AMG893

So i finally got around to putting the K&Ns in.
The OEM filters were filthy, and there was quite a bit of sand / debris inside the airbox.
Cleaned all the debris out.

I let the K&Ns sit in the sun for a few hours beforehand.

I have put K&Ns in the E63 & ML63 before. ML63 used to throw CEL though, but when i put the factory filters back in, CEL went away.

But i gotta say, the accelerator now feels alot more smoother. I havnt thrashed the car yet, but even in moderate driving, i feel the power delivery is more linear.
Has anyone else experienced this? Wish i put them in earlier.
Anyway, thought i would share, for anyone else thinking of putting them in (i know most of you already have them anyway)

H20 MRV

I have them on my UK car and could feel no improvement, perhaps as you say you feel the improvement as your oem filters were dirty?

rentzington

It's most likely due to the oem being dirty, when i swapped mine out for performance filters they were filthy and that was likely the contributing factor to noticing minimal gain.

I did notice there was slightly more noise (and i really mean just slightly more) coming from the air intake probably due to more air passing.

rickclass

On the subject of filters...what's a good (if not the best) after market filters to go with, I heard folks talk about Dry vs Oil? advantages of both? and also I don't want any CELs...car is now 1 year old and my guess is that I'll need to replace them within the next year..Thanks.

rentzington

they're really probably all about the same, I like the AFE dry filters myself not a fan of the oiled filters.

You wont get CEL from a filter as long as you re-install the filter boxes right and dont disconnect the MAF

glennhl

Good to see an honest answer. Most people that put in new filters or any kind of mod that does not add power feels more power purely due to the placebo affect. I've run back to back at the drag strip with a car I had a while ago and the K&N's made no difference. The only thing the K&N's do is give you a lifetime filter that you can clean and re-oil. Of course, I also had trouble with oily MAF sensors, so to me the K&N's were just not worth it.

Critter

Personally ran K+N filters, oil and air in my vehicles since the 70's, and lastly these two Benz AMGs, NO ISSUES EVER. For all the owners out there just where is the cel light on my car, never seen it. Rick Class finally a local boy, K+N my friend, paper is just to wipe with .


Glennhl, also believe most issues with the K+N oiled filters is overzealous owners cleaning and oiling them like bi weekly, looking for that extra 1/4 HP.

rickclass

lol...thanks for the feed back...

Critter

Also Rick do not forget to change the air in your tires from summer to winter air,

rickclass

glennhl

Good point. I had an issue with my son's 94 Z28 because he over oiled it. All I had to do was to clean the MAF sensor with some electrical cleaner.

I also had K&N's on a 2006 Vette I had. But the only reason I had reusable filter elements is that they came with the cold air inlet systems I installed on those cars.

I was always impressed with LS1Tech.com, those LS Camaro guys didn't waste any money on just filter elements, plenty of people had done before and after pulls showing the K&N Element did not gain any horsepower. They always just used a decent throw-away element and FRAM turned out to be the best.

amgen

I use K&N´s and are a happy user.

On the negative side they get dirty in a shorter period of time, since
the cleaning area is smaller.

On the positive side I can clean them when ever I want, typically 3
times a year.

I don´t overoil them, oil on the "right" side and let them dry before use.

AMG893

Yep, well i never said i gained power, i was purely commenting on the acceleration being smoother.

Furthermore, i agree that since the paper filters were so dirty, i could have got the same result from replacing them with new OEM filters, instead of K&N.

Advantage to K&N is reusable. I get that.

PanzerLehr

I use K&N for everything from diesels to my C63 I don't really care if they give me +/-3hp but with some serious shopping I paid $43 for the two for the 63 and can avoid giving the dealer money. Never a problem but I bake the filters for a few and don't over oil.
I replaced the paper and deleted the carbon on the same day and my butt dyno felt no difference and my hearing sucks so I couldn't hear a difference but with software I can imagine the little extra air will help pull another pony or two.

Autosport7

Pfffft K&N's should come with wheelie bars!

AMG893

#realtalk

edwardsflight33

I switched to ROW airboxes and AFE Pro Dry at the same time. Still didn't notice a change. Only thing I've done that I noticed a change with was putting on the tune from Eurocharged. Will see if putting the Eisenmann exhaust on changes anything beyond the sound, but I doubt it.

HardC63

You will not gain much, but you'll gain something going from a crappy paper filter to a K&N filter.

You want some assurance, then do this test: get a nice high flowing fan, tape one end of painters blue tape take on each filter then place in front of the blowing fan...see which filter allows the piece(s) of tape to flow more freely. Not a super scientifical test, but you'll get the picture.

Chances are the K&N unit will allow for more tape movement vs the paper element. Granted, the delta wont be much, but noticeable nonetheless. Quantify that fan test airflow gain at levels of let's say 550 CFM at 4,000 plus RPM's and there you have it, the K&N will show it's muscles.

The K&N usually shows gains of 7 to 10 RWHP on the dyno over the paper filter...you WON'T feel that gain with you butt dyno, but it is there.

However, what happens sometimes is: the extra airflow can create an idle lean condition (specially with the 2009 models for some reason) and thus the CEL. Or, some owners may experience a little air turbulence/bucking at cruising speeds between 2,200 and 2,600 RPM's. This can be tuned out by adding fuel into your STFT idle tables and fuel in the MAF low frequency tables...usually 2% of additional fuel in these tables cures the issues.

Hope this helps

Ingenieur

I used k&n in my rs4 after seeing some dyno results from european car
Picked up 7-8 hp and a tenth or so in a 3000 to 8000 rpm timed in gear run
This can't be felt on a 420 hp engine
Also seemed to improve mpg a bit
Honestly the main advantage is cost over the lifetime of the vehicle and less crap in landfills
Moot for gas suckers like these lol
I have reservations about filtration efficiency so I stick with oem paper
But really no difference, personal choice

On my recent 5800 mile trip I averaged 20.5 avg speed 55 mph

Autosport7

Lol just playing bro.
I always say, whether a performance gain is noticed or not, K&N's or AFE are a must on any car.

AMG893

+ a wheelie bar to go with them

glennhl

I'll stick with the crappy paper filter elements. I'm doubtful of any power gain, maybe 3 to 5 hp and the paper filters are much, much better at filtering the air.

Ingenieur

Yep
Much better filtration
Pressure drop is moot since most happens across the throttle and intake valves

You have 1 atm (14.7 psi, 34 ft wc, 410" wc) of atm air pressure forcing air into the engine

The difference at full throttle is a few inches of wc
Insignificant

glennhl

Well thought out and logical post (as usual). Unfortunately a lot of people fall for the snake oil.

AMG893

Nope, snake oil not good for the filters (OEM or aftermarket), just use the K&N Recharge Kit when needed.