awiner

I know this has been discussed before, and I even think I remeber Mr. Vanos did a DynoTest once on this but ... What are your feelings about swapping the factory Air Filter elements out and replacing them with K&N Air Filters ?

Will this make any difference in Power/Torque ?

Any negatives other than price ?!?!

Inquiring Minds Want To Know .....

Lynn

Back in the olden days ('70's) we tried these filters on our short track stock cars. The results were exactly zero change in lap times. They did allow more and bigger particles to enter the engines. Foam and oil filters were the tweak of the week for part of one season before everyone went back to quality paper filters. I used one on my street/autocross Opel Manta, but only because the stock filter housing wouldn't fit on the aftermarket Weber carb. I won't buy one for my Mercedes.

Blue Benz

This has been debated a lot. I'm still not sure what to believe. I think some did put a K & N air filter on his CLK55 and took it on the dyno and he gained around 5 horsepower. He had the dyno chart too, but I can't find it.

Randy B

In my use of these filters gains were minimal on the HP ratings, howver spool up times on turbos were always faster, would 2 to 3 tenths off of 1/4 mile times. Found the same on supercharged cars. Normally aspirated cars, I have never seen a performance gain with. I do buy them for all my vehicles though, as once you buy them and use them, you never buy another air filter again.

Vic55

Adam I believe I remember Mr. Vanos stating the gains are minimal on the AMG's (8-10 HP) and you probably wont notice the difference but as mentioned above- you can clean them and never have to replace them.

Mr. Vanos

Gains with an aftermarket air filter is about 10-12hp at the rear wheels. It's an inexpensive upgrade. Will you actually feel the difference...most likely not. Still, for $50-$55, 10hp is a no-brainer. While K&N filters (cotton gauze) draw in more air than standard paper filters, they also let more dirt and debris in than a foam filter. ITG filters are foam based (reticulated polyester foam) that draw as much air as the K&N but filter particles down to 10 microns. If you are wanting to replace your filter, I suggest an ITG when they are released. ITG filters are also reusable and do not require oiling. ITG filters for the E-Class will not be available for another 3 months.

JamE55

Mr. V

Where can i get more info on this ITG Filters?? Do they have a website?

Thanks!

awiner

JamE55, you can get them from EvoSport ...

JamE55

Ok thanx Adam!

awiner

10 - 12 hp at the rear wheels !?!?! Wow, that is like 20 - 30 hp at the crank. The stock filter(s) must really be restrictive.

Randy B

Mr. Vanos, I disagree with your 10 micron number for the K&N air filters. An independent testing showed filtering through 20 microns. Also the ITG filters are not available for anything outside of the C-Class cars in MB. So really not much of a choice out there for a direct drop in OEM replacement. And for the record I do not sell or work for K&N in anyway. K&N lists the testing in the FAQ section, and ITG has their's on the ITG website as well.

JamE55

So which one is better??

awiner

There is also another brand some people are using called "The Green Cotton Air Filter" from http://www.greenfilters.com/


Anyone ever seen/tried these ?

Their weboage states they filter down to 0.50 microns. Looks to be a compnay in the UK...

E55MKB

Adam:

10-12 rwhp does not equal 20-30 crank hp!
Well maybe if the rwhp was done with the hand/parking brake on he....he..

15-25% drive train loss is more likely depending on the car.

seandavis

I am also interested to see what the concensus was in this regard. Please let me know.

MosE55

I actually received the two K&N air filters for my 2001 E55 recently but am hesitating to install them since reading posts...Although I have had them on my previous car (325is) and enjoyed the throatier intake noise on acceleration, this whole business of more particulates getting through the filter (and therefore into the engine) is giving me some second thoughts...

Should I just send them back?!!?

E55 KEV

MosE55, did you ever install the K&N filters? What are the part number.

Anyone know if the ITG filters are now available for the E55? Thanks.

MosE55

E55 Kev,
Yeah, i decided to install them. I got the filters from Performance Products...don't know the part number but they had the correct ones.

I figured that I had them on my previous car for over 60,000 miles with no problems so I went ahead and put them in. After a few months, I checked the air intake downstream of the filter to see if there was any visible dust/particles/oil but it looked clean so I doubt if my original concern is really warranted. Will probably check it again soon just to make sure.

I did notice a very slight change in intake noise when I swapped them in, particularly at full throttle but I can't say that I notice it anymore...certainly not intrusive, pleasant growl when accelerating.

Good luck...

MosE55

E55 KEV

I think I will get them just for the intake growl. Can't have to much E55 growl! After driving your car awhile you get use to the newer sound, probably. Thanks.