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K & N air filter

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Alexma, Mar 24, 2011.

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  1. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    What are your thoughts for changing the filter out for a K&N?

    Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 Alexma, Mar 24, 2011
  2. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    My opinion is...no!

    It's been discussed many times, so do a search for more info.
     
    #2 stream, Mar 24, 2011
  3. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    Didn't see anything for the 11's. I didn't know if there is a difference with the genIII's or 11's.

    I've had these filters on all my cars.
     
    #3 Alexma, Mar 24, 2011
  4. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Why would you want to?

    FWIW, when I used to have an 02 Maxima, it seems that whenever people (on maxima.org) changed out their air filter assembly for something aftermarket, they'd usually end up having their MAF sensor fail. Not worth it, IMHO.
     
    #4 cwerdna, Mar 24, 2011
  5. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    I've seen that reported in many forums (Porsche, Mercedes AMG, BMW, etc.). Plus, whatever...purported...benefits (HP, etc.) don't really apply to a Prius, do they?
     
    #5 stream, Mar 24, 2011
  6. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    K&n filters come.pre oiled....
    The ones that have MAF sensors go out tend to be ones that oil their new filters or after the first cleaning, put on way toooo much oil.
    The extra oil is blown off the filter while driving which ends up coating the MAF sensor which leads to failure.
    Cleaning up the excess oil and spraying the sensor with a cleaner, tends to restore the sensor.
    The MAF sensor has a very thin small wire that measures the resistance as the flow of air passes.over it.

    Being new to hybrids, I am unaware of the relationship between the traction motor and the gas motor.

    On a gas motor...more flow tends to lead to more power. This includes having an exhaust that has better flow. Including a better flowing cat convert.

    I am guessing that a free flowing filter would be a benifit.

    Looking for more real world experience vs personal.opinion on the product.

    I do want to thank everyone for their input.

    ;)~
     
    #6 Alexma, Mar 24, 2011
  7. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    This would also include other "wet" filters like TRD and others.
     
    #7 Alexma, Mar 24, 2011
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The Prius does not benefit from a "higher flowing" filter like the K&N and the filtration ability is reduced compared to clean stock filter. Personally I wouldn't bother. I've modified and raced V8 sports cars and trucks for decades and even I don't see the benefit of a K&N style filter on my car. :)
     
    #8 F8L, Mar 24, 2011
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    On most newer cars, except large displacement or forced induction cars, the benefit is very slight to non-existent as verified by dyno days that I have participated in. Keep in mind that the Prius is an Atkinson style engine and not the typical Otto cycle.
     
    #9 F8L, Mar 24, 2011
  10. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    Good food for thought.
    But, there is a benefit in being able to wash and reuse a filter.
    It helps keep some of those filters from ending up in the landfill.
    Also, helps save money since you are not always buying filters.
    If you change out the filter every 15k miles, you tend to strt recovering the cost after the third or fourth filter.
     
    #10 Alexma, Mar 24, 2011
  11. LoveMyPriusIII

    LoveMyPriusIII New Member

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    When I had a Ford Ranger the K & N filter definitely gave me more power and acceleration. At the same time it reduced my fuel economy by 2-3mpg even when I tried to take it easy. I switched back to the normal filter and got my mpg's back.
     
    #11 LoveMyPriusIII, Mar 24, 2011
  12. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    F 8 L....thanks for the input....this was the kind of info I was looking for.
     
    #12 Alexma, Mar 24, 2011
  13. Dusty Chips

    Dusty Chips New Member

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    My take is that high flow air filters only make a difference at high revs; who drives a Prius like that?
     
    #13 Dusty Chips, Mar 24, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  14. shawnb2

    shawnb2 Active Member

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    I recently bought one for my car for the reasoning of being able to reuse it. Have used K&N style filters on most of my cars and have never had a problem with MAF sensors or the like. Maybe it's just my imagination but at mid-speeds it does seem to get up and move a little quicker after the first few days of driving. I got it from Amazon for $38 free shipping. Everyone has there own personal opinions about things like this, it's just up to you to make your own mind up for what you want to do. I will say, again not for the performance aspect of it but am looking at eventually getting a cold air intake by HKS. It may or may not do anything but go with the look of the car that I'm after and that's enough for me even with the cost of it. I like to think outside the box you could say.
     
    #14 shawnb2, Mar 24, 2011
  15. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    NP man. If you end up putting one on your car and dyno it please post your results. I don't mind being proven wrong if it means we get more solid data. :) Thanks!
     
    #15 F8L, Mar 24, 2011
  16. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    F8L-Not trying to prove anyone wrong here ;)

    If anything, it will save me money in the long run by being able to clean it and reuse it.

    Makes it a little greener too by not tossing so many used airfilters into the landfills.
     
    #16 Alexma, Mar 24, 2011
  17. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I still wouldn't bother. Unless your filter looks really clogged at 15K miles, it doesn't need to be changed that often.
     
    #17 cwerdna, Mar 24, 2011
  18. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    That's o k, you don't have to bother.

    Some people feel that a K & N is waste of money, I do not.

    This is my first hybrid and I just wanted some input.

    Thanks... :)
     
    #18 Alexma, Mar 25, 2011
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Ohh no, I didn't mean it that way. Sorry if it came across that way. I just meant there is not enough data to prove or disprove my opinion regarding the Prius so if you decided to go for it then please report back. :)
     
    #19 F8L, Mar 25, 2011
  20. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    Thanks F8L....all is good.
     
    #20 Alexma, Mar 25, 2011
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