K&N Air Charger & Resetting the computer

BigPete · 07-07-2004, 04:17 PM

I install the K&N Air Charger last night. It took about 75 minutes from hood up to hood down. I think it would take about 25 minutes if I had to do it again. Anyway, the negative terminal was disconnected the entire time. When it was hooked back up, everything was fine.

The first thing I noticed is how strong the motor sucks air into the intake. There is no noticeable difference when driving under normal load conditions, meaning less then 1/4 throttle. The more throttle you give the louder the deep bellow of a well tuned motor is heard. I definitely feel that throttle response has improved and will not be able to tell about the mileage factor until I stop making those FORD guys turn their heads when they hear the acceleration.

The rated 20 HP gains I do not find credible. If a manufacture told you that by putting a Billet dip stick in your motor that it will give you better performance and a few guys agreed, I think some would fall amongst the placebo group. I would believe that an Air Intake / Exhaust combo might yield that amount of gain but by giving more on one end with out compensating the other end no more then a few ponies will be gained.

About resetting the computer. I have read that guys that are doing “mods” are "resetting" the computer and I've read (on here only) that the computer is self adjusting or is able to "learn" If the computer is able to compensate for variations in the amount of air intake or exhaust back pressure what is the need to "reset" the computer. I did not reset the computer after installing the K&N Air Charger and would not expect for the motor to run any different if I did. I am not trying to dispel any truth but rather looking for some input on this subject.

Big Platinum · 07-07-2004, 05:00 PM

According to Nissan, the computer takes about 200 mile to fully adjust. If you reset it overnight, it will learn faster.

Sammy Sandbag · 07-07-2004, 05:33 PM

True the computer will learn without being reset, but from my understanding, forcing it to do so will start over from the factory "safe" presets and learn from there. So in effect it should learn faster.

Big Platinum · 07-07-2004, 05:53 PM

Yeah, when you reset it, you start over from safe mode and learn all new settings. If you don't, it slowly changes the settings over from the ones it had already established. Personally, I like to reset it and start fresh.

BigPete · 07-08-2004, 07:50 PM

I spoke with a Nissan dealer today about the computer issue. He states that since the computer is continually checking all conditions continiously there for there is no need to "reset" the unit. About the 200 miles to fully adjust to the current conditions, he said that was from the 80's and doesnt apply to the Titan.

Big Platinum · 07-08-2004, 08:50 PM

Agreed there is no need, if you're not sure, just don't reset it. And at least then you don't have to reprogram your radio stations.

skyhammer · 07-09-2004, 06:41 AM

Big Pete; Do a search for dyno results of K&N air charger. Steve04se had his truck on a dyno and gained 20 hp.

dandy · 07-09-2004, 06:18 PM

First off I'm not a nissan expert, but I think most of the sequential injection systems work the same. There are 2 modes of operation 1-closed loop where the comuter can self optimize. 2-open loop or wide open. Open loop programming runs off a set of predetermined tables that can't adjust. This is why cai's work they lean out the upper rpm's from the factorys built in rich/safe table. Closed loop can adjust to part throttle/ load conditions. Think of it this way, a scale of +10 to -10 or a spread of 20. The ecu wants to be at a perfect condition or 0. Now, say you add a cai. The ecu wants a 0 but it's now a lean -4 so after a reset and some time it will richen up to a 0 again. You enjoy the new found power. Also a fault code or check engine light will turn on at a +11 or -11. This is simplistic I know but it's how it works in my mind.