Nice video, sounds great let us know if you see any gains or loses in MPG.
K&N really? Thought it was just Airraid and Injen?
Any MPG info?
So after 3100 miles and 3 months, I removed the K&N filter and returned to the stock airbox configuration. The following are my thoughts and opinions.
So why did I take it out. There were actually several reasons:
1. The throttle response was quicker in the 3-4k range, but I don't spend enough time in those rev ranges to actually feel the difference.
2. I have been monitoring the Intake Air Temperature IAT since it has gotten hotter here in Dallas. When the ambient temperature has been around 100deg, the IAT at stop lights and heavy traffic has been 35-40 deg above ambient. Also, even when moving I felt that the return to close to ambient temp was pretty slow. This has all been confirmed in the last few days with the stock box back in. The most I get is 15-20 deg above ambient and it returns in half the time to within 2-3 deg of ambient with the stock configuration.
3. The drone at 2000-2500 rpms really does get on your nerves after a while. I noticed this most when I was on the highway on cruise. When the car begins slow down on a hill, it opens the throttle to increase the rpms before it has to downshift. This got it right in the drone range, and was just annoying.
4. In the extreme heat, it seemed that idling really struggled with the K&N, perhaps it had to do with the high temps, but it seemed to be on the verge of stalling. Also, it had a negative effect on the A/C temperature in the cabin while struggling to maintain idle speed. This could have possibly been fixed with a proper tune, but not many people are doing tunes for the N/A 3.5L motor.
Overall, I think the IAT differences is the main reason I took it out. Oh well, live and learn, I am glad I tried it, but I am also pleased with the decision to remove it.
Thanks for reminding me Joe!! I dug out my handy log book. Taking the 3 months before I replaced it and the three months that I had it in, it breaks out like this:
01/20/13 through 4/20/13
3072 miles travelled
13 fillups (between 7 and 17 gals)
18.6 mpg average
21.6 mpg max
17.1 mpg min
4/20/13 through 7/21/13
3081 miles travelled
12 fillups (between 12 and 15 gals)
18.1 mpg average
20.9 mpg max
17.2 mpg min
The types (approx. 25% hwy and 75% city) of miles travelled during those separate times would be essentially the same. SOOOOO, I would say it is no benefit, but not a real detriment either.
So after 3100 miles and 3 months, I removed the K&N filter and returned to the stock airbox configuration. The following are my thoughts and opinions.
So why did I take it out. There were actually several reasons:
1. The throttle response was quicker in the 3-4k range, but I don't spend enough time in those rev ranges to actually feel the difference.
2. I have been monitoring the Intake Air Temperature IAT since it has gotten hotter here in Dallas. When the ambient temperature has been around 100deg, the IAT at stop lights and heavy traffic has been 35-40 deg above ambient. Also, even when moving I felt that the return to close to ambient temp was pretty slow. This has all been confirmed in the last few days with the stock box back in. The most I get is 15-20 deg above ambient and it returns in half the time to within 2-3 deg of ambient with the stock configuration.
3. The drone at 2000-2500 rpms really does get on your nerves after a while. I noticed this most when I was on the highway on cruise. When the car begins slow down on a hill, it opens the throttle to increase the rpms before it has to downshift. This got it right in the drone range, and was just annoying.
4. In the extreme heat, it seemed that idling really struggled with the K&N, perhaps it had to do with the high temps, but it seemed to be on the verge of stalling. Also, it had a negative effect on the A/C temperature in the cabin while struggling to maintain idle speed. This could have possibly been fixed with a proper tune, but not many people are doing tunes for the N/A 3.5L motor.
Overall, I think the IAT differences is the main reason I took it out. Oh well, live and learn, I am glad I tried it, but I am also pleased with the decision to remove it.