Is it worth a K&N air filter at service?

[Pittnathan]

Hi. Just a quickie. Is it worth ordering a K&N air filter over a stock one? Will there be any more induction noise/ gained hp or is it a waste of money?

 

[a113ycat]

I have a K&N in my '85 and a stock in my '95 I honestly cannot tell a difference as far as noise is concerned. I have never heard of gained HP by adding a K&N the only real benefit that I see is that you wont need to buy air filters for a very long time. But Im no expert either just an avid VMax enthusiast.

 

[Pittnathan]

Thats all I needed to hear. Probably just go with a stock one for the price difference. Thanks for your knowledge

 

[Lew L]

Hello Pitt,
Raising up the "Y" and trimingthe top of the filter to fit can actually be worth a bit of hp. The "Y" is an inlet restriction in the upper RPM range--- but if you remove it there is a flat spot off idle. Thus raising the "Y" .

Lew

 

[maleko89]

Yeah it's worth it because of reusability. It'll last as long as the bike. New stock filters are $40 if I remember right and should change every year.

 

[85vmax]

Worth every penny.....will last the lifetime of your vehicle.
And you never have to clean the darn thing unless you live in Saudi.
I have one in my max and xj550....pods on my fx....and in my accord and suv.

 

[one2dmax]

I might even have a good used one on hand.

Sean

 

[tonyg-5386]

Yes they are well worth it. Clean, re-oil and reuse forever. Not too heavy on the oil though. I had one "shrink" on me once. I called K&N and they sent me a new one, no questions asked and did not even ask for the old one back.

 

[Fire-medic]

Yes, I agree w/the others. I have a stock K&N replacement; four K&N pods for the stage 7 Dynojet I have yet to install (I bought a used set of carbs already DJ stage 7-equipped off another member to swap-in, one day; & have two different 4/1's, will be experimenting), and also have K&N pods for my FZR1000.

Make sure everything is scrupulously-clean, as was mentioned, go light on the oil! If you don't you will be having to remove & clean your carbs. The media (gauze) should not be red, it should have a very faint 'pink' tint to it, anything more than that & your bike will run like S___ & you will need to remove & clean your carbs of the excess oil.

As was mentioned, they will last the life of your bike, unless you run too-much NOS & catch them on-fire from back-pressure!

Sean has a used one? Sounds like a deal waiting to happen.

 

[KJShover]

+1

I've got K&N on the Vmax and in the Dodge and hawkmobile.
They have already paid for themselves, but cleaning and reusing.

 

[sdt354]

Hello Pitt,
Raising up the "Y" and trimingthe top of the filter to fit can actually be worth a bit of hp. The "Y" is an inlet restriction in the upper RPM range--- but if you remove it there is a flat spot off idle. Thus raising the "Y" .

Lew

I like the K&n filter for longevity, though after several cleanings & oilings they get out of shape. Not to much $ on E-bay.
I've read it flows more air,(needs extra sealing on top too. But, show me dyno results. I removed the Y with stage 1 needles and managed to run well but burning way more fuel with minimum gain. i've settled with Y 3/8" shimmed, 150 mains, stock needles shimmed .032, stock springs tied 3 coils up.Pilot needles 3-31/4 turns out,I like this set up for now, no flat spots.Good acceleration. Good milage-when no fun

Titanium needles on hand for some other day's fiddling.
Steve-o

 

[Pittnathan]

What is raising the Y? Is that a mod on the standard airbox that can easily be done with little knowledge?

 

[Lew L]

On top of the air box there is a "Y" shaped plastic inlet. I used some thick foam cut to 1/4"x1/2" to raise the "Y" and inlarge the inlet as much as possible and still keep the "Y" in place.( You'll need longer screws) It you remove the "Y" you'll get a flat spot at low speeds but a bit more go on top.

Check out www.V-Maxoutlaw.com and go to the tech section.

Lew