K&N Induction Kits

[MikeBX16V]

There are cheap ways to improve cars, as manufacturers want to reduce costs, even by tiny amounts, and the marketeers want a clear distinction between their models. A few pence per car adds up if you make a million of them.

I have used K&N panel filters for years, but not the 'induction kits', and I am very happy with them.The panel filters fit in place of the standard air filter, so you still get the proper cold air feed.

The advantage is they do not need replacing as often as the cheap paper filters as they are thicker, and I do not think that the cheap crinkly paper filter is any better at filtering the air.

I doubt if there is any measurable power increase in a 406 though, as the air intake is well designed.

If a car is modified, you may invalidate your 1st party cover, but the 3rd party cover (the bit that matters most, and that the law requires) is still valid.

If you inform your insurer, they cannot later complain that you did not tell them something.

Mike

[wilko]

ive had induction kits wont have another i have just ordered a green panel filter for my 406 andby far the best way if you wanna make it sound like an induction kit is to drill 6 holes in thefront of the air box.

[mjb]

by far the best way if you wanna make it sound like an induction kit is to drill 6 holes in thefront of the air box.

Why not just remove the filter and let even more dirty unfiltered hot air into the engine?

[Dan224]

For induction kits to work efficiently they need a dedicated cold feed, something like a ram pipe, and you need a heat shield around the filter. Even on a tuned engine you would lucky to get more than 15bhp at the flywheel! A panel filter is the best option if you want a more free revving engine, there's no noticable power increase, maybe 1 or 2 bhp, but it will feel a bit livelier.

As for allowing more crud in your engine, all worthwhile companies comply with ISO 5011 standard, OEM filters and the cheap halfrauds type average about an 80-83% filtration rate with a reduced flow rate of 15-18%. In contrast, firms like K&N average a 96-98% filtration rate with a reduced flow of 6-9%. So they're actually better at filtering and at the end of the test they're actually less restrictive.

If you want a noticable increase in power its going to cost a bit more than an 80 quid filter. At an absolute minimun you would need full S/S exhaust, cat replacement pipe/sports cat and air filter! beware though as your insurance will be invalid with a cat pipe, they're for track use only!

If your after a more sporty note then go for a new back box rather than the filter

Dan

[wilko]

i was only putting an opinion across and telling you wot i was doing as for the panel filter its going on so i dont have to buy the paper filters no more

[Dan224]

In all fairness, drilling holes in the airbox, although not recomended, will not cause any problems. As the OE box is sealed and has ducting to supply cold air the extra hot air taken in by the holes would be negligable, as for more dirt getting into the engine, as long as the holes are drilled before the filter that is not going to be an issue either. Again, not somthing I'd recommend but it wont cause any problems if you do.

[mjb]

In all fairness, drilling holes in the airbox, although not recomended, will not cause any problems. As the OE box is sealed and has ducting to supply cold air the extra hot air taken in by the holes would be negligable, as for more dirt getting into the engine, as long as the holes are drilled before the filter that is not going to be an issue either. Again, not somthing I'd recommend but it wont cause any problems if you do.

I'm pretty sure the guy was insinuating drilling the holes post-filter as that's the only way it'd change the sound. I routinely drill a hole in the top of the cold air intake pipe as an emergency "oh crap this puddle is a bit deep" way to stop the engine taking on water under low throttle and it doesn't affect anything

[Dan224]

Ah right

I routinely drill a hole in the top of the cold air intake pipe as an emergency "oh crap this puddle is a bit deep" way to stop the engine taking on water

If you've gotta drill that many holes, may I suggest a landrover style snorkel?

[mjb]

If you've gotta drill that many holes, may I suggest a landrover style snorkel?

Just one per 406... I'm on my 3rd now

[omega]

the reason i like a k@n is that it will out live the car so is cheap if you keep the car for a long time.if you look in car mechaics rag this month they do a test on a mg with a kn and and seam 2 get a small power increase

[mjb]

the reason i like a k@n is that it will out live the car so is cheap if you keep the car for a long time.if you look in car mechaics rag this month they do a test on a mg with a kn and and seam 2 get a small power increase

I only got the mag the other day and I ain't been to the crapper enough since then (despite the rather nice Garlic Spam Vindaloo I've had the last couple of nights). I'm only a few pages into it

Without increasing the filtration area those filters cannot provide better filtration than the standard filter AND provide less airflow restriction. It's not physically possible, so you get your 2bhp increase for a load of extra crap going into your cylinders. Sod that.

And as for this 2bhp increase... Who do you know that's compared a brand new paper filter to one of these K&N things with dyno readings to back it up? You replace a manky 5 year old paper filter with a new one you'll get your power back anyhow (not that a couple of horsepower is noticeable anywhere bar a dyno machine)

[munfred]

Friend of mine tested a stock intake, green enclosed, K&N panel and Max Pooer indutction kit on the dyno.
Not suggesting any reasons why this happened but a large fan was used as with all dyno runs.
Power:
1st Max Pooer
2nd Green Enclosed
3rd K&N panel
4th Stock

Although as mentioned to get the benefits of the air filter/induction kit you really need to make other breathing mods.
At the end of the day if you want something cheap that will not raise your insurance premium, and is guarenteed to make your car faster: then go for a dump, shave all bodily hair, and drive naked. This reduction in weight will probably give the same sort of gains as just replacing the stock filter as the bhp/tonne will be increased. ;)

[teamster1975]

Excellent answer, PMSL!

[HimBigChief]

And drive with the window down 1/2" so you get some 'induction roar' into the cabin.

[highlander]

Kinda regret having asked the question now, as I feel a bit silly.

No induction kits or "performance" filters for me, so I'll look elsewhere for little lifts and enhancements, and only where the benefit is real and far outweigh any negatives. The replacement of the intake and exhaust manifolds with one from a 2l mentioned in another thread looks to be a nice one, unless anyone can tell me why I shouldn't do it.

Thanks for the explanations as to why these are overall negative though, it helps me to see what bits do what under the hood (reducing my mechanical ineptitude, one step at a time!)