Air filter question paper vs. K&N...
#1
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My car currently has the factory lid, but an aftermarket K&N air filter. I plan on stepping up to a SLP whisper lid soon. Should I keep the K&N and use it in the new lid? Or will this actually hurt my HP, and would I be better off power wise to get a stock paper one to go in the new lid?
#4
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
This is what I figured as well. However earlier when I posted questions in the newbie section, several chimed in that they actaully saw HP losses when swapping the paper filter to the K&N?! And furthermore that they all said to stay with the paper air filter.
With this kind of back and forth info, its hard for someone trying to learn the facts here.
With this kind of back and forth info, its hard for someone trying to learn the facts here.
![Sad](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_sad.gif)
#6
12 Second Club
iTrader: (49)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Intense
K&N is better by far. The paper ones you have to keep replacing.. and K&N you never have to change.. Ya there a little more but very much worth it
Trending Topics
#8
((((((Administrator))))))
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
K&N flows more, less of a filter there, hence the gasket.
I hose mine down with oil on both sides where it is dripping all over the place, just slapped it in my T/A last week and no problems.
Peace,
Craig.
I hose mine down with oil on both sides where it is dripping all over the place, just slapped it in my T/A last week and no problems.
Peace,
Craig.
#9
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southampton, MA
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The paper ones I got fit like crap, I was always wondering if I was letting unfiltered air through. Sometimes the fins in the paper ones would get bunched up, I'm betting that wasn't giving me extra HP. I'd stick with the K&N, even if you were losing power, I don't think you could accurately account for it on a dyno (way too small a number), so IMHO whoever told you that is full of Bolgna. As people said, don't over lube it.
#11
On The Tree
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ks
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My car came with a K&N so I kept it. Personally I'd never spend that money on an air filter but thats just in general(I'm a tight-*** on some things). Actually, if you do the math, long term, the K&N filter cost more.
I'll just use typical AutoZone prices right off their website.
The K&N Filter is $65 plus tax. The typical paper is a little over $7. That alone is 9 paper filters to one K&N. Not to mention, the K&N needs to be cleaned say every 15k which you might as well add another say $15 per kit to to the list. The cleaning kit generally only last 3 times in my experience although I'm pretty thorough. In 9 filters that would add 3 cleaning kits at $45 on top of the $65.
K&N=$110
compared to 9 paper at
$65
Not trying to start anything. I know nothing about fitment of the two. With all that being said I'm happy with my K&N and will continue to use it. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Kyle
I'll just use typical AutoZone prices right off their website.
The K&N Filter is $65 plus tax. The typical paper is a little over $7. That alone is 9 paper filters to one K&N. Not to mention, the K&N needs to be cleaned say every 15k which you might as well add another say $15 per kit to to the list. The cleaning kit generally only last 3 times in my experience although I'm pretty thorough. In 9 filters that would add 3 cleaning kits at $45 on top of the $65.
K&N=$110
compared to 9 paper at
$65
Not trying to start anything. I know nothing about fitment of the two. With all that being said I'm happy with my K&N and will continue to use it. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Kyle
#14
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Pizza King
My car came with a K&N so I kept it. Personally I'd never spend that money on an air filter but thats just in general(I'm a tight-*** on some things). Actually, if you do the math, long term, the K&N filter cost more.
I'll just use typical AutoZone prices right off their website.
The K&N Filter is $65 plus tax. The typical paper is a little over $7. That alone is 9 paper filters to one K&N. Not to mention, the K&N needs to be cleaned say every 15k which you might as well add another say $15 per kit to to the list. The cleaning kit generally only last 3 times in my experience although I'm pretty thorough. In 9 filters that would add 3 cleaning kits at $45 on top of the $65.
K&N=$110
compared to 9 paper at
$65
Not trying to start anything. I know nothing about fitment of the two. With all that being said I'm happy with my K&N and will continue to use it. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Kyle
I'll just use typical AutoZone prices right off their website.
The K&N Filter is $65 plus tax. The typical paper is a little over $7. That alone is 9 paper filters to one K&N. Not to mention, the K&N needs to be cleaned say every 15k which you might as well add another say $15 per kit to to the list. The cleaning kit generally only last 3 times in my experience although I'm pretty thorough. In 9 filters that would add 3 cleaning kits at $45 on top of the $65.
K&N=$110
compared to 9 paper at
$65
Not trying to start anything. I know nothing about fitment of the two. With all that being said I'm happy with my K&N and will continue to use it. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Kyle
![The Judge](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_judge.gif)
Its your choice.. But i will say 95% of people will go with a K&N or other top brand over a paper one
#15
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Here's the thread in which people were reccomending the paper filter over the K&N>
https://ls1tech.com/forums/new-ls1-owners-newbie-tech/673322-whisper-lid-question.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/new-ls1-owners-newbie-tech/673322-whisper-lid-question.html
#16
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Greater Chattanooga
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have a wix but used it for a while, then got a K&N and now use a holley becuase it fits better.
I think most people used one without issues. I have a lt1 with 165k on it K&N and never no issues.
I think most people used one without issues. I have a lt1 with 165k on it K&N and never no issues.
#17
TECH Fanatic
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Just This Side of Damnation
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I had a pretty good oil analysis with a K&N air filter. It kept the dirt out well enough.
I tossed it, however, and have gone back to the paper type. I'm not racing for money, I don't have to squeeze out every last particle of horsepower, and I had run out of cleaner/oil and didn't feel like keeping it up.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other...
I tossed it, however, and have gone back to the paper type. I'm not racing for money, I don't have to squeeze out every last particle of horsepower, and I had run out of cleaner/oil and didn't feel like keeping it up.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other...
#18
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech20year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Oil that leaves the filter will over time crust up the
MAF. This drifts the tune and can bother automatic
trans shifting as well as A/F mixture. Using the bare
minimum is better. If you go this way you should be
cleaning the MAF with a spray electrical cleaner
as part of the maintenance drill.
I measured air filter pressure drops one time long ago
(no K&N) and the drops were less than half, most 1/3
- 1/4 of what a stock lid or MAF screen cost you. Not
a big gain. The K&N promo "test data" just happen to
embed a stock : aftermarket lid in the setup to their
favor (see fine print).
The economic argument may look good on paper but
I'd rather spend $5 every 6 months than front the
$50.
MAF. This drifts the tune and can bother automatic
trans shifting as well as A/F mixture. Using the bare
minimum is better. If you go this way you should be
cleaning the MAF with a spray electrical cleaner
as part of the maintenance drill.
I measured air filter pressure drops one time long ago
(no K&N) and the drops were less than half, most 1/3
- 1/4 of what a stock lid or MAF screen cost you. Not
a big gain. The K&N promo "test data" just happen to
embed a stock : aftermarket lid in the setup to their
favor (see fine print).
The economic argument may look good on paper but
I'd rather spend $5 every 6 months than front the
$50.
#19
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The K&N should actually filter better than the paper one. Just because it isn't as restrictive flow wise doesn't mean it doesn't filter better. Also, K&N reccomends cleaning their filter on average at 50,000 miles (not 15,000). Not to mention their air filters come with 1,000,000 mile warrenties, try to find a paper one or another brand that does that. Even with the cleaning kit, I would expect someone to save money over the paper ones by going with the K&N.
All this is needless for me though, because I really just want what will perform the best in my car. It sounds like the K&N even though it won't gain much over the paper one, will still gain some, and that is good enough for me.
All this is needless for me though, because I really just want what will perform the best in my car. It sounds like the K&N even though it won't gain much over the paper one, will still gain some, and that is good enough for me.