K&N air filters

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
08/30/2014 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

Anybody have long term experience with them?

I just snagged one from Autozone yesterday. Usually $50, but I had $20 free to Autozone from their rewards thing so I sprung for K&N.

Did some driving to a gun show today and my MPG seemed to increase slightly. I was running on a three year old air filter so that could have something to do with it. Maybe I'm just imagining the increase in gas mileage.

DISCUSSION (31)

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 16:38

I have one for more intake noises, fuel economy I barely pay attention to though. Best I've ever seen was 21 mpg. But that's because of the K&N filter.

desertdog5051 > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 16:40

Have ran them in the bike, truck and Subaru for years. No complaints from me. Maybe a tiny bit better mileage. But hard to say. Just keep a paper filter for when you clean the K&N. They take a while to dry.

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 16:43

I've trying to find one for teh Gran Torino I also ran one in my mustang and it did a little better they are worth it. imo

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 16:46

I have one and it sucks. It takes about 50 miles before it is black and it needs cleaning on mine. It just makes noise. I'll be going with an AFE next time around. Dry filters are better.

Birddog > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 16:54

I've run them pretty much since they were introduced. In both stock and modified cars.

I don't think I've ever really noticed a performance or MPG gain. I've always lived in or traveled through areas that had gravel roads and high dust. I'd chuck paper filters quarterly.

It just made more sense to get a reusable filter.

Big Bubba Ray > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 16:55

Damn, do you drive solely on dirt roads or something? haha

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 16:56

Nope, haven't been on one in months.

Big Bubba Ray > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 17:00

That's strange. I'm going to put a couple hundred miles on it then check how dirty it is.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 17:07

I've never had an issue with their air filters.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 17:08

Weird, the ones I've had seem to only need a once a year cleaning and oiling.

desertdog5051 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 17:11

Maybe that is because they filter better and still flow. I had the bike filter flowed both clean and after 10,000 miles. Very little difference. They look dirty but it does not affect their capability.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 17:23

Their stuff is pretty great. I find it hard not using their stuff when I need a filter.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > desertdog5051
08/30/2014 at 17:48

I don't know, but I feel a significant difference between it clogged and blocked up after very few miles.

Shifty > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 17:57

Been running them since the early 80's, no mysteries or drama as long as you don't over-oil them. Other than the advert-shines, the real advantage is cash if you have expensive OE paper filters.

Dsscats > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 18:18

You're doing something seriously wrong.

midengineer > Big Bubba Ray
08/30/2014 at 18:24

I live on an (short) unpaved road and it's worked well for me for the last 2 years. I don't think it's really affected performance/MPG but it's definitely saved me $ which was the purpose of buying it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dsscats
08/30/2014 at 18:27

When I clean it, I do exactly what the instructions say.

desertdog5051 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 18:42

Don't know what to tell ya on that. Does not fit with my experience. But...

Dsscats > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 19:29

You're doing something wrong. A company would have to be stupid to put out an air filter that needs cleaning every 50 miles and people would have to be stupid to use them. My dad had one in his 525i for 30k miles, cleaning it only once and it worked perfectly.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dsscats
08/30/2014 at 20:58

Maybe something's wrong with mine, but upon looking at reviews, I won't get another. AND learning about them at tech school.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 21:59

You're either using too much oil (which is quite common) or are not letting it dry.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
08/30/2014 at 22:14

Lightly coating the oil, and letting it dry. I've also heard, per instructor at a tech school, that K&N is the air filter equivalent of Fram filters.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 22:31

Shouldn't turn black if this is the case. Not in 50 miles anyway. I have an S&B on my Mustang that came with the supercharger kit. In 12,000 miles she looks damn near brand new.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
08/30/2014 at 22:39

Isn't S&B a dry cotton filter like AFE?

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/30/2014 at 22:48

No, it's oiled.

INDYDFX- Daily FiSTer > Big Bubba Ray
08/31/2014 at 04:52

I've had one in my ST for a few months now and I have got close to 30MPG compared to 22-25 I did prior coupled with a more economic driving style. Also makes my Duratec Howl! No complaints from me.

mr2gud2u > Big Bubba Ray
08/31/2014 at 08:19

Forget about the MPGs. Tell us what you picked up at the gun show!!

Big Bubba Ray > mr2gud2u
08/31/2014 at 11:37

Haha I just picked up a box of .38 ammo for my new revolver. My friend bought himself a switchblade and another buddy of mine finally got a Glock 19. Successful day!

mr2gud2u > Big Bubba Ray
08/31/2014 at 11:46

Any pistol carbine for a decent price?The CX4 is my latest gun lust. I know its not the greatest thing for home defense, but they look like so much fun to shoot.

Philbert/Phartnagle > Big Bubba Ray
09/01/2014 at 00:03

I've been using them for years. Just follow the directions carefully for cleaning, re-oiling and drying before you reinstall when removing them for cleaning. Do not put one on any MAF engine with the oil still wet as it can and will contaminate the MAF sensor. Do not ever use an air hose to blow one out. It damages the element and will allow dirt to get through. Note, that even covered with a light coating of dirt on the outside of the filter element it will still usually outflow and clean your intake air better than a paper filter. Up to a point dirt on the outside of one will wick away some of the oil and become sticky itself which provides even more surface area for cleaning your incoming air. The performance and mileage gains are usually fairly small unless you had a severely restricted air filter system to begin with, but hey what do you expect for under a $100 anyways.

ILLec > Big Bubba Ray
09/02/2014 at 16:00

Dry filters are better, go afe or Green