R U Considering a K&N air filter?

**Rain** · 10-24-05, 11:56 AM

I've only had my C5 since December of last year, and I am enjoying every minute of drive time. The prev. owner did not tell me it had a K&N Filter on it and only when it came time to change, did I discover one in there.
I didn't have a cleaning kit for it so I replaced it with a paper filter.

Immediately I noticed that top end throttle response was sluggish. Passing on the interstate was now a chore. Going from 65 - 80 mph took several seconds. etc etc etc

So I picked up a cleaning kit last week when I changed the oil and the next day had the K&N back in the C5.
This past weekend I had a gig in Ruston, LA and took the C5 (31mpg coming and going AND Premium fuel is $2.79 here) and my top end throttle response has returned. Instant SOTP (seat of the pants) response every time I asked for it.

I am a firm believer in the K&N these days
Rain

**jrose7004** · 10-24-05, 02:22 PM

I clean mine with Simple Green and recharge it with a mixure of mineral oil and alcohol and it works great!

**BarryK** · 10-24-05, 02:59 PM

Rain
if you are happy with your K&N than fine, keep using it but when I was considering switching to a K&N on my car I researched around a bit and from what I learned i'll never use one. A lot of what changed my mind on them came from JohnZ on this site.
K&N can market as an improvement in HP because of increased airflow. Well, that's great but physics is physics and you can NOT get an increase in airflow without REDUCING the amount of filtration. In other words, the K&N filters actually do less filtering than a basic paper element filter.
According to John, the Viper plant did a test on various air filters for use in the Vipers and based on their findings they did not use the K&N filters for this reason. Why use a air filter at all if it's not going to do a good job of what it's designed for which is filtering the air compared to much less expensive filters.
I'm actually surprised that you are feeling as much of a difference in seat of the pants feeling on the cars power as you are. it really makes me wonder if when the previous owner added the K&N if they didn't do some other tuning on the car or a reprogrammed chip to take advantage of the increased airflow and by switching back to a standard filter element it's throwing off that other tuning in some way.

oh well, just my observation and unsolicited opinion.
since your happy with the K&N I'm sure you will be staying with it anyway.

**Rain** · 10-24-05, 03:35 PM

I too wondered if he had any tuning done. (BUSCH series NASCAR driver)
But he did not mention any engine mods when I asked prior to buying the car from him last year.

"Alls I know" is that with that filter back in the car, I have much more top end acceleration than what I had with the paper filter.

FWIW, I have a Breathless Vortex Rammer RAM air box sitting in my garage but not sure I will install it based on the response I now get with the K&N.

avacorvette · 10-25-05, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Rain

I too wondered if he had any tuning done. (BUSCH series NASCAR driver)
But he did not mention any engine mods when I asked prior to buying the car from him last year.

"Alls I know" is that with that filter back in the car, I have much more top end acceleration than what I had with the paper filter.

FWIW, I have a Breathless Vortex Rammer RAM air box sitting in my garage but not sure I will install it based on the response I now get with the K&N.

Rain
I bought mine about 1 1/2 years ago and it had a K&N filter on it also. My ? is I took it out and cleaned and charged it but forgot which way is up, flat side or corragated??? Do you remember.
thanks for any help

**Rain** · 10-25-05, 12:56 PM

no, dont remember.
I grabbed the paper one out of the Vette and just made sure the K&N was positioned the same way.

**LLC5** · 10-25-05, 10:28 PM

I would guess your paper filter was highly restricted. Was it AC Delco? A K&N filter by itself will not make your car noticeably faster.

**vjones** · 10-25-05, 10:58 PM

What intake have you heard that is one of the best??? I have a 05 C6 vert

**GusVette** · 10-25-05, 11:36 PM

I've had a K&N on mine since December '03. No problems. I'm up to 20k miles now.
Gus

**Rain** · 10-26-05, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by vjones

What intake have you heard that is one of the best??? I have a 05 C6 vert

If $ was no option, right now I'd go with the Callaway Honker. Seems to be generating good test results these days.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...54&forum_id=53

(one for sale there)

Not that any one is the BEST. But I've watched the "flavor of the month" go from K&N, to dual cone, to warhead, to Vortex Rammer, to Vararam, to Blackwing and then back to Vararam...

so its really a matter of taste I guess.

**Pac-man** · 10-28-05, 11:42 PM

Two more reasons team Viper chose a paper element are the two only real reasons, the same reasons all auto manufacturers choose them. Low cost and emisions standards.

**Rain** · 10-29-05, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by LLC5

I would guess your paper filter was highly restricted. Was it AC Delco? A K&N filter by itself will not make your car noticeably faster.

I know what you are saying. (it was the AC Delco paper filter)
And filter alone does not make my car go faster.. but when I hit the gas, it goes from 45-95 twice as quickly as it did with the paper filter.
High RPM response is like night and day and thats the only way I can explain it.