mnkyboy

My PR5 is the first car that I will actually modify, so I am pretty new at this. I was told by a friend that the first thing to do is replace the air filter. He uses a K&N in his 98 mustang. Is this a good brand to use in a PR5? What will a high quality air filter do for the PR5? Does K&N specs meet the Manufacturers required specs for the filters?

If anyone wants to give me some tips on easy mods, that will NOT void my warranty, please post them here tnks ...

mnkyboy

Anyone know?

Protege5online

The K&N is def. a good easy mod to do (if you dont go with a full intake like the Injen or AEM). It allows more air flow & you dont have to change it all the time. Its lasts a lifetime. Now for simple mods that wont void your warranty, a full intake system (like the Injen, AEM or MHP) is good & wont void your warranty. It (like anything else you do to your car) cant void a warranty but if they can trace a problem you are having to that modification, they can choose to not work on it under warranty. a good cat back exhaust is good (like the Bosal or Borla). You can also change your spark plugs to something like the Denso or NGK Iridiums (not much of a gain by themselves but they do help a little with other mods done too & they last longer & you'll probably see a small increase is your gas mileage). Those are really the simplest engine mods you can do yourself if you have any mechanical skills at all. You've got plenty of choices for looks from there!

mnkyboy

Thanks Protege5online for the tips.

If I do change the air filter to a K&N, what will I benefit out of it, besides never having to buy another filter?

Also, the PR5 has the same engine as the Protege ES, so parts, etc will work either way, correct?

mnkyboy

tnks for the tips

exmiataman

There is no proof that a K&N panel filter realizes any noticeable power gains. Case in point: My brother recently dynoed his Miata with a K&N and a regular paper filter. The K&N gained 0 hp. Others have reported gains of no more than 1-2 hp, nothing you could feel. K&N makes no claims of performance gains for their panel filters, if I remember correctly.

In fact, there have been some recent discussion on the miataforum and elsewhere that the K&N filters actually allow more dirt into the engine (which is reasonably logical if you think about it). I don't remember the link, but a quick search of the miataforum archives should bring it up.

FWIW, I had a K&N in my Miata for more than a year, and never noticed any difference in power, throttle response, or gas mileage. I also found that washing and reoiling the filter was a pain in the ***. Much easier to just buy a new paper filter. YMMV