Cheap mod.. Air filter, worth doing?

[greysquirrel]

Hi,
Im looking for a cheap upgrade to give a little more bhp if possible and to make a better sound etc..
Is it worth getting a K+N air filter for about £30? What will it do, anything?
Thanks.

[bogie]

panel or cone filter? both will give a couple of bhp...cone filter will sound good

[greysquirrel]

yeah as soon as i posted i noticed they had 2 in stock, the cone one seems to be more an induction kit and is about £100 but the one for £30 is just a replacement flat filter to go in the standard air box..

[bogie]

I had a panel filter in my old supercharged K series - flowed enough air for 230bhp...but very quiet.

If you want noise and a few bhp you really need the full on induction kit - the Hurricane is a popular choice....about £150 though

[beachbum]

Does anyone what is the BEST induction kit ?
Hurricane seems good for the price, but the ITG seems to get rave reviews from all that install it. The price is about double the Hurricanes if I remember correctly. It it worth that much more though

[bogie]

all the cone filters are pretty much the same...do a search on here for loads of info...basically you are looking at 3-4bhp from a closed induction kit...dont believe the marketing hype.

Id get a Hurricane - best VFM...if you have plenty of cash and want the carbon look, then get the ITG if it takes youre fancy...but dont spend £350 on one expecting it to give 2x as much as the £150 jobbie

[gooby]

I dont bthink mutch of K&N filters. They do not remove the smaller particulates very effectivly. Personally I like my engine too much to use a K&N. (saying that my wifes pajero came with a K&N and I clean it every 4-5 weeks so far it is ok, I still dont like it!)

[Rob350]

I ended up with the Hurricane, which sounds good and does give a couple of extra bhp (not that you will every really tell the difference). Trouble with the KN option is that you are breathing very hot (and therefore thin) air and that reduces bhp.

[gooby]

Rob350 said:

I ended up with the Hurricane, which sounds good and does give a couple of extra bhp (not that you will every really tell the difference). Trouble with the KN option is that you are breathing very hot (and therefore thin) air and that reduces bhp.

That is an interesting point. A poorly set up "breathing kit" can be detremental. How well the unit filters is not the only critera, the quality of the air it gathers is just as important.

[cuzza]

Rob350 said:

I ended up with the Hurricane, which sounds good and does give a couple of extra bhp (not that you will every really tell the difference). Trouble with the KN option is that you are breathing very hot (and therefore thin) air and that reduces bhp.

Very hot? Doubtful. Once the car is moving the air temperature won't be a whole lot warmer than ambient.

FWIW air is 9% denser at 16°C than at 49°C. If you think that's going to make any difference to the performance on a standard or realtively standard engine then you're mistaken.

In case you hadn't guessed, I don't buy the whole "induction kit improved my car 3000%" type argument.

In summary, if you want it louder, get a K&N induction kit, if you like pretty things in the engine bay get a Hurricane, if you've got more money than sense get the ITG

[S Works]

cuzza said:

Rob350 said: I ended up with the Hurricane, which sounds good and does give a couple of extra bhp (not that you will every really tell the difference). Trouble with the KN option is that you are breathing very hot (and therefore thin) air and that reduces bhp. Very hot? Doubtful. Once the car is moving the air temperature won't be a whole lot warmer than ambient. FWIW air is 9% denser at 16°C than at 49°C. If you think that's going to make any difference to the performance on a standard or realtively standard engine then you're mistaken. In case you hadn't guessed, I don't buy the whole "induction kit improved my car 3000%" type argument. In summary, if you want it louder, get a K&N induction kit, if you like pretty things in the engine bay get a Hurricane, if you've got more money than sense get the ITG

In real terms you'll not notice a huge improvement. With the Hurricane I did notice better throttle response especially higher up the revs. The induction note though is just sublime.

The sound thing is markedly different depending on if you go K&N (more mechanical rasp, like a porker) or the enclosed Hurricane/IG (deep, throaty progressive roar).

Per bogie - £ for £ you can't beat the Huzza!

[greysquirrel]

Tks for all the info guys, popped into local halfords (lol) just to see if they had any, said they could order a k+n for £45 but I would have to tell my insurance company? Surely true on a crappy corsa where it might actually make the car get into second gear but surely insurance co's expect a performance car to have performance air filters? I dont have to tell them I have pumped up the tyres so can now corner a little faster! ?? Is this correct?

[jke11y]

Im not sure about the insurance, but I am interested in the air a k&n sucks in - I have one on my car (came with it) and it is the cone version with the big pipe to the TB, and the airbox etc removed. There is also what looks like extractor hood ducting coming from the side air vent. But it doesnt point at the cone, it droops down, this a problem? Anyone got any pics of how theirs is set up?

[Davey S1]

You will have to tell them. Well you dont have to but if you dont they can and probably will try to refuse any claim as you have modified your car without telling them.

[greysquirrel]

? really, ok then... but will it make any difference to the premium?

[cuzza]

If it's a K&N panel filter for the airbox, you don't need to tell them. If it's an induction kit then you do.

Depends who you're with Footman James want £50 per mod! Competition Car have a more sensible approach to stuff like Induction kits and exhausts etc.

[S Works]

jke11y said:

Im not sure about the insurance, but I am interested in the air a k&n sucks in - I have one on my car (came with it) and it is the cone version with the big pipe to the TB, and the airbox etc removed. There is also what looks like extractor hood ducting coming from the side air vent. But it doesnt point at the cone, it droops down, this a problem? Anyone got any pics of how theirs is set up?

To be fully effective the ducting should end up over, or right in front of the cone. If it's hanging down get some cable ties and route it next to the roll-bar and mount close to the filter.