Down sides to k&n filters?

What are the disadvantages, if any, of a k&n air filter?

Any advantage?

My specific application is a 94 roadmaster with LT1.

I installed one yesterday.

Any advice appreciated. If it can harm the engine, I'll gladly replace with original paper filter.

I thought I noticed an increase in power, but it may just be my imagination.

 

I have exactl zero personal experience, but I do know that if there's too much oil on/in the filter element, it will contaminate the MAF sensor.

You might want to ask this on the GM Longroof forum or the ImpalaSS forum; LOTS of LT1 expertise over there.

 

I've had one in about every car owned since the '80's without any adverse effects, including a RSX Type S.
Only gained performance and mileage.
Probably sold 100+ while a manager at a TUFFY'S auto repair, w/o a complaint, too!

 

They allow more dirt in, more flow=less restriction=less filtering . If you don't believe me look it up. You're better off with a factory AC Delco filter, the flow difference is minimal and when they get dirty you throw them out and get a new one. K&N's actually allow more dirt in the dirtier they get. The initial costs and maintenance of a K&N aren't worth the benefits IMO. The engine can only take in a specific volume of air unless its modified and the air filters designed for them let more than enough air in for the engine to run fine through the filter even when they're dirty. If you want a real HP increase go with the cold air intake mod.

 

Like everyone else I believed all brands of performance filters would help. But the above is something I can also believe. Thanks Vista.
I believe over the years many of us have gotten into the "follow the sheep" rut. Think about all of the mufflers, spark plugs, and other parts we had to have because Uncle Joe said his helped!
In truth my son talked me into an air induction system with a K&N copy cone. Personally it seems peppier and sounds KOOL. Now a kool sounding Hemi in a big quadcab truck is important.
But truthfully Mr. Chrysler probably had it right the first time.

 

I run K&N on all my cars, truck, motorcycles. You can look at the filters and see they flow more air, that's a giv'in. Where they shine are that they pay for themselves. Instead of buying a new one when they get dirty, you just take it out, clean it, oil it(NOT TOO MUCH OIL)and you're back to having a brand new "free flowing" filter. Win-win. I think the problem with them are not knowing how to clean and oil. Buy the cleaning/oil kit, but use the spray oil, its better. When it gets dirty, clean it and let it dry "completely". Once dry, spray on the oil(DON'T SOAK)just a light mist, but cover the whole filter. Again, let the filter sit to absorb the oil(about a half hour)done. It shouldn't be oily when you re-install, if it is, you used too much oil.

 

Was at a cruise night last month and this came up as I was standing looking at a Chevy Trailblazer with a built LS engine. This guy had the hot cam and LS6 heads, all the good stuff they do to the LS powered cars but had a factory airbox and filter. This thing was making over 500hp @ wheels with the dyno sheets and pictures of this thing on the dyno. Someone asked "why have cam, heads, long tube headers etc. and not upgrade to a K&N cold air intake?" He said," I did, it made better numbers with factory box and filter."

 

it made better numbers with factory box and filter."

We've been led to believe too many things when a lot of planning by the automakers has them already figured out. I question why Chrysler would spend so much on those plastic boxes, hoses, and other garbage if a simple piece of sewer pipe was better. :confused:

 

Most of the modern factory air boxes are designed to suppress noise.

BTW, I've run K&N filters on my GNs for over two decades with no adverse affects or ruined MAFs. I stuck one on the OCC only because I hated the factory setup.

 

A friend of mine had a 2007 Tahoe, and he also went back to the factory intake and filter box as it flowed better than the aftermarket pieces. The MUFFLER, though, is where there was performance and economy to be found.

 

I run them on all my stuff. 86 Monte Carlo SS has almost a quarter million miles on it with the original K&N I put on it when new. 01 Tahoe has almost 200K on it with the original filter. Don't know about letting too much dirt in, seems if that were the case, I'd be having trouble by now. I'd rather clean them than throw them away, but that's just me.
Bill

 

For most of the year, when I don't need the heated air for warm-up, I just flip my air cleaner lid over. It gives 360 degree air intake instead of pulling it thru the snorkel. Makes a neat sound when you punch it too. A low tech performance enhancer that's good enough for who it's for. :2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

For many years on the 55 Chevy wagon, 350, I used two 4" filters stacked. Maybe Fel Pro. They had orange trim. Added a purdy red foam 1/4" outer cover.

 

Can you elaborate on the muffler thing? What would be a good alternative to the stock exhaust system I've got on my RMW (LT1).

 

I use to have a wagon like yours RoadmasterWB4, but mine was the chevy caprice wagon. Sounds like you did the "drop in" K&N air filter. Again, I'll say that was a good choice. The car club I'm in all have after market filters(K&N or WIX), and none have stock air boxes(to each his own). With that you have a LOT of choices. I had the RAISS ram air kit on mine. You can use the same stuff that goes on the Impala SS.
As far as exhaust goes, you can go all out with headers, x-pipe, 2 1/2 inch pipe all the way out(which I also had) or you can do a cat-back, or even just mufflers. It's your baby, go with it! Pretty much anything you do to get more air in and push more air out will give you an increase in performance. Good luck!