i just get a new K&N filter for my car . it was $60 ,was that a good thing to do or should i of just got a short ram intake form rrm for $100 more?

 

Depends on the type of driving you do and your budget I guess. I still can't decide what I want to do, but I'm leaning towards a K&N drop-in filter because I live in CA and I can't stand to lose any throttle response or low-end torque because of the heat. The phenomenom that occurs with an SRI in warmer weather can be kinda like if you drive with the heater on and the windows down and you go from main street or freeway cruising speed to a stop. Once you stop, there's no more good airflow and the hot air stays in place. If I do end up with an SRI, the next question would be whether or not to make that custom heatshield/air ram thingie (https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=137092) because I fear not having the stock airbox for when I bring it into the dealership.

It's up to you and whether or not you're willing to risk some low-end pull/torque and throttle response when accelerating from a stop. I kinda want to have the sound of one, and not have to worry about loss of performance in any way heh. It's hard to tell which one is more preferred because people can't make up their minds... I've read reviews ranging from complete loss to kick-*** on the SRI. Determining factors would be driving style, climate, budget, and design of the product.

How's the K&N? If you decide to upgrade, let me know 'cause I'll probably be interested in taking the K&N off your hands.

 

I have had the K&N for 80,000kms now and it still works excellent. I am going to upgrade to SRI shortly ( I have debated this for such a long time.....) The ideal setup would be a " cool air " box, cold air is not really a year round friendly thing for me up here in edmonton, but honestly, I think the SRI with a custom heat shield and some air ducting is the way to go.....I will have to wait and see what I can do. For you, ( just my opinion ) I wouldnt get SRI due to the warmer climate ( as blackhawk RA was kinda explainin. ) I would get CAI if I were you..... PS.. I have tried this a few times, but if you are interested in a nice sound from your airbox, yank off the intake runner tube and it is kinda louder ( it doesn't add or take away any hp though.....wierd. I think RRM tested this a while back....) from about 3400rpm up it sounds so sweet!!! right around 4000rpm is the " G " spot though LOL!! So strange how 3 people from totally different places in north america are discussing this!!

 

Buy one of the used Injen intakes from the for sale thread up at the top of the page. Would cost you the same as a new SRI, and you'd have the option of putting the CAI extension on during the warmer months.

 

I had a K&N filter and I upgraded to an AEM SRI. The K&N for a 60 dollar upgrade works great, the AEM SRI uses the air inlet that goes to the air filter box so you are not sucking in hot air all of the time. You can always try to sell your K&N, it is the same filter used on evos, somebody might pick it up.

 

Cai > *

 

i live in texas and use a shortram with an full steel screen mesh filter. havnt noticed any problems with the hot air, but then again i run without a hood at the strip. if your worried about hot air in your engine bay, use a weapon r filter with their ram air kit.

 

Our stock intake does not take air from the engine compartment, but from under the hood. So wouldn't the drop in K&N be a better option in hot climates? I know CAI is the best option, but this, IMO, is second.

 

i dont consider the k&n to give any power increases i think the biggest thing with it is the fact that you never have to buy another filter. possibly 3 hp tops.

 

ya I agree with that 3-5hp is reasonable claim its only a panel filter.

 

Be sure the K&N is not covered in oil before you put it in. I recently had a K&N, I even wiped it down and got all trhe oil off before installing. Long story short I started having problems and threw about 3 cells related to the MAF sensor. I had to pull it out and clean it. Problems are gone now and I am running stock filter now!! I would only recomend a dry type filter!

 

I dunno man.. I have 80,000kms and I have ran my K&N since day one and I have never had one issue with that.....strange. last time I cleaned it, I made sure there was lots of oil too.

 

I have been using it on my last two cars (a suzuki swift gt and my r/a)w/o a problem and also checks for plenty of oil on it!

 

I have also ran them in every vehicle I have had for years and never had a problem. I didn'y even think this would be a problem with the type of MAS we have (compared to the hotwire type) but once it happened I found alot of other people having the same problem. Run a search on the forum and you will find a ton of people with the same problem and even some of the better known tuners here recomend not running oil type air filters. All I know is it F***ed up my car pretty good and had to spend and afternoon cleaning my MAF. Somehow my throttle position sensor F***ed up at the same time (I am not sure how it would have been related) but it was at the same time and that one I had to pull off some of my mods and take my car to the dealer to have it replaced. I asked them to replace my MAF but they wouldn't but every thing seems fine now that I have cleaned it and switched filters.

So go ahead and run the K&N if you want. Thousands of people do with no problem. Just wanted to give a warning that you are doing so at the risk of having the problem that myself and many of others have! run a search on the topic and decide for yourself!! (Personally I miss mine LOL)

 

BTW, to answer the original post, I would recomend just getting a drop in filter. I have read lots of reviews that suggest that the stock air box and a drop in panel filter works great and provides plenty of air. It seems that you can get a more consistent air flow with the box and with a shorty intake it seems to get a more turbulent reading for your car to decifer. I am considering getting a ram intake and building a box for the filter that would be fed by a duct coming from the grille on the drivers side of the FMIC. I have heard good things about that setup. Also, I would recomend getting a tune or flash if you change away from the stock air box! And as far as horespower gains with the K&N you will not notice any. However I do feel like the car breaths easier at high RPM but the biggest difference is idle and low speeds. I commute a long ways every day in stop and go freeway jams on I-5. I have noticed that I can start from a stop without using a clutch and drive at 5mpg without using the clutch since I installed the K&N, Now that I don't have it I have noticed that that ability has kinda gone away. Anyway, sorry about the long posts GOOD LUCK! hope this helps!