Air Box Mod Question & Stock Air Filter vs. K & N Filter?

[old new biker]

I have seen the stock air box mod to change the stock filter to a K & N, that Breeze did awhile back.

QUESTION: What makes a K & N filter better that the stock filter, given that they get all the air that they need?

He cut a big hole in the bottom of the air box cover and put sanding scree over it.

QUESTION: Would it do just as much good to just cut out the existing intake hole to a much larger size? It seems that it would be more protected, as it would be on the back (inside) of the box.

[digitalbroccoli]

it'll do essentially the same thing. It doesn't really matter how you increase the air flow to the filter.

I know the K+N is a hassle, as they don't make a drop in, but its still more cost effective than a 300 dollar intake setup. (although I loooooove the way my hypercharger looks)

[old new biker]

Originally Posted by digitalbroccoli

it'll do essentially the same thing. It doesn't really matter how you increase the air flow to the filter.

I know the K+N is a hassle, as they don't make a drop in, but its still more cost effective than a 300 dollar intake setup. (although I loooooove the way my hypercharger looks)

Hay there Digi,

My question is regarding the difference between the actual stock filter elemement and the K & N filter element.

The K & N mod that Breeze did to the stock air box, indicates that there is a real reason to go to the trouble of making the k & N fit where the stock element already does.

What is better about the K & N filter element?

[JohnnyFriend]

the K&N is better flowing than stock (more air = more power)
the K&N is also washable so you never have to buy another $80 stock filter again

See my pic below--expensive but worth it

[Slider]

I'm kinda torn with K&N....I had one in my Explorer and the oil from the filter was fouling my mass air flow sensor. I actually ended up getting worse gas mileage. Anyone else had problems like that?

[05HDRAM]

If your sensors were getting oily, the filter had too much in it. I ram one on a '99 Ram pickup for 6 years without any issues, just regular clean and reoil. It is easy to over oil cause you think you didn't cover the whole filter.

[Nico]

I used to run an Amsoil filter in my Tacoma until a "helpful" mechanic oiled it with K&N oil as "they're all the same stuff"

4k miles later I check it and the open-cell foam was fragmenting and deteoriated. Needless to say I was pisssed and never went to that mechanic again. I was forced to buy a K&N (The Amsoil fell apart as I was taking it out and I couldn't wait for one to arrive in the mail) locally, and it seems to be comparable, but I think it takes less oil than the Amsoil. It should just be wet, not dripping oil.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFriend

the K&N is better flowing than stock (more air = more power)

Ahem..........
With modern bikes, more air does NOT equal more power, at least not just by itself. It is common for it to run worse if the intake is the only thing you change.

Note: Generalization here but it applies to MOST recent bikes. I'm sure that there probably are a couple of exceptions.

[JohnnyFriend]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Ahem..........
With modern bikes, more air does NOT equal more power, at least not just by itself. It is common for it to run worse if the intake is the only thing you change.

Note: Generalization here but it applies to MOST recent bikes. I'm sure that there probably are a couple of exceptions.

Take off all the electronic crap and it is still a motor and hasent changed in about 100 years--soo the statement is still true.

If it werent than all the people on this forum that cut holes in their airboxes and say they felt more power (without any other modification's) are all liars. Im not about to call them that
Tuning the computer will help more and should be done also but helping get more air in is the first step.

Slider--you definitly put too much oil on the filter for that to happen.
I have been using K&N filters on various cars/trucks/and bikes starting in 1990 without any problems at all

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFriend

Take off all the electronic crap and it is still a motor and hasent changed in about 100 years--soo the statement is still true.

Believe whatever you want.
Just don't be preaching it to others.

Some of the reported improvements here and elsewhere are "placebo effect".
Then again, the M50 might be one of the rare cases where a little more air actually helps. Don't know and don't care, since I don't have one.

Point is that your general statement that (more air=more power) by itself is NOT true of most modern bikes. It just isn't. Repeating it over and over does not somehow make it true. Attested to in many other forums where opening up the intake makes the bikes run worse until other tuning is done.

[05HDRAM]

Don't be so hard there Easy. It is a common fact with any motor - more air equals more power. You are correct in that just adding air will not gaurentee more power without other mods. If you are allowing more flow in, you need to open the exhaust to allow more out. Since the motor can breathe better, you will need to add more fuel or the motor will run lean.

[JohnnyFriend]

I stand by what I said--I have been working on motors longer than I can remember so I think I know a thing or two.
All factory motors come restricted for emissions and fuel economy NOT for max performance.

And I stated that tuning the computer should be done also--or don't you read the entire post before you bash people

I don't know about you but I don't say things unless I know them to be true--you on the other hand don't even own this particular bike but SEEM to know all about it---look who's preaching now

Im not going to argue with someone over what I said because there oar others that have said the same thing of the same bike (that you don't own)

In closing what I said is true for all motors across the world weather you like it or not.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFriend

In closing what I said is true for all motors across the world weather you like it or not.