Air filter = better MPG ?

[sd550]

Has anyone tried an air filter upgrade such as a K&N, if so, did your mileage improve?

Thanks........sd550

[R.W.Dale]

  If you're replacing a really dirty air filter with a clean one then YES some limited improvemnt in economy can be had, But if you're expecting great wonders by replacing a clean air filter with an expensive clean air filter you're gonna be disappointed.

[Ahab]

  If you're replacing a really dirty air filter with a clean one then YES some limited improvemnt in economy can be had, But if you're expecting great wonders by replacing a clean air filter with an expensive clean air filter you're gonna be disappointed.

No better MPG, just more noise.

[Lloyd Smale]

i use them on all my trucks and cars. There might be a slight improvement in mpg and hp but youll never notice it in the real world. Whats nice though is once youve bought them youll never need to buy another filter. Just clean em and go.

[hardertr]

I have the K&N on both of my trucks.  My little GMC 1500 got an extra 2-3mpg boost (getting close to 20 on the highway now) and I almost swear it picked up a couple hp as well.

My big Ford 7.3 now has an all new K&N intake and filter.  Those engines are starved for air from stock.  I also got an extra 2-3 mpg boost, but the new intake gave me an extra 10-15 hp boost...so I actually like to put my foot into it more now.

Like Lloyd said, it is nice knowing I'll never have to buy another filter again. 

[joshco84]

the air filter itself is only good for one or maybe two horsepower.  but think of it this way (what dad always said)  more flow =larger holes in filter. larger holes in filter = bigger dirt particles getting through. does it hurt, not necasarily (i know that is spelled wrong) but it doesnt "help"either.

[R.W.Dale]

I monkeyd with K&N style filters on ATV's for years and have since come to the conclusion that I'd much rather replace a standard type filter than clean another washable filter.

[GatCat]

There is a fairly new bi-monthly magazine out called "Diesel Power". Naturally, they have lots of ads from different makers of aftermarket filters. In the current ( or maybe the prior) issue, they dyno tested 3 or 4 of the popular aftermarket filters on a Dodge Ram. NO difference in H.P. Like it was already mentioned, more noise though. WIth a "pumped-up" engine, ( injectors, exhaust, etc.), then maybe the intake might be the weak link. Also, they cautioned that aftermarket filters might not offer the filtration that stock units do, and cause more engine wear. ALso, the filter oil could cause problems with computor sensors. At least as far as Dodge goes, the engineers did a fine job.

[joshco84]

in reply to gat cats post as how dodge may be concerned ford actually offers a heavy duty/exceptionally dirty filter/intake combo which is actually supposed to better performing than the stock system and other aftermarkets.  this is just the tubes and filter, not the whole intake manny.  and also this is just what i have heard, and it was from the dealer so it could be complete bs but who knows

[Lloyd Smale]

dont buy into the dammage thing. If it were true why does my chevy dealer sell them right in there parts dept and put them on new trucks if you ask. They fitted my new silverado with a complete k&n system when it was new along with a borla exaust and because they did it the whole thing is covererd by the new truck warantee just like it was a stock part. Id think that if it caused problems they sure wouldnt do that.