Aftermarket Air Filters, your opinions

[Qxxx4]

K&N? I dont exactly care about HP gain, but I want to be able to clean it often and keep gas mileage decent, so how long will it last and is it bad for my intake system in ANY way? thanks

[Andrew224]

K&Ns breath better because they are less restrictive. The downside is that more dirt particles get past the filter. IMO, stick with OEM Nissan filters or a decent brand like Fram. They are cheap enough to change frequently and offer better protection to your engine over the long run.

Andrew

[Buzzman]

I switched to a K&N a few years ago, and quite frankly, I didn't feel any change. No noticeable difference in mileage or performance really. The one thing to be aware of is that if you over oil the filter, you can contaminate or even destroy the MAF sensor. I haven't had the problem, but it is something to keep in mind.

[Qxxx4]

good call, I will stick to regular air filters then, the last thing i want to do is damage anything int he hopes of performance gains.

[02pathy]

get the amsoil filter eoa filter, its a dry filter that can be cleaned like the k&n instead of water u use a vacuum an i think they r like 40-50 bucks with the million mile gurantee

[bmlawless]

I added a K&N filter and a cold air intake on my 7.4L Chevy that I use for heavy towing/hauling. I really haven't noticed any difference any difference other than a killer sound. I have often considered removing it and selling it since it was a rather expensive upgrade.

[Infinitidood412]

As you know i use the K&N drop in filter. i cant really say if there was a performance increase because i got the filter about 2 weeks after i got the car so i really have nothing to compare it to. and as far as oiling the filter...i didn't do it.....where does it say you need to?

[Buzzman]

I don't know if it says anywhere in particular that you "need" to, but common sense should tell you that at some point in the life of the car, the air filter will get dirty, and needs to be cleaned or replaced. The point of the K&N is that it is reusable. There is a cleaning kit that you should have. You can buy it at any auto parts store. The filter is soaked and then washed in their solution, and then you let it dry. If washed properly, the filter will not be red anymore. The oil and dirt should all wash out. Once it is dry, then you re-oil the filter. That's where the red colour comes from. Just be careful. Don't over oil it, and let it sit for a few hours after you do it, just to let it evaporate and dry a little.

[Issac]

I bought the Jim Wolfe Pop charger cone filter. I could not believe the difference because intakes never did much for my other cars. It is an cloth and oil type (like K&N).

It took some work to get it just right though, but not hard. I pulled air box and seperate snorkel, made a simple protective shield for water entry, and it is cold air mostly, and can be 100% if you want to make a box to contain it.

It is easy to wash, large diameter. I oil it minimally and clean it often. Plus I oil the box I put it in. Oddly enough, the dust sticks to the sides of it, saving filter. I figured what the heck and it does increase filter life.

[dapfnp]

I used a K&N drop filter in a VQ35 PF a while ago (it was pre-oiled). After a few weeks, i noticed a very fine coating of dirt/dust on the "clean" side of the filter box. I think it did not filter nearly as well as a standard paper type filter. I did replace it with a Pure One filter. No dirt on the clean side. K&N is not worth it in my opinion.

As for performance, i think after spending about $50 for a K&N, i convinced myself the car was running stronger. My wife, who actually drives the vehicle, said i was imagining things.