KNN Drop-In Air Filter Updates

Jerrygfd · 11-18-2004, 07:53 PM

How is the mileage going on those who just installed the KNN drop in. I asked my Nissan dealer about them and they didn't recommend installing them because of MAF issues. I used mine for two months and overall average 15.8-16.2 miles per gallon after 3700 miles of use. I reinstalled the OEM filter back and average right now around 15.9 miles per gallon after 800 miles of use, worst mileage so far 14.6. I really don't see much difference unless you really go for modifying the airbox or go with a Banks exhaust or similar. I see an increase in horse power but not in mileage.

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keiffers · 11-18-2004, 07:58 PM

I haven't noticed any real big difference with the use of just the drop-in filter. Infact I recall seeing a thread here that talked about there not being any type of increase in mileage if you use the K&N air filter. I think though what your dealer meant about not recommending them, is not the drop in air filter, but rather the K&N intake. There are a few threads around here that talk about problems encountered after installing it and then they remove it and their Titan runs fine. My milage is city driving anyway, so it's probably not gonna be all that good (12.1 this last fill-up)

**CaliforniaTitan** · 11-18-2004, 10:01 PM

We had the drop in in the old '04....didn't notice any significant gain either.

Chris

DStewart · 11-18-2004, 11:29 PM

It seems like the factory box and filter design flows well enough. When I hit the gas at idle, you can really hear it suck air as if it had an intake already.

honeykeeper · 11-19-2004, 04:58 AM

I bought the K&N but did not install it....as I haven't changed the exhaust yet and don't intend on that as I like the sound just fine with the stock exhaust. For now every month I rotate the stock filter 180° to distribute the debris to the entire filter more evenly.

raskm · 11-19-2004, 06:59 AM

Don't waste your money...I had one and took it out....Waste of money. Zero power increase and ZERO MPG... The only thing your getting is more dirt in your engine and a dirty MAF....Stick with the stock and no headaches...

honeykeeper · 11-19-2004, 08:26 PM

and rotate it 180° every month!!!

Brian mc · 12-04-2004, 03:55 PM

i went with frames air hog and mod the box i can tell better gas if i can keep my foot out of it

Armada · 12-04-2004, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raskm

Don't waste your money...I had one and took it out....Waste of money. Zero power increase and ZERO MPG... The only thing your getting is more dirt in your engine and a dirty MAF....Stick with the stock and no headaches...

I've used K&N's for many, many years. One sits atop the Weber 2bbl on the Clifford manifold on my 258 inline 6 in my '77 CJ-5. That thing has 36 inch SuperSwampers and goes into and out of some really bad places. The filter has been in service for over 10 years. I clean and reoil it about every two to three years. The oil in that engine stays clean. The engine is original and has never had the internals touched.

I put a K&N drop-in in the airbox in my then new '97 Expedition 4x4. Same cleaning cycle. 107,000 clean oil and trouble free miles later, I sold the Expy for the Armada I now drive. A K&N drop in went in right away.

Now, does the drop in produce better mileage. No, not in my opinion. Does it produce more horsepower. That is debatable. If it does, it's probably not more than 1 or 2 and not really performance enhancing.

I think they are worth the modest cost because they perform very well in high dust, high dirt environments, are cleanable and reusable. They may not flow more air when clean than a good paper filter. The flow way better in dirty, dusty, muddy environments. That's why they are so popular in off-road racing, IMHO.

drags1998 · 12-04-2004, 05:21 PM

Really dont want sound like a smart a-- but, there is NO power increase OR Fuel mileage increase in ANY AIR FILTER!!!!!!!!! Even if you do the air-box mod!!!!! Been there- DONE THAT!!!!! The ONLY thing you get is a LOT OF INTAKE NOISE!!!!!!! Mines back to STOCK, and it runs better,and the fuel mileage is back UP to 15.3MPG from 14.8 with the MODS.and a K&N Filter!!!!

Armada · 12-04-2004, 08:14 PM

I have a sound level meter (cheap at RadioShack). I did the airbox mod. It did not increase noise level in my Armada, even at WOT. Maybe I have more soundproofing in the cabin? I also checked the sound level using the factory paper air filter and the K&N drop in. No difference.

Now, what was LOUD and a big disappointment was the K&N AirCharger. That's the cone filter that totally replaces the airbox. It did probably produce a few horses, although I could not tell a statistically significant difference using a G-Tec Pro to measure 0-60, 1/8 and 1/4 mile times. It might have given me a whole .10 reduction in 1/4 mile times, but that was in the range of driving error. But it was VERY LOUD. Too loud for me, so I went back to the drop-in, and am very happy.

A performance intake does not produce more power in most instances unless you increase flow significantly on the exhaust side. That usually means a good free-flowing cat back system, and usually a good set of headers. I'm not sure any long headers are out yet (Nismo is supposed to have some soon - the ones used on the 2nd place stock truck entry Titan in the SCORE Baja 1000), and shorty headers are usually disappointing.

There are some experts here in performance mods who have the best setups in exhaust and intake. They know what they are talking about, but I doubt any of them would say that changes in drop-in filters produce significantly better gas mileage or increase horsepower. Nor do I believe a good drop-in like K&N would decrease mileage or performance. The advantage, to me, is in dusty, dirty, muddy off-road stuff.

titanwild · 12-04-2004, 10:34 PM

Started with the stock filter for about 2000 miles, ran the K&N drop-in filter for about 4000 miles, then switched back to the stock paper filter for the last 2000 or so as an experiment, could tell NO difference in mileage either way. Performance? Couldn't tell any difference there either.
My Titan gets very consistent mileage (15 commute, 17.5 highway), so I'm convinced that the filter just doesn't contribute much. My foot makes a BIG difference, but what FUN!!

aznsupra · 12-05-2004, 12:04 AM

Not to sound like an ***, but you guys claiming that the kn gives more power need to put the crackpipe down. There is no way you can feel 1 maybe 2 if your lucky hp gains. this crap about "i can really feel it when step on it" is complete bullsh!t. You guys want to prove me wrong then go to a dyno and shut me up. Otherwise quite telling ppl how this is a great mod without anything to back your claims. This filter doesnt flow any better than stock, and it doesnt filter any better than stock PERIOD!

Brons2 · 12-05-2004, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keiffers

I haven't noticed any real big difference with the use of just the drop-in filter. Infact I recall seeing a thread here that talked about there not being any type of increase in mileage if you use the K&N air filter. I think though what your dealer meant about not recommending them, is not the drop in air filter, but rather the K&N intake. There are a few threads around here that talk about problems encountered after installing it and then they remove it and their Titan runs fine. My milage is city driving anyway, so it's probably not gonna be all that good (12.1 this last fill-up)

The K&N:

Causes high silicon in oil analysis unless it's set up pefectly. This is reason alone not to use it. The silicon causes upper piston wear over time if not checked.

Fouls MAF, again unless set up perfectly. Most people put too much of the spray on and that's what fouls the MAF.

In a stock engine, does not provide noticeably better airflow.

Brons2 · 12-05-2004, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armada

I've used K&N's for many, many years. One sits atop the Weber 2bbl on the Clifford manifold on my 258 inline 6 in my '77 CJ-5. That thing has 36 inch SuperSwampers and goes into and out of some really bad places. The filter has been in service for over 10 years. I clean and reoil it about every two to three years. The oil in that engine stays clean. The engine is original and has never had the internals touched.

I put a K&N drop-in in the airbox in my then new '97 Expedition 4x4. Same cleaning cycle. 107,000 clean oil and trouble free miles later, I sold the Expy for the Armada I now drive. A K&N drop in went in right away.

Unless you did oil analysis, you can't really claim clean oil as the silicon cannot be seen.