Aftermarket air intakes.

[N80]

What do you guys think about these aftermarket air intake systems for trucks and cars? K&N advertises them heavily but there are lots of manufacturers. They make widely varying claims about horsepower gains.

I'm skeptical and the things are quite expensive. My gut feeling is that they are mostly for show and feed that 'bolt-on' mod insanity that most of us have probably fallen for before.

Any true believers? Would you spend $300 for 8 hp?

 

[kenmac]

There is alot of discussions on this subject on the diesel forums. In short. if the filter allows more air into the engine, it will also allow more particles dust, dirt etc, to enter the engine as it will not be as restrictive as one of the filters from the factory designed for that engine

 

[tractorsanmore]

My opinion is for a ( race car or such in a clean enviroment ) they will give you a little more hp and most people who race want as much power as they can get .
For a daily driver ( vehicle ) I would not use one .... too much dirt can pass through them and most people will notice little if any difference in power .

 

[Willl]

On my 02 Dodge Ram, my bolt-on air and exhaust mods increased my fuel mileage by a full 2 mpg.

The HP increase was just a bonus.

 

[N80]

kenmac, I was talking about the bolt on intake systems, not just a freer flowing filter. I can see how if two filters were the same size the freer one might allow more dirt through but these bolt on systems have much bigger filters so part of the improved flow is from larger surface area.

However, I'm leaning away from doing this. For the specific car I have in mind I've been told that the factory dual intake is as good or better than the aftermarket ones.

Thanks guys.

 

[WH401]

Kenmac said it best, most of the aftermarket intakes available allow more air in, (even though they have more surface area), at the cost of filtration. The majority of the aftermarket filters use an oil on the media to compensate for the lack of filtration. The problem with the oil is, 1. you have to put it on the filter in the first place; 2. if you don't get just the right amount on there then you'll get particles of dust or dirt in the engine, or you'll get oil in the intake which will fowl sensors and cause issues. The power claims that manufacturers have are inflated most of the time too. They may say you'll gain 8 h.p, but that's not every car, (maybe not even any car), and nor is it at normal driving RPMs. So in short, no, aftermarket intakes aren't worth it. The stock box's filter more then adequately and move more then enough air for the engine.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I tried a couple of oil type filters when I had my Dodge. All I can say is that I have enough things to work on without that too. That is why I went with and stayed with a "BHAF" on that application.

 

[Willl]

Maybe it was all in the exhaust mod. Did both the same weekend.

 

[N80]

Willl, I'd guess that doing both would make a bigger difference. The car in question (Infiniti G35) has great exhaust and apparently a pretty free flowing dual intake system so I think I'm going to save my money.

Might mod the exhaust on my F150 when the time comes....the muffler is starting to look pretty rusty and holy.

 

[kenmac]

I owned a drag car once. Usually, if you make 1 mod you also have to make another. If you allow more air , fuel, etc, in the engine you need to get the exhaust out. May need larger cam, exhaust valves ,ported heads,etc,etc, It never seems to end, That's why I sold out a few yrs ago