop-in isn't justified though, go to automotive warehouse. I'm probably going to get one for my car. And don't forget the cleaning kit!
July-16th-2002, 05:31 PM
#7
Protege Newbie
Join Date: May 2002
Location: East Coast US.
Posts: 21
Can you describe the Ebay filter?
I got the filter and adapter off Ebay for $28.95 shipped to my door.
July-18th-2002, 07:31 AM
#10
Protege Newbie
Join Date: May 2002
Location: East Coast US.
Posts: 21
Right Now Cheap is Good, but...
I f you follow the intake tube from the throttle back down to the MAF (that sits directly on top of the stock air box) you find that the inlet to the MAF is a rectangular hole. Its pretty small, but the plastic coupler (the lid of the stock air box) seems to ne even smaller.
The only think I want to change is to remove everything under the MAF and couple its rectangular intake port directly to a filter initially. Maybe later I would add a cold air tube underneath.
The main thing is to just get some air into the engine. The airbox lid is so restrictive its got to be robbing more horsepower than the filer itself. I think that lid is the reason a drop-in K&N just does not have a lot of effect.
Look at this image (ita a Camry, but similar to Protege) see the arrow pointing to the little adapter. Vibrant technologies makes three of these. One each for Subaru, Nissan, and Toyota. None for Mazda. My guess is that the Toyota adapter is the one I need, but I don't want to order it without knowing.
I figured someone here has bought this piece and knows which one it is, or the part number, or something. If they did buy this piece, then they'd know which filter fits in the available space. There is not much space, so it will have to be a short filter.
The only think I want to change is to remove everything under the MAF and couple its rectangular intake port directly to a filter initially. Maybe later I would add a cold air tube underneath.
The main thing is to just get some air into the engine. The airbox lid is so restrictive its got to be robbing more horsepower than the filer itself. I think that lid is the reason a drop-in K&N just does not have a lot of effect.
Look at this image (ita a Camry, but similar to Protege) see the arrow pointing to the little adapter. Vibrant technologies makes three of these. One each for Subaru, Nissan, and Toyota. None for Mazda. My guess is that the Toyota adapter is the one I need, but I don't want to order it without knowing.
I figured someone here has bought this piece and knows which one it is, or the part number, or something. If they did buy this piece, then they'd know which filter fits in the available space. There is not much space, so it will have to be a short filter.
July-18th-2002, 10:50 AM
#12
Protege Newbie
Join Date: May 2002
Location: East Coast US.
Posts: 21
You are wrong, and you are right.
Yes with more air coming in you can now get a lot more fuel into the engine when you stand on the throttle and that means you get lower mileage, but...
If you drive lightly, keep your foot out of the throttle you should see an increase in mileage as the lower restriction means the engine has greater intake tract efficiency (doesn't have to suck as hard to get the air needed).
In reality I would not expect more than .5 - 1 MPG increase with any filter change. And I expect the way we drive you are going to stand on the throttle more. Many drivers will thus have lower mileage, but its your choice how you drive.
Yes with more air coming in you can now get a lot more fuel into the engine when you stand on the throttle and that means you get lower mileage, but...
If you drive lightly, keep your foot out of the throttle you should see an increase in mileage as the lower restriction means the engine has greater intake tract efficiency (doesn't have to suck as hard to get the air needed).
In reality I would not expect more than .5 - 1 MPG increase with any filter change. And I expect the way we drive you are going to stand on the throttle more. Many drivers will thus have lower mileage, but its your choice how you drive.
