I just installed the K&N panel filter and have no other mods. Maybe it's my imagination, but the car seems to run a little smoother and doesn't seem to have as much kick when the turbo kicks in. I don't have any empirical data to support or refute this, just the way it feels. Anyone have input as to whether or not the air/fuel fixture could have changed that much? From what I've read, the HP should have increased slightly and I shouldn't need a retune unless a Typhoon or other intake was installed. Thanks in advance for any info, still new to this mod stuff.

 

Adding just a panel filter won't change the air/fuel ratio enough to matter, it at all. Put your OEM filter back in and take her for a spin again. Did you drive your car right before you put the K&N in, or did you drive it yesterday? The weather could play a role in the car feeling slower. You really didn't change anything, just bought a rechargable filter.

Did you oil the filter before installing it?

 

Hi,

A K&N panel was one of my first mods. Alone, it is worth maybe a few hp, SilverSurfer showed 3-5 in before and after dyno tests, but it pretty much wouldn't be that noticeable. I did notice that my car felt smoother as well. Also, my Forge recirc valve sound was more noticeable due to the less restrictive filter.

Way back when, there were posts that the Ralliart panel filter made the car extremely lean, but this wasn't as much of a problem with the K&N. If so, it wouldn't require any real ecu retuning, other than the leaning it already needs up top to get more power. Shiv I think was going to do some testing on the K&N, but I don't think the results ever got posted.

The first car I ever modded for perf was my 91 Sentra SE-R and I slapped in a K&N panel filter and some spark plug wires. Later, I spent a lot modding my Integra GSR the N/A route with cams, high compression pistons, etc. etc. The nice thing about the EVO, is you can do pretty simple mods and make a really noticeable difference, such as exhaust, mbc, and a/f tuning via ecu reflash or piggy-back (I'll keep a standalone out as a "simple" mod). The K&N isn't really a mod to get a lot of power, but at least you can clean it and re-use it.

One caveat, after a few months, I noticed that my MAF was quite dirty with oil, which appears to be from the K&N, so I ended up cleaning it. Make sure the K&N is not overoiled if you clean it, or even when you first install it. It can come overoiled, and I even wiped mine down before installing it the first time but still found buildup on the MAF. It looked like engine oil, which also lined the MAF pipe and is why I'm going to install a catch can, but per other members, the engine oil shouldn't have gone back up towards the MAF... I had a K&N in my A4 1.8T and it ruined a MAF sensor. The Karman sensors in the EVO are a little more robust than the hotwire variety though...

Take care,

FB

 

I have the K&N dropin filter. Try resetting the ECU by unplugging the battery for 10 minutes and then reconnect it. Start the car and let it idle for aboutr 5-10 minutes. The car will idle high at first, but it will eventually go down after a few minutes of idliing. Then, take it for a spin and see how it feels.

 

I felt my car smoother with more top end power and less punch when changing the gears.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, I really enjoy the information and knowledge on this forum, and the fact everyone is willing to share that with us newbies. To answer some other questions.. I did drive the car same day before and after filter was installed to get a comparison, I didn't oil the filter as it came pre-oiled, and i'm glad to see others have had similar experiences with the smoothness. Skiracer, I'll reset the ECU tomorrow and see if anything changes. Thanks again.