K & N Filter - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nroden · 10-22-2002, 07:59 AM

My grandparents neighbor gave me a K & N Filter and the chrome breather for a 350 4bbl since he'd never use it agian since he no longer has anything that would use it. I just wanted to make sure if this was one by compareing of a pick of another one. Also are these good to use on gravel since the holes are so big and do they let dirt in? Tell me what you think of them, before I put it on.

crazy longhorn · 10-22-2002, 08:15 AM

I have a 14x4 K&N on the longhorn, & due to the tilt front end, it runs in a dustier enviroment. I plan to add a prefilter to help the situation, & would reccomend it on gravel roads. Check into Summit, or Jegs for the prefilters(just a foam sock to rap the element. the beauty of the K&N is that it can be cleaned & reoiled. The initial cost seems a little high, but with 14" open elments @ $8-9 a pop(paper), it doesnt take too long to pay for itself. to answer the Q, I dont think it will be a problem running the filter in gravel..........crazy AL

crazy longhorn · 10-22-2002, 08:27 AM

Oops, here is a link.... http://store.summitracing.com/partde...57#largerimage

yellowgmc · 10-22-2002, 10:39 AM

i.ve had k&ns in my last 2 trucks and my wifes car and had no problems. the oil seems to grab the dirt and hold it. if your worried about dirt getting in you could wash it a little more frequently. ive had no problems. my buddy runs one on a bronco II with a 5.0 and 38's in mud runs with no problems. that thing comes home covered in mud. i say run it. you may even get a little hp boost as well. jmo tho.
oops can't type

Michael A. K. G · 10-22-2002, 05:58 PM

Actually, K&N recommends against too-frequent cleaning because they depend upon the dirt to do some of the filtering!

K&Ns research shows that they pass 1-20 micron particles. K&N won't tell you how this compares to paper filters, but it isn't good. Even Fram filters do better than that.

IMO, K&N is one of those products that has too much marketing. Their ping pong ball demo, if you have ever seen it, is extremely misleading.

Without working over the ENTIRE engine, removing one restriction (that isn't really all that significant) will not make any difference.

*Zkast* · 10-22-2002, 06:48 PM

The dirtier the situation the better when it comes to K&N filters.

Pre oil the filter to prime it so to speak, oil attracts dirt, as the dirt/dust particals build up the filter becomes more and more efficient. If you like you can even run a pre filter (sponge) which doesnt do much good unless your into off roading or dirt track racing where there are large particales that could clog the filter.

I definatly would run a KN if you already have it. I put on one every performance vehicle I have. There's a reason most of your racer's (nascar/dirt track/drag strip or where ever) use K&N.

Michael A. K. G · 10-22-2002, 07:32 PM

Do keep in mind that what "racers" do is not necessarily what is best for your truck.

Especially, wear and risk to the engine are both much less of a concern. A race engine doesn't have to last 100K+ miles. A street engine doesn't have to rev up to 8000+ RPM. They are different.

If your goals happen to match up with a racer, than maybe matching choices is called for. But if you ONLY drop in a K&N, you won't do anything. Race engines are engineered so that flow is maximized throughout the engine. This is an exceedingly important step. For instance, improving the intake without porting the heads will just increase the (absolute) pressure in the heads.

lukecp · 10-22-2002, 08:15 PM

I have a K&N filter in my 14x3 open element chrome air cleaner. I like it alot. I was able to get a deal on one at O'Reilly's for $36, not too bad considering they are around $45 from Summit. It's great when you are friends with everyone that works there

. Anyway, i really didn't see much of a difference once i put it in, but i gave the truck a tune-up at the same time. It may have given me a whopping 5 hp. But, i can wash it, re-use it, and it does look pretty cool. I would just get one to save a little money, not for the not-so-great power gains they give you.

*Zkast* · 10-22-2002, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Especially, wear and risk to the engine are both much less of a concern

Your joking right? While running a Pro stock in OKC for a few years, I dont remember every telling myself "It's ok, this $11k Sabastian 350 isnt important to me" and throw on a KN on it just because everyone else is and doesnt care about making it last. Not to mention filling the air bleeds of a BG carb with debris.

He asked opinions on an air filter he recieved.. my advise is still the same. USE IT, and never buy another paper filter again.

enough busting balls over an air filter.

greasemonkey · 10-22-2002, 09:09 PM

^what he said. I have better mileage with the K&N and I am not imagining it.

Hooter · 10-22-2002, 11:36 PM

Its mostly marketing. Same with fram, anyone ever taken apart a fram oil filter and compare it wit a premium napa oil filter, the napa filter is by far better and is the only oil filter that i will run on any of my vehicles

mikep · 10-23-2002, 12:23 AM

Was it Hot Rod or PHR that did an article on K&N a few months back ? Actually it was performance filters in general. I believe the consensus was that they didnt gain any HP with the K&N versus a paper Fram filter.

Personally I'd rather change the paper filter every year or so than go through the pain in the ass of cleaning and oiling the K&N on a regular basis especially given the fact I have never kept a completed project more than a few years and yes I have used them before. I still like the look of a fresh paper filter over the off yellow color of the K&N.

10-22-2002, 07:59 AM	#1
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	K & N Filter My grandparents neighbor gave me a K & N Filter and the chrome breather for a 350 4bbl since he'd never use it agian since he no longer has anything that would use it. I just wanted to make sure if this was one by compareing of a pick of another one. Also are these good to use on gravel since the holes are so big and do they let dirt in? Tell me what you think of them, before I put it on. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

10-22-2002, 10:39 AM	#4
yellowgmc Getting cabin fever?!?!?! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: chisholm, mn Posts: 1,679	i.ve had k&ns in my last 2 trucks and my wifes car and had no problems. the oil seems to grab the dirt and hold it. if your worried about dirt getting in you could wash it a little more frequently. ive had no problems. my buddy runs one on a bronco II with a 5.0 and 38's in mud runs with no problems. that thing comes home covered in mud. i say run it. you may even get a little hp boost as well. jmo tho. oops can't type __________________ Member of the Discs Up Front Club 1972 GMC 1500 1994 F-150 XL 4x4 Tact is for people not whitty enough to be sarcastic

10-22-2002, 08:15 PM	#8
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I have a K&N filter in my 14x3 open element chrome air cleaner. I like it alot. I was able to get a deal on one at O'Reilly's for $36, not too bad considering they are around $45 from Summit. It's great when you are friends with everyone that works there . Anyway, i really didn't see much of a difference once i put it in, but i gave the truck a tune-up at the same time. It may have given me a whopping 5 hp. But, i can wash it, re-use it, and it does look pretty cool. I would just get one to save a little money, not for the not-so-great power gains they give you. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

10-22-2002, 09:09 PM	#10
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	^what he said. I have better mileage with the K&N and I am not imagining it. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

10-22-2002, 11:36 PM	#11
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	Its mostly marketing. Same with fram, anyone ever taken apart a fram oil filter and compare it wit a premium napa oil filter, the napa filter is by far better and is the only oil filter that i will run on any of my vehicles __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

10-22-2002, 08:15 AM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I have a 14x4 K&N on the longhorn, & due to the tilt front end, it runs in a dustier enviroment. I plan to add a prefilter to help the situation, & would reccomend it on gravel roads. Check into Summit, or Jegs for the prefilters(just a foam sock to rap the element. the beauty of the K&N is that it can be cleaned & reoiled. The initial cost seems a little high, but with 14" open elments @ $8-9 a pop(paper), it doesnt take too long to pay for itself. to answer the Q, I dont think it will be a problem running the filter in gravel..........crazy AL

10-22-2002, 08:27 AM	#3
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Oops, here is a link.... http://store.summitracing.com/partde...57#largerimage

10-22-2002, 05:58 PM	#5
Michael A. K. G Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California central coast Posts: 126	Actually, K&N recommends against too-frequent cleaning because they depend upon the dirt to do some of the filtering! K&Ns research shows that they pass 1-20 micron particles. K&N won't tell you how this compares to paper filters, but it isn't good. Even Fram filters do better than that. IMO, K&N is one of those products that has too much marketing. Their ping pong ball demo, if you have ever seen it, is extremely misleading. Without working over the ENTIRE engine, removing one restriction (that isn't really all that significant) will not make any difference.

10-22-2002, 06:48 PM	#6
Zkast Account Suspended Join Date: May 2002 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 929	The dirtier the situation the better when it comes to K&N filters. Pre oil the filter to prime it so to speak, oil attracts dirt, as the dirt/dust particals build up the filter becomes more and more efficient. If you like you can even run a pre filter (sponge) which doesnt do much good unless your into off roading or dirt track racing where there are large particales that could clog the filter. I definatly would run a KN if you already have it. I put on one every performance vehicle I have. There's a reason most of your racer's (nascar/dirt track/drag strip or where ever) use K&N.

10-22-2002, 07:32 PM	#7
Michael A. K. G Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California central coast Posts: 126	Do keep in mind that what "racers" do is not necessarily what is best for your truck. Especially, wear and risk to the engine are both much less of a concern. A race engine doesn't have to last 100K+ miles. A street engine doesn't have to rev up to 8000+ RPM. They are different. If your goals happen to match up with a racer, than maybe matching choices is called for. But if you ONLY drop in a K&N, you won't do anything. Race engines are engineered so that flow is maximized throughout the engine. This is an exceedingly important step. For instance, improving the intake without porting the heads will just increase the (absolute) pressure in the heads.

10-23-2002, 12:23 AM	#12
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Was it Hot Rod or PHR that did an article on K&N a few months back ? Actually it was performance filters in general. I believe the consensus was that they didnt gain any HP with the K&N versus a paper Fram filter. Personally I'd rather change the paper filter every year or so than go through the pain in the ass of cleaning and oiling the K&N on a regular basis especially given the fact I have never kept a completed project more than a few years and yes I have used them before. I still like the look of a fresh paper filter over the off yellow color of the K&N. __________________ No truck :-(



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