Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

[EBird]

I know it has become a big topic but......Is the K&N worth the Extra Money..or does the True Rev perform the same???

Thanks!

[Lonestar]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

This is a topic that is almost like wax and polishes for there are an abundance of opinions. Unless you were to take your car, install the K&N, do some dyno runs, and then replace the K&N with True Rev and do the same no one can factually answer your question.

Fact: OEM filter systems are designed to allow as much air as absolutely possible into the intake and do so while maintaining some established threshold for noise.

Fact: The recommended OEM air filter is designed to trap dirt particles down to a specified micron level.

FACT: Cars today have air flow sensors to regulate air / fuel ratios and to trip a code if the filter is too clogged to allow air to flow at minimum specifications.

The claim: K&N, True Rev, and etc., etc., etc, CAIs increase horse power and torque by unleashing the power your vehicle already has simply by streamlining the intake tube and then (what they do not tell you) placing a oiled gauze filter on the end that has pours so large that small bugs and a lot of dirt easily get past it.

The result: Cool looking intake that makes more noise at WOT, lets dirt get in you engine (even if freshly oiled), and produces minimal HP and torque gains at RPMs where you typically do not drive.

I would be willing to bet a dollar that simply cutting the bottom out of the stock air box and keeping the OEM air filter in place would dyno out virtually the same as if a K&N or True Rev system was installed. The stock air inlet is very restrictive.

Microfiber technology has made its way into oil filters and there are limited cones, like those used with CAI systems, now available utilizing microfiber technology. The microfiber technology flows air better then OEM paper filters and oiled gauze type filters but trap particles smaller then the OEM paper type filters can trap and there is no comparison between the filtration abilities of microfiber technology VS oiled gauze.

So, both the K&N or True Rev will look cool, provide additional throaty sound at WOT, and allow a lot of dirt to enter your engine. But again, in regards to performance, only actual dyno testing would reveal which system is better. You obviously already know the cost different.

By the way, I have the K&N CAI but never installed the gauzed filter opting to use a microfiber cone filter instead. I do enjoy the sound at partial or WOT. However, at about 4800 RMP and up the throaty sound changes to a whooshing sound and when the car is turned off there is a brief sucking sound as a result of the baffles incorporated in the OEM system not being there to absorb the sound. Not crazy about these two situations.

[Ray]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

Thanks, Bill, for doing another great job explaining a technical topic! I've always been afraid of messing around with the engine, especially since it's prone to COPS failures.

[Dave Stanger]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

You talked me out of it. Thanks!

[AZTB]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

Awesome, Bill...thanks! I'm gonna change out my K/N and replace it with the stock filter!

[Lonestar]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

Guys, do not throw away your CAI if you have one or avoid buying one if you want one. If you have one, or are going to buy one, consider one of these:

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/eaau.aspx

Other places my have these as well. I am a Dealer so naturally I use the one from AMSOIL but, they are available elsewhere.

Oh and Ray, your COPs are going to fail at some point regardless of whether you have a CAI installed or not.

[Ray]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

Oh and Ray, your COPs are going to fail at some point regardless of whether you have a CAI installed or not.

I know, that's why I don't want to mess with the engine and possibly cause something else to go wrong.

[crmpuf]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

Bill when we met at Ozark Thunder in sept 07 I approached you and told you I allways look forward to your posts especially those relating to technical topics and this is another example of why thanks again for sharing your common sense automotive expertise

[SKIPIFE]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

Thanks again Lonestar:
Now I really feel good about the filter I had installed on my Denali, it has a microfiber filter as well, and I thought the ad in the GM Performance website was mostly hype.
I'll get the microfiber filter for the bird when the K&N needs to be cleaned and re-oiled; also the other two POV's. The Harley is already set up to get a microfiber airbox kit at the thousand mile mark.

[EBird]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

Thanks Bill....It does give me something to think about !

[bronzebird]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

I have the K & N system in my '05 and I like the sound from 2,000 up to 5,000 rpm but it does sound a bit whooshy after that. I try to clean and oil the filter about every 3,000 miles to keep the filtration at maximum.

That said, I had a '95 Mustang GT that I could not afford a CAI for at the time so I took a one inch round drill bit and routed out the air box on both sides and the top to allow more air flow. The flowmasters I had on the car were allowing more exhaust to flow out but there wasn't enough air coming in on the front end to make a difference. I think the increases in response on the 5.0 Mustang were about the same as I got with the K & N/MagnaFlow cat-back combination I have on the 'Bird.

[Chuck]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

I can only share with the group 2 things happened when I had my bird (and another TBN members bird) dynoed. 1st was that they both were running extremely lean. According to the person who dynoed the cars this is indicative of increased air flow into the engine. 2nd both cars initially dynoed approximately 35 horse power over what Ford stated. We all know that manufacturers report HP numbers that aren’t always as accurate as we would like. Both cars have Borala exhaust systems, mine has a K&N CAI and the other has another brand CAI. As far as K&N filters I can only speak from experience. I had a 1992 Cougar that I put 289,000 miles on. If it weren't the transmissions going I would still be driving it. I put a K&N in it at 2,000 miles. Took the car to my local mechanic who tore it down because he's never seen a Ford V6 go 300,000 miles with no engine repair. He said that he’s seen engines with 50,000 miles on it that have been dirtier. One of the primary means of dirt entering the engine is via the air intake system. I will never own another car or truck that does not have a K&N air filtration system in it. That being said I do not recommend re-oiling the things. The tendency is to over oil them which fouls the MAF, just buy a new one. As far as Oil Filters, do some R&D on Google. I think you'll find that some of the paper filters finish at the top of the list - for example - the NAPA Gold which I think is a rebranded WIX filter is one of the better filters on the market. BTW - that's the primary way to extend the life and health of your engine – change your oil & filter regularly using a quality oil and a quality filter - 2nd is air intake.

[Leroy]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

My question is, do these aftermarket air filtration systems void your Ford warranty?
Leroy

[AZTB]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

My question is, do these aftermarket air filtration systems void your Ford warranty?
Leroy

No.

[EBird]

Re: Who has the K&n and who has the True Rev?Do you Like it?

I can only share with the group 2 things happened when I had my bird (and another TBN members bird) dynoed. 1st was that they both were running extremely lean. According to the person who dynoed the cars this is indicative of increased air flow into the engine. 2nd both cars initially dynoed approximately 35 horse power over what Ford stated. We all know that manufacturers report HP numbers that aren’t always as accurate as we would like. Both cars have Borala exhaust systems, mine has a K&N CAI and the other has another brand CAI. As far as K&N filters I can only speak from experience. I had a 1992 Cougar that I put 289,000 miles on. If it weren't the transmissions going I would still be driving it. I put a K&N in it at 2,000 miles. Took the car to my local mechanic who tore it down because he's never seen a Ford V6 go 300,000 miles with no engine repair. He said that he’s seen engines with 50,000 miles on it that have been dirtier. One of the primary means of dirt entering the engine is via the air intake system. I will never own another car or truck that does not have a K&N air filtration system in it. That being said I do not recommend re-oiling the things. The tendency is to over oil them which fouls the MAF, just buy a new one. As far as Oil Filters, do some R&D on Google. I think you'll find that some of the paper filters finish at the top of the list - for example - the NAPA Gold which I think is a rebranded WIX filter is one of the better filters on the market. BTW - that's the primary way to extend the life and health of your engine – change your oil & filter regularly using a quality oil and a quality filter - 2nd is air intake.

great Info !!!


Correct...Napa Filters are made by Wix...They are a Good Quality Filter!