Strange problem with Air Filter K&N/Stock on Alto

anupmathur · 3rd November 2008, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by anantnehru

Ok, stupid question - but if theres no gain in performance, however little; what are the other advantages of having a K&N air filter?

You want my frank opinion?
There's something called the 'feel-good' factor!
There is another equally valid something called a 'topic of conversation'!
There are some people who love to tinker. Things must go a little wrong sometimes to demand their attention and time! Perhaps some money as well. These aftermarket fittings will satisfy some or all of such 'needs'!

Finally, YOU decide what you are fitting one for! It's certainly not for a long term troublefree relationship with your machine!

redfire · 3rd November 2008, 15:50

Amit,
The cleaning interval they claim is no good for our country. In many part of Europe you can run it with just a bell mouth and no filter. But in India a cleaning is needed every 5K bare minimum. I do clean my Green Wind kit every 4-5K and can see lotsa dust/black particles by that time. Performance - yes I feel the performance is marginally increased. She revs a little better, and the low end is improved a little bit too.

ravibhat · 3rd November 2008, 17:00

I suggest clean once in 5000km for our dusty road condition, I did the samething for my Innova K&N Stock Filter.

Regards,

Ravi.

anantnehru · 3rd November 2008, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

You want my frank opinion?
There's something called the 'feel-good' factor!
There is another equally valid something called a 'topic of conversation'!
There are some people who love to tinker. Things must go a little wrong sometimes to demand their attention and time! Perhaps some money as well. These aftermarket fittings will satisfy some or all of such 'needs'!

Finally, YOU decide what you are fitting one for! It's certainly not for a long term troublefree relationship with your machine!

Ouch! Harsh opinion. Lol. Dont think you would have made too many K&N users too happy with THAT!!
Hmm..but ok, guessing what you say is true. But always wanted one, for what reason I dont know, guess its a need! Lol. Will have to think about it though, didnt know about the effects on the engine. Thought it was meant to be better than the stock filter.

Vid6639 · 7th November 2008, 10:41

Anupji, I would have to disagree with that. Both my car's the Lancer and the Alto have the K&N stock filter.

I can vouch for the fact that the filter does not make any difference in performance. Even if it does it is just too marginal to notice.

However what it does make a difference to is driveability. I require fewer gear shifts and am able to potter around in a higher gear without the engine stuttering compared to the OE filter.

The filter does need to be cleaned every 5000-6000kms on the safe side else the performance drop when it's dirty is very prominent.

It's not just the feel good factor of spending so much and expecting some return. Incidentally that theory went out the window when the service guys removed my K&N and replaced it with a new OE filter. I realised that something was amiss and the car was not as driveable as earlier. Popped the hood and noticed that the K&N was removed and put in the boot and a new OE plonked in. Ofcourse I know the car inside out and am extremely finicky. Others may not know/feel the difference.

GTO · 7th November 2008, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by anantnehru

Ok, stupid question - but if theres no gain in performance, however little; what are the other advantages of having a K&N air filter?

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

You want my frank opinion?
There's something called the 'feel-good' factor!
There is another equally valid something called a 'topic of conversation'!
There are some people who love to tinker. Things must go a little wrong sometimes to demand their attention and time! Perhaps some money as well. These aftermarket fittings will satisfy some or all of such 'needs'!

LOL Anup! Okay, I gotta admit....as an owner of a car that's running K&N : There is NO noticeable difference in performance. Heck, I don't even know if the K&N makes any difference at all. And if it does, the increment is too marginal to notice.

Stock replacement filters = no difference at all. Conical filters = Slight advantage ONLY if the plumbing makes it a proper CAI. On the flip side, a conical (open air) gets dirty way more often than a stock layout. And one has to take a lot of car in the monsoons.

Why I fitted it? You gotta hear the intake sound @ 7,100 rpms.

anantnehru · 7th November 2008, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Why I fitted it? You gotta hear the intake sound @ 7,100 rpms.

So, K&Ns not really going to help FE is it?

But am still considering it. You have a conical filter or a normal replacement?

GTO · 7th November 2008, 18:17

Conical running in my Vtec.

Jaggu · 7th November 2008, 20:14

Replacement filter running in my old carb 96 esteem, used to give slightly free revving engine, about a km more mileage and fuel smell (similar to flooding) inside the car

and yeah they also change the intake sound.

ghostrider · 7th November 2008, 23:57

Conical running on my Ikon.

FE hasn't increased noticeably. I wouldn't even say that the top whack or even the out-and-out acceleration have increased... but somehow the car seems a little more relaxed, a little less restrained when she's moving. What it has done is make the car seem a little more 'free' and 'open'. I've noticed the same thing in a friend's car when he switched to Mobil1, by the way.

Also, I don't need to rev it to 7100rpm, I can hear the rasp of the filter when I hit 4000. And frankly, unlike the GTO's Vtec, I don't think the Ford Ikon's 1.6L powerplant is free-revving enough to hit 7100. (Still a peach of an engine, though.

)

sumeethaldankar · 18th November 2008, 23:33

Hi K&N lovers (i am one of them)
here's a link which might make you think twice about your K&N

Problems with K&N Air Filter<title>Let it Breath - 3

I have taken my K&N off for a while, gone back to stock however i may go in for a precharger (filter wrap) and get the K&N back in action.

I really miss the intake sound of the engine.

sumeethaldankar · 18th November 2008, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Replacement filter running in my old carb 96 esteem, used to give slightly free revving engine, about a km more mileage and fuel smell (similar to flooding) inside the car

and yeah they also change the intake sound.

Hi,
even i expericed the same problem when with the K&N.Used to give a lot smell of fuel.

3rd November 2008, 15:50	#62
redfire BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 448 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Amit, The cleaning interval they claim is no good for our country. In many part of Europe you can run it with just a bell mouth and no filter. But in India a cleaning is needed every 5K bare minimum. I do clean my Green Wind kit every 4-5K and can see lotsa dust/black particles by that time. Performance - yes I feel the performance is marginally increased. She revs a little better, and the low end is improved a little bit too.
	() Thanks

3rd November 2008, 17:00	#63
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,250 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	I suggest clean once in 5000km for our dusty road condition, I did the samething for my Innova K&N Stock Filter. Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 10:41	#65
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,690 Thanked: 44,148 Times View My Garage	Anupji, I would have to disagree with that. Both my car's the Lancer and the Alto have the K&N stock filter. I can vouch for the fact that the filter does not make any difference in performance. Even if it does it is just too marginal to notice. However what it does make a difference to is driveability. I require fewer gear shifts and am able to potter around in a higher gear without the engine stuttering compared to the OE filter. The filter does need to be cleaned every 5000-6000kms on the safe side else the performance drop when it's dirty is very prominent. It's not just the feel good factor of spending so much and expecting some return. Incidentally that theory went out the window when the service guys removed my K&N and replaced it with a new OE filter. I realised that something was amiss and the car was not as driveable as earlier. Popped the hood and noticed that the K&N was removed and put in the boot and a new OE plonked in. Ofcourse I know the car inside out and am extremely finicky. Others may not know/feel the difference.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 18:17	#68
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,772 Thanked: 322,307 Times View My Garage	Conical running in my Vtec.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 20:14	#69
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,369 Thanked: 17,299 Times	Replacement filter running in my old carb 96 esteem, used to give slightly free revving engine, about a km more mileage and fuel smell (similar to flooding) inside the car and yeah they also change the intake sound.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 23:57	#70
ghostrider BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 745 Thanked: 506 Times View My Garage	Conical running on my Ikon. FE hasn't increased noticeably. I wouldn't even say that the top whack or even the out-and-out acceleration have increased... but somehow the car seems a little more relaxed, a little less restrained when she's moving. What it has done is make the car seem a little more 'free' and 'open'. I've noticed the same thing in a friend's car when he switched to Mobil1, by the way. Also, I don't need to rev it to 7100rpm, I can hear the rasp of the filter when I hit 4000. And frankly, unlike the GTO's Vtec, I don't think the Ford Ikon's 1.6L powerplant is free-revving enough to hit 7100. (Still a peach of an engine, though. ) Last edited by ghostrider : 8th November 2008 at 00:04.
	() Thanks

18th November 2008, 23:33	#71
sumeethaldankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,148 Thanked: 3,676 Times View My Garage	Hi K&N lovers (i am one of them) here's a link which might make you think twice about your K&N Problems with K&N Air Filter<title>Let it Breath - 3 I have taken my K&N off for a while, gone back to stock however i may go in for a precharger (filter wrap) and get the K&N back in action. I really miss the intake sound of the engine.
	() Thanks