3.2 cone air filter - performance gains

[Carrera Sled]

Has anyone replaced their OEM air intake box with the cone-type K&N filter & adapter? I'm curious as to the performance gains to be had. If you have any feedback, I'd appreciate it. One mfr, PowerFlow, claims a 10 HP gain on the 3.2.

1) Is there improved throttle response, with the engine revving quicker?

2) Is there a noticeable power increase?

3) Is the intake noise much louder? Still not louder than the fan?

I would think this and a Steve Wong chip (the chip having more effect?) would be a nice improvement, and easy!

Thanks in advance,

[stomachmonkey]

1) NO

2) NO

3) Yes

Do a search, this is not a new topic.

More than enough pro/con threads to help you decide.

Regards,
Scott

[beepbeep]

You get more noise, more dirt in the engine and roughly the same power. Dyno-tested...

Ben,
I put a K and N onto my 1985 Cab and have to say can't hear any deeper 'growl' if that's waht you're after - but on prtevious cars I have drilled holes int eh air box and noticed an immediate deepr, induction noise.

On the carrera, there is a quite loud hissing air intake noise - continuously at idle - which you'd be hard pushed to describe as an improvement.

I went thru' loads of threads - and clear majority all said as per Scott above - no HP gains!, and other threads have said K and N etc let through more dirt that standard OE air filter.

Solution might be keep stoick filter, keep stock air box - but with added holes:

I'm thinking of getting a spare air box lid and drilling holes in that for the 'better' sound!


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/113492-airbox-modification.html#post905552

[Rick Lee]

By itself, the cone filter will not give you much. But add a chip and a test pipe and together they give you a little more of everything - nice sound, nice low-end boost and no one ever mentions this, but the cone filter frees up SO MUCH space back there to work around your valve covers and plugs.

[Carrera Sled]

Thank you all for the info. I had some doubts about the "benefits" of this mod, and more airflow = more dirt into the engine . It sure would "clean up" that side of the engine compartment, though! Your inputs help, and I'll remember to look for previous posts first.

Cheers,

[88 Club Sport]

Just did it yesterday. Since its still on stands, I cannot comment regarding performance but I'm not expecting any with this mod alone. It sure makes for a nice looking engine compartment.

If there is any performance benefit it will be due to the combo of the cone with my new sport muffler, euro pre-muff that's on order and Steve W's chip that will be added with the next bonus check!

[ricwon]

Hi 88 Club Sport, Who did you buy your filter from? I checked PP but only found the K&N filter for the stock setup. Did the Club Sport come without a/c? From your pic you certainly have plenty of room in your engine compartment! ric

[geof33]

I use the MSDS cone filter. It has a more surface area overall as the end is not capped and has a small conical filter in the end. I'm skeptical of the "more dirt in the engine" thing, but whatever. I don't drive my car in the dirt anyway and I like the overall sound, the look, the SOTP dyno test feels good for at least 50 extra horsepower

Anyway, I've liked mine for four years now, and have never had a mechanic tell me it's an issue or try to talk me out of it. There are LOT's of opinions on this. Just remember that "statistics" can be skewed to attain whatever the tester wants...

[88 Club Sport]

Hey Ric,
I ended up getting it through AJ USA, they had an add (pg 114) in the Sept Pano. As for air, no the CS had no air, no power seats, no power windows, no rear seats, no sunroof, no leather......etc. Just pure fun Maybe not the best daily driver but a great car for weekend blasts in the Rocky Mtns!
Craig

[Victor]

If you just want the intake growl, just drill the original airbox lid.

[Carrera Sled]

Thanks. Actually, I don't want it any louder - I was curious how much difference it made.

Cheers,

[Wavey]

You know, this thing about K&Ns letting more dirt into the engine is just BS. I've been using them on everything I own since I installed the first one in an '84 Saab Turbo, and at least 10 other cars since then. I've never noticed any dirt in the intake tracks when I've taken them off for cleaning. I've been paying extra attention to this for the last couple of years since I first saw it mentioned on this board. I've checked the 3 cars I currently own that have K&Ns in them and the intake tracts are spotless. My '88 Carrera has a K&N cone filter kit from Broadfoot Racing. I wiped the throttle body out with a clean white cloth and it came out just as clean as it went in. I'm guessing that someone posted this misinformation years ago and everyone else just repeats it.

As they say, my 2 cents.

PS: Let's revoke California's statehood :>

[Jeroen]

The cone filter does nothing or very little performance wise. Not enough for you to notice it anyway...
The noise is more like a whistle (it sounds like running without the aircleaner box), so you can now whistle songs with the throttle pedal

Oh, and they look cool and clean in the engine compartment

cheers,

Jeroen

[beepbeep]

Originally posted by Wavey
You know, this thing about K&Ns letting more dirt into the engine is just BS. I've been using them on everything I own since I installed the first one in an '84 Saab Turdo, and at least 10 other cars since then. I've never noticed any dirt in the intake tracks when I've taken them off for cleaning. I've been paying extra attention to this for the last couple of years since I first saw it mentioned on this board. I've checked the 3 cars I currently own that have K&Ns in them and the intake tracts are spotless. My '88 Carrera has a K&N cone filter kit from Broadfoot Racing. I wiped the throttle body out with a clean white cloth and it came out just as clean as it went in. I'm guessing that someone posted this misinformation years ago and everyone else just repeats it.

As they say, my 2 cents.

PS: Let's revoke California's statehood :>

Well if your highly scientific "didn't find any dirt in intake"- approach provided you with positive results then it's probably good to use K&N open filters!

Here's some reading for you, it has less "BS" , "seat of the pants" and "i once did..." and more science in it:

http://www.seansa4page.com/resource/airfilter.html

[Jeff]

Ben, I would like to do this also but for different reasons. I need more clearance, I just can't get my arm between the hinge and the airbox to fasten the back clips without hosing it down with WD-40 first. I plan on getting a second airbox cover (when I find one at a decent price or it is time to change my air filter, which ever comes first) and cutting the face off leaving a lip on the top and sides to shed any unwanted water.

Where in Phoenix are you?

[Wavey]

Originally posted by beepbeep
Well if your highly scientific "didn't find any dirt in intake"- approach provided you with positive results then it's probably good to use K&N open filters!

Here's some reading for you, it has less "BS" , "seat of the pants" and "i once did..." and more science in it:

http://www.seansa4page.com/resource/airfilter.html

Interesting reading, though hardly conclusive.

I just don't see any evidence that K&N filters are letting more dirt into the engines, regardless of what the above "study" states. As I said, the intake tracts on these cars are perfectly clean. And several of these cars have logged a LOT of miles with absolutely no problems associated with dirt in the engine.

The Saab Turbo in question ran 316,000 miles before I sold it, the cylinder head and turbo were never touched, the engine had excellent compression and didn't use enough oil to justify adding any between changes. My '93 Ford F150 has 173,000 miles and the same is true of that engine. Same thing for my '00 Saab 9-3 at 94,000 miles. And I frequently drive in abnormally dusty conditions.

[cassisrot]

Beep, Beep (or is it just Beep, or do you prefer Mr. Beep), Very interesting. I have a K&N in a 325is and was considering putting one in the Carrera. The shark's study has aborted that plan and I will go back to the oem filter in Bimmer. Thank you. good info. BTW, I live on a dirt road!

[geof33]

From what I understand... more anecdotal info... is the airflow numbers used in that test are not real world. Most "tests" aren't. The biggest issue with a K/N type filter is the oil. It HAS to be done right. If there is too much, flow suffers, too little and a bit more dirt MIGHT get in MAYBE...

I've also never seen a lick of dirt or oil in my intake, on the barn door or otherwise. So I'm not worrying. If the real world air flow is better, then if nothing else my engine can "breathe" better. A good thing IMO...

But, what do I know, I use a cool collar. Go figure.

[thabaer]

All of the people I know who have reported increased intake dirt with the K&Ns were using them on turbo engines. They all had bypass valves that when you let off the gas can permit a bit of oil mist to squeak past the check valve from the pressurized crankcase and coat the plumbing right after the air filter. That misted oil was what trapped the dirt and let the owners see the increase in dust passing through the filter, observed results.

I never have understood the thought process behind "I havn't seen it so it can't be". If it works for you, fine... don't go dismissing other people's experience just 'cuz you ain't seen it.

I'm curious about the 3.2 airbox: if you replace it with a cone will you permit more hot air to get sucked in, i.e. does the stock setup try to pull the air from an area of a fresh cool supply ?