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Thread: K&n sucks :(

  1. #1
    Tuner in Training david78's Avatar
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    K&n sucks :(

    Just a warning to other 8th generation chevy malibu owners
    After some nagging, I fell into buying K&N
    As a result I had to reduce timing advance 6* and my LT and ST fuel trims are all over the place. Also lost low end torque ( car boggs down)
    Intake Air Temp is now in the 140*
    Stock was 90*-100*
    6+3 = 9 but so does 5+4. The way you do things isn't always the only way to do them. Respect other people’s way of thinking

  2. #2
    Tuner
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    I'm assuming it is a short ram? Also which Malibu engine do you have?

  3. #3
    There are two sources that back up my opinion about K&N on stock vehicles.

    #1: I performed a detailed study over 4 weeks with my stock 99' Silverado 4.3L truck commuting to work. I did 1 week stock, 1 week K&N, 1 week stock, 1 week K&N. It resulted in a 2 MPG loss using a K&N filter.

    #2: I spoke with a GM Senior Powertrain Engineer and asked him specifically if they design air filters to be a restriction. I think we can all guess the answer.

    As far as modified engine applications, K&N probably flows better than a OEM paper filter.

  4. #4
    Senior Tuner mbray01's Avatar
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    I have seen so many times on a dyno the actual effects of k&n filters. on a square inch vs square inch comparison the paper filter out performs the k&n everytime.
    My first experience was on a drag motor I built, 14"round,6" tall k&n with a k&n lid. The dyno operated looked at numbers and saw it overfueling on the first pull and said watch this, he installed just a basic 14", round 5"tall filter with a metal lid. The engine actually picked and additional 20+hp, and leaned out to the correct afr. I would have never believed it till he showed me. Now I laugh daily seeing all these cars coming in with claimed cold air intakes and watching the iat's go through the roof.

    Just goes to show what good marketing does.
    Michael Bray
    Rusty Knuckle Garage
    Slidell, Louisiana
    20yr Master Tech.
    Advanced Level Specialist
    Custom Car Fabrication, Customization, High Performance.
    GM World Class Technician
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  5. #5
    Advanced Tuner
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    On many cars that I tune the IATs are MUCH higher with aftermarket intakes. Sometimes its probably due to the metal piping being used instead of the factory plastics, but other times its because the intake filter is left exposed in the engine bay to soak up all of that hot air in the compartment. Sure some of these factory boxes only breathe through a small hole in the fender or elsewhere that is probably no bigger than your fist, but it may be more efficient than people think. There are a lot of stock intakes and exhausts that out perform the aftermarket offerings. Yet people buy them because they either believe it will benefit them, or because they simply want the noise.

    That and how many times have you had to clean a MAF sensor just to tune it right after it gets oiled and gummed up by a K&N or other oiled filter?

  6. #6
    Senior Tuner mbray01's Avatar
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    lol, cleaning a maf more times than i ever want to remember. The new oilles filters are better, but the boxes always leave a lot to be desired. On stock engines I always prefer a stock box with a upgrade filter, if its got a cam keep the box and get upgrade filter and smooth plastic piping. Now forr racing applications or large displacement we always try to find the most efficient air systems. I have gotten quite good results from vararam over the radiator kits, if those are not available than its on to looking for truly sealed air boxes. Always go oilless air filter
    Michael Bray
    Rusty Knuckle Garage
    Slidell, Louisiana
    20yr Master Tech.
    Advanced Level Specialist
    Custom Car Fabrication, Customization, High Performance.
    GM World Class Technician
    Shop Owner

  7. #7
    Tuner in Training david78's Avatar
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    Hi guys, (my computer keept saying no replies) it is a 2015 2.5 L the intake pipe is short and aluminum. after the first use and the terrible log I did find the pipe get a lot of heat soak, so i wrapped it in some header wrap i had left over. Some of the bogging at low RPM's did go away. Since I drilled a hole in the pipe for my nitrous nozzle I can not return it. thinking about cutting about 6" from the end and using the sock box ( but that leaves me with a 300 dollar 2 foot aluminum pipe, lesson learned)

    BTW 2015 chevy malibu 2.5L stock internals ( just tuned and 75 shot of nitrous (ran on a progressive controller/window switch) kicking v8 butt) LOL
    6+3 = 9 but so does 5+4. The way you do things isn't always the only way to do them. Respect other people’s way of thinking