D
Dennis Maher
Has anyone used a K&N Air Filter on their Outbacks or Forresters. If so, did
it help performance or was it difficult to install.
it help performance or was it difficult to install.
B
BBB
It was no problem to install on my 2003 Forester XS. Gas mileage went
up almost 1 MPG, but that could have been due to break-in, as I
installed the filter pretty early in the life of the car.
There has also been discussion on some of the Subaru Web sites about
Green Filters as another alternative.
up almost 1 MPG, but that could have been due to break-in, as I
installed the filter pretty early in the life of the car.
There has also been discussion on some of the Subaru Web sites about
Green Filters as another alternative.
V
Voja
I installed it on my 2002 Outback STW. Really easy do it job.
One problem, though. After installing it I noticed engine
knock/detonation (ping). Went to my service shop and decided to take it
out in order to reduce it.
Yes, car was a little bit more peppy, but it was taking more gas as well.
Voja
One problem, though. After installing it I noticed engine
knock/detonation (ping). Went to my service shop and decided to take it
out in order to reduce it.
Yes, car was a little bit more peppy, but it was taking more gas as well.
Voja
T
TG
How long was it in? A little more time might have cured everything. Changes
in the intake need time on modern OBDII cars. TG
in the intake need time on modern OBDII cars. TG
G
Guest
TG said:
I have installed "short ram" air intake with K&N filter on my '97 OB. I have
reset computer by disconnecting battery for more than one hour (during
installation), and it took more than 1000 miles before my computer adjusted
MPG back to value I had before installation. I got a little performance
increase at 2500 rpm and higher, but my transmission started to "think"
before changing a gear. Now, after 3 monthes with K&N I switched back to
original plastic air intake and original filter to see difference...
T
TW-Ohio
K&N Filters
I have a drop-in K&N in my GT wgn and noticed in the first week that it does
pull a wee bit harder and more smoothly (it lessened pings and low rpm
hesitation) and may have helped mpg a bit as well. I got a highest of 28.4mpg
on a fast 3 tank highway trip last summer, but am now *always* on the gas as I
enjoy a nice running H4 motor. My worst ever mpg with the K&N and purposefully
spinning all 4 Blizzaks was 20.9. I'll see how it does when I get my RE92's
replaced later this week. ...can't wait...
I may install a Cobb Tuning intake and put the K&N in my wife's Legacy SE, and
see if she notices!
Terry - '02 Regatta-Red 5spd Legacy GT wagon, 29,000 miles,
Yakima / TandeMover / Rockymount rack.
'03 Silver Legacy SE auto-sedan - 6150 miles.
'85 CH250 - 4060miles!
To reply, get rid of the "nonsense"
I have a drop-in K&N in my GT wgn and noticed in the first week that it does
pull a wee bit harder and more smoothly (it lessened pings and low rpm
hesitation) and may have helped mpg a bit as well. I got a highest of 28.4mpg
on a fast 3 tank highway trip last summer, but am now *always* on the gas as I
enjoy a nice running H4 motor. My worst ever mpg with the K&N and purposefully
spinning all 4 Blizzaks was 20.9. I'll see how it does when I get my RE92's
replaced later this week. ...can't wait...
I may install a Cobb Tuning intake and put the K&N in my wife's Legacy SE, and
see if she notices!
Terry - '02 Regatta-Red 5spd Legacy GT wagon, 29,000 miles,
Yakima / TandeMover / Rockymount rack.
'03 Silver Legacy SE auto-sedan - 6150 miles.
'85 CH250 - 4060miles!
To reply, get rid of the "nonsense"
V
Voja
I installed it at 24K km. Just after 50K km I decided to get rid of it
after long fight with my *ex*service shop re. engine ping.
Voja
after long fight with my *ex*service shop re. engine ping.
Voja
Y
y_p_w
Voja said:
I'm not all that convinced they keep out dust as well as an oiled
paper filter (like OEM Subaru). I once bought a drop-in K&N and a
recharging kit. You can see through the mesh. The oil allegedly
attracts dust by static attraction. They claim small cotton fibers
are in the mesh holes, and that you have to really be careful
cleaning and drying the filter when recharging it. The main thing
I noticed about the K&N was that the air box did get louder. Even
my dad could tell.
I've heard of people using K&N filters, who stopped after oil analysis
showed excessive oil contamination. I've also saw an auto magazine
test of a K&N cone filter. It definitely improved top end power,
but it actually decreased power around 2K RPM.
C
Chris Phillipo
That's about what my experience is with mine in my truck. Much louder
intake, better top end, same or worse low end. Maybe more dirt int he
oil but I never had it analyzed, there was never any dirt in the
downstream side of the air intake. There were server trips on long
dusty trails for hours behind another 4x4 where paper filters would have
been clogging in no time, like the AC vents and even my CD player were.
As it was I had to clean the K&N a couple of times in the field. On
regular roads I don't think I would go K&N again, when I finally do get
my Subaru I'll probably stick with aftermarket paper filters.
Y
y_p_w
Chris said:
Doesn't K&N have "sleeves" for certain off-road applications - i.e.
cylindrical air filters? There are less restrictive foam filters that
can be cleaned. I remember the air box in a Briggs & Stratton lawn
mower engine with a foam insert meant to be soaked in motor oil.
I think the OEM Subaru air filter isn't bad. Like I said - it's oiled
paper. I bought a few, and there's definitely an oily residue on the
inside of the plastic bag it's in, as well as on the metal frame. It
cost me more (mail-order) than the $7 the Fram equivalent would be at
a discount store, but I don't trust Fram. I once cut myself on one
when the sharp metal mesh punctured through the soft rubber frame.
E
Edward Hayes
I decided on not using K&N filter long ago as my engine life is more
important than a couple of top-end horse power. In addition; if you are not
very careful when reoiling you can destroy a very expensive mass flow meter
and of course there's the mess of oil/rags etc. Eddie
important than a couple of top-end horse power. In addition; if you are not
very careful when reoiling you can destroy a very expensive mass flow meter
and of course there's the mess of oil/rags etc. Eddie
G
GRL
I've said it before, but here it goes again.
Before you install that K&N, ask yourself which manufacturer specifies K&N
filters for their cars from the factory? Recall that with many
high-performance brands, Porsche, BMW M's, Vette's, etc., price is really no
object as what they are after is power; so if a $50 air filter us power even
a little with no deleterious effect, they'd specify it for competitive
reasons.
The answer is...none.
Further, every now and then Car & Driver tests these things as a
after-market part add-on for one of their test cars. I've been reading C&D
since the 60's and they have NEVER found a performance benefit over a oem
filter.
On the other hand, if you are just after more intake noise or the right to
have a cool K&N sticker on your car and don't worry about silica and other
crap getting in your engine, go for it.
End of discussion, no?
--
- GRL
"It's good to want things."
Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
Before you install that K&N, ask yourself which manufacturer specifies K&N
filters for their cars from the factory? Recall that with many
high-performance brands, Porsche, BMW M's, Vette's, etc., price is really no
object as what they are after is power; so if a $50 air filter us power even
a little with no deleterious effect, they'd specify it for competitive
reasons.
The answer is...none.
Further, every now and then Car & Driver tests these things as a
after-market part add-on for one of their test cars. I've been reading C&D
since the 60's and they have NEVER found a performance benefit over a oem
filter.
On the other hand, if you are just after more intake noise or the right to
have a cool K&N sticker on your car and don't worry about silica and other
crap getting in your engine, go for it.
End of discussion, no?
--
- GRL
"It's good to want things."
Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
Y
y_p_w
GRL said:
I don't know about "none". It's not exactly "factory", but several
aftermarket "performance packages" that dealers can order have K&N
(or similar) filters. These packages are approved by the manufacturer
and won't void parts of the warranty. Of course I'd tend to believe
that any negative consequences of using a K&N filter would show up
long past the warranty period.
I wouldn't say so. I've seen independent tests showing maybe a 2-5%
increase in power at the top end, but a small decrease at low RPM.
Of course the benefits are generally more pronounced (the fancy word
is synergy) if there is a full set of performance headers/exhaust/etc -
at which point you've just screwed up your warranty.
C
Chris Phillipo
The answer is, they have their own version of the same thing. When's
the last time you bought a part at a dealership that didn't have the car
manufacturers name on it?
the last time you bought a part at a dealership that didn't have the car
manufacturers name on it?
V
Verbs Under My Gel
The answer is, they have their own version of the same thing. When's
I don't think _any_ manufacturer installs oiled-gauze air filters.
I don't think _any_ manufacturer installs oiled-gauze air filters.
Y
y_p_w
Perhapsnot out of the factory.
However- I do seem to remember Ford has some approved aftermaket
tuning packages. The dealer orders the package (w/ manufacturer's
options codes), the car is delivered from the tuner, and the end
result is a fully factory-warranted car. Someof these tuning kits
include K&N (or similar) air filters.
However - if they're any problem from the K&N filter, it's not
going to show up in the first 50K miles.
E
Edward Hayes
Ford & Chrysler have aftermarket performance parts i.e. Mopar, and the parts
are warranty but, not other parts if you abuse the "other" parts because you
were dumb.
are warranty but, not other parts if you abuse the "other" parts because you
were dumb.
C
Chris Phillipo
Honda has oil/foam filters for just about everything.
E
Edward Hayes
Subaru oem and Purolator (autoparts) are oil impregnated which is different
than just spraying oil on the filter media like K&M. ed.
than just spraying oil on the filter media like K&M. ed.
C
Chris Phillipo
Subaru oem and Purolator (autoparts) are oil impregnated which is different
than just spraying oil on the filter media like K&M. ed.
Chris Phillipo said:
The Honda filters are washable. Just about every manufacturer has a
washable foam filter for high dust environments. I've been on trails
that clogged a paper filter to the point of causing the engine to
sputter in under 3 hours. Of course the guy in the lead didn't have any
problems