Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Trucks / October 2005

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

K&N 63 Series Aircharger Kits- Any good?

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
Josh - 15 Oct 2005 23:33 GMT
Has anyone had any experience with the K&N Filtercharger kits on a
2005 Tundra?

Here is a link to the wesite:
http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=63-9027
K&N Product Information for 63-9027
63 Series Aircharger Kits
Ken Shelton - 17 Oct 2005 20:57 GMT
> Has anyone had any experience with the K&N Filtercharger kits on a
> 2005 Tundra?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> K&N Product Information for 63-9027
> 63 Series Aircharger Kits
How much do they charge for this 4% gain at peak and no help at
everyday driving rpms?  Likely not much benefit for the cost.

Ken
Eddie - 20 Oct 2005 02:09 GMT
It lets more air and dirt into the engine. Not really an issue for a race
angine that only has to last 500 miles between rebuilds, but for street
use and 200k+ miles, not good.

>> Has anyone had any experience with the K&N Filtercharger kits on a 2005
>> Tundra?
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Ken
Jeff Strickland - 19 Oct 2005 21:32 GMT
The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to replacing a
paper filter.

I won't even begin to suggest that a K&N is good or bad, the only thing it
is is cheaper over a long period of time. How much cheaper depends on how
often you would otherwise replace the air filter (if paper), how much the
paper filters cost, how much the K&N costs, and how long you keep the car.

If a paper filter costs $8, and the K&N costs $40, then it will take however
long 6 paper filters last to recover the cost of the K&N, then you save from
that point to the end of your ownership.

This is the Simple Math, and it ignores completely the cost of the K&N
maintenance kit, and the potential damage done to the motor by any dirt that
might get past the filter.

> Has anyone had any experience with the K&N Filtercharger kits on a
> 2005 Tundra?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> K&N Product Information for 63-9027
> 63 Series Aircharger Kits
Josh - 21 Oct 2005 00:56 GMT
>The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to replacing a
>paper filter.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>> K&N Product Information for 63-9027
>> 63 Series Aircharger Kits

Jeff, thank you for your fresh logic.  I never really though it
further than the whizz bang factor. I am wondering whether or not the
filter does pass a greater volume of air and while doing so, removing
the same or less dirt and debris than the paper counterparts.
I think these are about $260.00. I don't even know if they are
available here in California, as they are not smog legal.  
josh
Jeff Strickland - 22 Oct 2005 16:44 GMT
>>The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to replacing a
>>paper filter.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> available here in California, as they are not smog legal.
> josh

The stuff that I've read says that a clean paper filter is about as good as
you can get. If you replaced the paper filter one more time a year than the
schedule calls for, you could see about the same air flow as with the K&N.

Here's another angle to consider. An engine can only take in as much air as
it can spit out. If the exhaust is the choke point, then you can do whatever
you want to the intake and still have an engine that gasps for air.

I'm not sure how efficient the stock exhaust is, but if you plan on keeping
it then your intake won't improve very much. If you wanted to maximize the
exhaust so all of the air could get out, then you could look to maximizing
the intake to get more air in.

One more thing to consider with the K&N is that it works by replacing a few
million really tiny holes with a few hundred thousand larger holes. The
filter traps dirt because the gauze material that it is filled with has to
be kept well oiled. You have to take the filter element off and wash it, let
it dry out very well, then oil it again before you can use it. If you let
the oil dry out, then more dirt gets past, and this can be a problem for the
internals of your motor. If your travels take you exclusively on the street,
where there really isn't much dirt, then you should be okay, but if you take
your truck offroading, then I'd give serious consideration of of what you
are about to do. If you could get an airtube to replace the airbox, then use
a paper filter and replace it regularly, then you could reasonably improve
the intake track and retain the filtration that the engineers want.
Eddie - 22 Oct 2005 20:26 GMT
>>>The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to replacing a
>>>paper filter.
[quoted text clipped - 59 lines]
> regularly, then you could reasonably improve the intake track and retain
> the filtration that the engineers want.

In fact, I found the filtration of the stock filter to be not that good.
My intake was getting dirty and filter did not look like it was catching
much even after 20k.
So I have been oiling down the stock filter with this.
http://www.moto-man.com/cgi-bin/motoman/1761.html

It takes about 1/2-3/4 a can so soak the stock filter, but it does a bang
up job. My intake is very clean and the plugs last longer. After around
5k miles, the filter looks toast. It's heavy with dirt and bugs. At this
point the unoiled filter would look like new. I toss the old oiled filter
and oil up a new one. The aftermarket filters look
just like the OEM ones so I get whatever is cheaper.

It's the most expensive air filter setup at around $16 for new filter +
oil every 5k, but I live down a dirt road and I want my engine to last
400k.

For street use, the filter would not have to be changed so often.
TOM - 22 Oct 2005 21:12 GMT
>>>>The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to replacing a
>>>>paper filter.
[quoted text clipped - 78 lines]
>
> For street use, the filter would not have to be changed so often.

What about a foam wrap on your stock filter?

http://www.knfilters.com/airforcewraps.htm

http://www.unifilter.com/automotive.htm

Signature

Tom - Vista, CA

Josh - 23 Oct 2005 15:09 GMT
>>>>>The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to replacing a
>>>>>paper filter.
[quoted text clipped - 84 lines]
>
>http://www.unifilter.com/automotive.htm

That settles it... Thank you for allowing me to save my money.  So
glad I posed the question...  Pays to chime in to the group once in a
while.  

FYI. My use is strictly on road. Plenty of horsepower as it is, even
with cheap gas. All and all, I am very happy with the Tundra.  The
only complaint I have, and I knew about it going in, is the crappy
turning radius.
Thank you all,
josh
Eddie - 24 Oct 2005 04:19 GMT
>>>>>The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to replacing
>>>>>a paper filter.
[quoted text clipped - 84 lines]
>
> http://www.unifilter.com/automotive.htm

Not too sure on the K&N:
"They are made from large, open cell foam."

Why would you want large open cell foam? Maybe small bugs are getting
sucked past the normal K&N filter. :)

I would love a foam filter for my truck. UNI filters work great on my
quad.The problem is that nobody makes one for my truck.
TOM - 24 Oct 2005 14:15 GMT
>>>>>>The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to replacing
>>>>>>a paper filter.
[quoted text clipped - 93 lines]
> I would love a foam filter for my truck. UNI filters work great on my
> quad.The problem is that nobody makes one for my truck.

About 2/3 of the way down the page (link below) they list foam filter
wraps for automotive filters. Would something like that work?

http://www.unifilter.com/automotive.htm
Signature

Tom - Vista, CA

Eddie - 24 Oct 2005 19:50 GMT
>>>>>>>The ONLY reason to get a K&N is to reduce costs relative to
>>>>>>>replacing a paper filter.
[quoted text clipped - 100 lines]
>
> http://www.unifilter.com/automotive.htm

Maybe, but they don't show any photos of them, so I don't know.
And the wraps only look like a large hole single stage filter. I want the
two stage setup if I am going to go through the mess of cleaning and
oiling a filter every 5k.

Least with the stock one, it's spray on the oil, run the filter, then
toss when dirty.
L - 23 Oct 2005 06:00 GMT
IF the K&N lasts long enough to pay off ....

I have one and with all the oils and cleaners it doesnt look so cheap
anymore :(

K&N may be good for some top and HP and a little responsivness .. other
than that its a waste of money IMO.

I do run one though ...  
The best for filtration is a foam

Matt
Jeff Strickland - 23 Oct 2005 17:21 GMT
> IF the K&N lasts long enough to pay off ....
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Matt

My humble opinion on K&N filters is that the vast majority of us do not
operate the engine in the part of the power curve where the K&N really
provides its best stuff. Especially those of us that actually drive a truck.
The MR2 guys might live in the high RPM range where the K&N really shines,
but my casual observation is that truck motors seldom go there.

If one chooses to go with a K&N, they should only do it because in the very
long term, they might save a few bucks on filter replacements.
L - 23 Oct 2005 20:03 GMT
I agree ...

however good HP gains may be seen with older , large displacement
domestic motors ...

I got mine because back then i thought an oiled filter would be best in
dust ...

Also my filter has a "special" rubber gasket design that lasts only 1
year , then needing replacements .. so far KN has sent them for free
but I thnk that will cease in which case the whole filter will
instantly garbag .... savings over 10 yars will be aout the window..

Matt
Ken Shelton - 24 Oct 2005 15:49 GMT
> Has anyone had any experience with the K&N Filtercharger kits on a
> 2005 Tundra?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> K&N Product Information for 63-9027
> 63 Series Aircharger Kits
The thinking that some air filters can allow more air flow (except
at wide open throttle) is bogus.  The air flow is limited by the
throttle doing its job...limiting the air to the engine to give just
the amount of power you desire at that moment.  At wide open
throttle, yes, more air flow will help...if the aftermarket filter
really does allow more air flow, which is an open question.  In any
case, if you aren't floorboarded, the filter is not the limiting
factor to air flow...your right foot on the throttle pedal is the
limiting factor.

Ken
L - 24 Oct 2005 17:18 GMT
thats correct but take in mind it will help with responsiveness even if
not at WOT
Matt
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.