Will A Less Restrictive Air Filter Add Power?

[cardude225]

I have a 1996 Olds Ciera Wagon with with 3.1 SFI V6 eng with 111,000mi.

I recently viewed a demonstration at the parts store of a Fram air filter vs. K&N performance air filter. The demo clearly showed more airflow with the K&N filter. The K&N filter costs about 5 times the Fram filter.

What's the scoop ... Will I really get more power from my eng just by installing a less restrictive air filter, and how significant will the possible increase be?

[loner666]

your gain less then 5hp maybe 1-2 but IMO id buy one if you plan to keep the car awhile..itll pay for itself in a few years when you have to keep replacing the fram ones since K&N are reusable

[ForcedFirebird]

I use them. As loner said, they save money over time because they are washable. They flow a lot better than stock when clean, but as soon as they are dirty, they flow about the same. If you use a cone filter on the end of a CAI with smooth bends, it helps a little better.

[cardude225]

Thanks gentlemen for your advice.

Firebird, can you explain cone filter and CAI? I am not aware of these terms. Thanks a ton.

[ForcedFirebird]

This isn't a K&N, but it's a cone filter...

http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t...t=100_2942.jpg

CAI = Cold Air Induction (drawing air from outside the engine bay).

[john_V63400]

Yes/No
NO....
If you put a aftermarket Cone filter your injen bay it will suck hot air (hot air less dense less power, or maybe possibly the same power as stock because usually stock is colder than a cone filter after your MAF or throttle body, in my experince waste of money!
YES......
Buy a CAI(cold air intake) that is made and fitted for your car, you will hear and feel it.. Barely but it will be somewhat noticable in most cases. Specially small engines.
Or......
Throw a cone filter from autoZone after your MAF screw it on, by the adapter wich lets you run a 2 1/4 tube from the top end of the cone filter 3 Ft. where ever you want, I put it behind my grill in my first 99 GA. this way you are getting guaranteed cold air fed from the front of the car, worked great for me and costed less than a K&N drop in filter

[torq455]

yeah, i did that WAI--cone filter in the hot engine bay in my 2004 GASE, sounds sweet, but i remember what Sappyse107 (BEN) told me: on the dyno it added 6 hp at top end, but lost 12 ft/lbs everywhere else. so i got a K&N put the stock box back in and routed a ram air duct from my fog lights. WOW huge difference! more power everywhere! miss the sounds though, but well worth it!

[sharkey]

yea warm air intakes suck. currently thats whats on my car. after i put the megasquirt in and ditched the maf ive just had a short ram (basicly 90 degree off the tb and then the filter). on my roadtrip last weekend i was seeing an average of 110* intake air temps, in 85* weather. ill eventualy get off my but to built a cold air intake.

[IsaacHayes]

Yes they do. I had one on in winter and the air was so cold it wasn't noticable decrease in power, but when summer rolled around, the car had no power or throttle response. Put the stock air box back in, and now it will just fly. My stock box is modded and has a K&N though. I do need to clean it though.