New Air Box or K&N

[thsupernge]

I know I will probably ignite some very personal opinions here but I'm curious. My 88 has a broken bracket on the bottom of the airbox I can't seem to rig back into place.
Do I find a used one and replace it or just go the K&N route. To be honest I'm not a huge fan of the oil based filters and what they can do to sensors etc. However, having the K&N would be a simple R&R and give me tons of room in the engine area for inspections, repairs, etc.

Is the airbox difficult to remove? Looks like 4 bolts...?

What are your thoughts?

[jac1976]

Are you saying there is a complete replacement for the factory airbox? I was not aware of this.

[76FJ55]

In my opinion the K&N is the most hyped non-filter on the market. Other's opinions may very.

[thsupernge]

Originally Posted by jac1976

Are you saying there is a complete replacement for the factory airbox? I was not aware of this.

I have seen one, yes. I can probably find a link. Nothing special.

[thsupernge]

Originally Posted by 76FJ55

In my opinion the K&N is the most hyped non-filter on the market. Other's opinions may very.

I don't disagree

[emac911]

I purchased a complete new OEM air box a few years ago. Part # 930 110 343 01. Pelican has it. All you need is the snorkel, even comes with a new filter.

[Cairo94507]

I always prefer to stay with the stock air box if possible. It is quieter and is a better filter.

[Steam Driver]

K&N = overhyped/“snake oil.” (Opinion) Needs more regular maintenance than stock which most people don’t realize. (Fact) And not that it matters with CIS but the oil in thevK&N is hazardous to the health of hot wire AFM’s.

Interesting story. A late friend of mine was using a K&N replacement for the stock air filter in his Carrera 3.2. The car developed some odd running characteristics, particularly didn’t want to idle and die in traffic. But it then start back up OK.

We began trouble-shooting from the outside in. Looking at the K&N it was seriously plugged, being practically black. Replaced it with a used stock unit (on hand at the time) and car ran fine. My assessment of the situation was that the restriction of the plugged filter was causing the ECU to get mixed signals of airflow vs rpm giving it some indecisions about mixture. Just my diagnosis; yours may vary.

Stay with stock air box and the stock dry filter.

[cgibson67]

Originally Posted by emac911

I purchased a complete new OEM air box a few years ago. Part # 930 110 343 01. Pelican has it. All you need is the snorkel, even comes with a new filter.

My car came with only K&N and I've been looking at converting back to OEM airbox.

The snorkel is NLA correct? Has anyone found an alternative? Is it OK use without it?

[brighton911]

A number of studies have shown that the OEM filter is far superior in filtering and offers no restriction on airflow.

[emac911]

Originally Posted by cgibson67

My car came with only K&N and I've been looking at converting back to OEM airbox.

The snorkel is NLA correct? Has anyone found an alternative? Is it OK use without it?

I am sure there are plenty of them floating around. Post up in the ads (beware of scammers) and call some of the recyclers. It didnt take long for me to locate one.

[Crow911]

I have been down this path. In my opinion a non-shrouded cone filter mounted to the AFM just sucks more hot engine bay air into the throttle body. The factory box pulls air in from a higher point and closer to the grills on the wing to maximize colder air being drawn it. Cone tooks better but I dont think it adds any extra performance and, in fact, probable reduces some.

[911obgyn]

If it has to be CA smogged it will not pass visual inspection with KN filter.
There is a thread on oil analysis KN vs stock filter somewhere pretty eye opening!

[Steam Driver]

I may have one or more snorkels. If anyone interested let me know via PM and I will look (not on site but close by).

[thsupernge]

Okay, this has basically confirmed what I had suspected. Thanks for weighing in on this, everyone; I appreciate it. I'll see if I can find a good used one or bite the bullet on a new one if necessary. The OEM does have a ton of surface area, which tells me it flows a lot of air. The filters are not expensive, so changing them is relatively painless to boot.