K&N for Outback

[Sheldon]

I have a 97 Outback wagon automatic. Since I can't get a cold air intake
for the car, I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience replacing
just the air filter -- performance, mileage, etc. In other words, will it
pay for itself over time and is it worth it?

 

[Josh Assing]

no

 

[bigjim]

K&N filters rule. I noticed better throttle response, 1 or 2 mpg more
and the fact you clean it and it lasts forever (a million miles) make
K&N the way to go. An oem filter will be at least $20. and last 6
months to a year. My K&N for 4 years has more than paid for itself
several times over.

 

[Sheldon]

no

Did you actually try it?

 

[Frank Boettcher]

I have a 97 Outback wagon automatic. Since I can't get a cold air intake
for the car, I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience replacing
just the air filter -- performance, mileage, etc. In other words, will it
pay for itself over time and is it worth it?

If you go on the K & N site, you will notice that they make no claims
to increased mileage with a filter alone.

I had one on a Dodge Dakota, and had no increase in mileage from the
filter.

IMHO, it will only pay for itself if you keep the vehicle long enough
to recover the initial cost in throw away replacement filters.

 

[Josh Assing]

Did you actually try it?


On a subaru? no.
On several motorcycles -- yes
On a drag car - yes
on several race cars - yes.

The ONLY way to "improve it" is by altering the computer & exhaust as well.
the computer compensates to bring everything back to "normal" (in it's eyes)

Improving intake does nothing if you do not improve the exhaust, typically an
adjustment ot intake mixture is also required -- it really is a can of worms.
I don't believe anyone that says "I put a k&n (or AFE) on my car and I get
better throttle resonse & better millage" -- it's in their head. The same for
"cold air intakes" Modern engines are SYSTEMS, everything is designed to work
together -- and the brain will compensate to make it all play nice, typically to
the effect of decreased performance.

Also; the K&N, unless properly maintainced (which most people do not do) will do
one of two things: Let LESS air thru or MORE dust thru.

You cannot (as in normal oil changes) "clean your K&N" and "pop it back in" --
later than day? Maybe, the next day, probably -- it has to DRY completely after
washing it, then you have to oil it -- most people screw up on the oiling,
either too much, or too little -- or worse, oil it while it's still wet.

skip the "performance" filter...

 

[bigjim]

The filter dries pretty quick - leave it in the sun. It does take a
couple hours but well worth it. Yes MPG increases- Iwas getting high
22's and low 23's then with K&N it went to 24-25. The main thing is
the cleaning. Makes it worth it alone

 

[isquat]

K&N filters rule. I noticed better throttle response, 1 or 2 mpg more
and the fact you clean it and it lasts forever (a million miles) make
K&N the way to go. An oem filter will be at least $20. and last 6
months to a year. My K&N for 4 years has more than paid for itself
several times over.

i'm sooo glad i haven't bought my subaru used.

 

[bigjim]

Me too. Used cars are usually a headache

On Jun 24, 4:54 pm, (e-mail address removed) wrote:> K&N filters rule. I noticed better throttle response, 1 or 2 mpg more

i'm sooo glad i haven't bought my subaru used.

 

[Todd H.]

Me too. Used cars are usually a headache

In my case, my purchased new and fastidiously maintained Subaru has
recently been quite a headache.

Not that I'm bitter.

 

[Dano58]

You have to be careful using these filters on newer cars. K&N's (or
any filter that must be oiled) can foul the mass airflow sensors on
some cars (Audi's in particular) leading to CEL's and driveability
issues. Here is another view -

http://www.caddyinfo.com/airfilterstudy2.htm

Pet peeve: why are aftermarket intake systems called 'cold air
intakes'? You're replacing a stock system that takes actual outside
air with a system that doesn't - the air filter sits under the hood,
sucking in nice hot air (regardless of whether there is a 'heat
shield'.). Could never understand that terminology.

Dan D

 

[bigjim]

Used one on a 94 Trooper for 7 years- No failures or issues that could
be attributed to filter
Used one on 04 Outback over 3 years/78k miles . No issues whatsoever
with vehicle except Front Strut blowing and weatherstripping tearing-
neither attributed to filter.
The study you posted is nice but the Numbers are so close. I'll
stick with K&N in every vehicle I get and will put one in the wife's
next car

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

i'm sooo glad i haven't bought my subaru used.

Wait a minute...you have a Subaru, AND a Honda?

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

You have to be careful using these filters on newer cars. K&N's (or any
filter that must be oiled) can foul the mass airflow sensors on some cars
(Audi's in particular) leading to CEL's and driveability issues. Here is
another view -

http://www.caddyinfo.com/airfilterstudy2.htm

Pet peeve: why are aftermarket intake systems called 'cold air intakes'?
You're replacing a stock system that takes actual outside air with a
system that doesn't - the air filter sits under the hood, sucking in nice
hot air (regardless of whether there is a 'heat shield'.). Could never
understand that terminology.

Dan D

Interesting.

If the thing is designed properly, it will pick up air near the same point
as the OEM airbox did, and the air should be cooler than the ambient eng
compartment air.

They also make a 'deflector' for most intakes that helps scoop the air
from the point where it comes into the eng. comp, helping to ensure the
air is at the intake is cooler than ambient. Does it work? I dunno...

A *real* Cold Air Intake, like an Iceman, routes to just under the front
bumper of the car, making sure the air coming into the intake is cooler
than the eng comp air.

I put an 'intake' on a Tercel, and noticed 2 things right off the bat:

Throttle response was better. We're talking about a 1.5l engine here, so
*ANY* 'performance' gain would be noticable; but off the line, it was
better.

Fuel economy. This car had an AT and managed 38 MPG combined City/Highway
with my style of driving (rarely under 50, and 70 on the highway). After
installing the intake, *COMBINED* fuel economy settled between 44-46 MPG!!!

Considering that's what a Prius averages, I'd say that's pretty decent!

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Improving intake does nothing if you do not improve the exhaust, typically
an adjustment ot intake mixture is also required -- it really is a can of
worms. I don't believe anyone that says "I put a k&n (or AFE) on my car
and I get better throttle resonse & better millage" -- it's in their head.

On my Tercel, it was all in my wallet...a $50 Intake raised the fuel
economy from ~38 MPG to ~45MPG.

And I keep records on all my cars. I have an '85 Corolla GTS in the back
yard with a black notebook documanting every fillup the car has had since
I owned it, along with a computation of the mpg.

21 YEARS worth of fillups!

In the Teercel's case, there were 3 months of fillups at 36~38 MPG, and
after the installation of the intake economy ranged 43~46 MPG.

Another interesting note: there was NO variation for Hot/Cold weather. The
fuel economy remained consistant for the three years I owned the car.

 

[Dano58]

Well, we just out a deposit on a '99 Impreza RS2.5. It has a cold air
intake! It is actually routed out of the engine compartment into the
passenger's side fender area, behind the headlight, the stock
location, apparently. It's a bigger tube - the brand is Injen. Looked
very spiffy.

Dan D
'99 Impreza RS2.5 (son's)
Central NJ USA

 

[bigjim]

I see they have them for my 04 outback. A bit less than $300. I wish
I knew of them when car was newer. If /i keep the car I may get one
but I hope to get new vehicle next year. so who knows.

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Well, we just out a deposit on a '99 Impreza RS2.5. It has a cold air
intake! It is actually routed out of the engine compartment into the
passenger's side fender area, behind the headlight, the stock location,
apparently. It's a bigger tube - the brand is Injen. Looked very spiffy.

Dan D
'99 Impreza RS2.5 (son's)
Central NJ USA

Now, your tag says...you already have one...?

If so, let us know how the one with the intake compares to the one without.

 

[isquat]

You have to be careful using these filters on newer cars. K&N's (or
any filter that must be oiled) can foul the mass airflow sensors on
some cars (Audi's in particular) leading to CEL's and driveability
issues. Here is another view -

http://www.caddyinfo.com/airfilterstudy2.htm

Pet peeve: why are aftermarket intake systems called 'cold air
intakes'? You're replacing a stock system that takes actual outside
air with a system that doesn't - the air filter sits under the hood,
sucking in nice hot air (regardless of whether there is a 'heat
shield'.). Could never understand that terminology.

that's the whole point of shit mods for rice kids.
they won't ever call this Suck the Crud in Foul Weather intake.
marketing. sheesh.

 

[froseth]

Where do you get the $50 Intake that gives you such a boost in fuel
mileage? I need one.

Thanks