Intake

[1994SubaruSVX]

the k&n probably gives you 1-3hp being realistic. the thing to remember is that you will get better airflow over stock without sucking in all that hot air.

using the stock paper filter as a base line i would say that the k&n gives you gains in cold weather and is probably a little better than stock in hot weather. the cone filter is probably good in cold weather too, but you will probably lose a little horsepower in hot humid weather.

it is just give and take. the k&n is virtually maintenance free. clean it every 10,000 miles i think and reoil it. paper you have to replace at basically every oil change. i dont know much about the cone filters durability.

[Landshark]

don't forget that K&N filters let fine dust into your engine. worth it? not to me.

Alan

[nvrmore100]

Originally posted by museumquality
not much of anything but a growl.

I have this exact kit from Motorsport
(their pic, too lazy to take my own):

http://www.motorsportwarehouse.com/c...Xintakekit.jpg

And yes, it doesn't nothing but give it a decent grunt stepping on it at about 60mph. In the nice hot 95+ degree days, im convinced it slows me down quite a bit, but still sounds good, so it stays.

Originally posted by Landshark
don't forget that K&N filters let fine dust into your engine. worth it? not to me.

Alan

you are correct, through these filters NEED to be properly oiled to be effective.

[elninoalex]

I have a custom made cold air intake for sale, off of my damaged car. I fabbed a MAF bracket and attached a 3" PVC tube going into the fenderwell. There is a 90 deg elbow going down and slightly forward. Then there is another short piece of tube and a K & N cone filter on the end drawing only cold air from inside the fender. Definately has a nice ring to it. Maybe a little more throttle response. For $50 I will ship it wherever. Thanks.

Stephen

[scoochv]

Stephen, you should have gotten in touch with me a month ago. =P

All I have in the engine bay is the k&n drawing in hot air (I know that now, and I got it for $40 more than you are offering, too!). Now that I am getting the exhaust installed, I do not know if I have the funds for it, but I am definitely interested in it.

I was planning on building a cold air box around it, but I do not know what the usual ones are made of. Buying one made for another car would only complicate that, because I wouldn't know how to bend and cut it correctly. Nonetheless, it's an idea that I might take into consideration sometime in the future =p

-scooch

[nvrmore100]

If you are building a housing, you are better off just buying a K&N dropin filter. The whole idea of the cone is allow more air to flow into the filter, the problem is that you have to segregate the hot air from the cold air. If you don't build an area bigger than your airbox, then you are wasting your time and effort.

[1994SubaruSVX]

catches as much if not more than any paper filter. they are the leading filter manufacturer for a reason.

Originally posted by scoochv
Stephen, you should have gotten in touch with me a month ago. =P

All I have in the engine bay is the k&n drawing in hot air (I know that now, and I got it for $40 more than you are offering, too!). Now that I am getting the exhaust installed, I do not know if I have the funds for it, but I am definitely interested in it.

I was planning on building a cold air box around it, but I do not know what the usual ones are made of. Buying one made for another car would only complicate that, because I wouldn't know how to bend and cut it correctly. Nonetheless, it's an idea that I might take into consideration sometime in the future =p

-scooch

I have an underhood cone style filter on my Eagle Talon. I boxed it in and saw a 40°F reduction in the exhaust gas temperature, which presumably means that the intake air was that much cooler. Don't worry too much about how to make one - for mine I just cut up thick corrugated cardboard and installed it with duct tape . I never did get round to doing it properly and, since we are now installing new turbo, front mount intercooler, new exhaust, etc (this is the Stage 28 rebuild!) I never will do it properly. Just make sure that you get cold air from the fenderwell into the boxed off area. There is (I think, I don't have an SVX yet although I have the local dealer hunting across Canada for me) a resonator/silencer in the fenderwell which is probably quite restrictive. Take this out as well.

Originally posted by elninoalex
I have a custom made cold air intake for sale, off of my damaged car. I fabbed a MAF bracket and attached a 3" PVC tube going into the fenderwell. There is a 90 deg elbow going down and slightly forward. Then there is another short piece of tube and a K & N cone filter on the end drawing only cold air from inside the fender. Definately has a nice ring to it. Maybe a little more throttle response. For $50 I will ship it wherever. Thanks.

Stephen

Stephen,
Is this still available? I'd be interested. Do you happen to have a pic of the setup. Sounds like an Injen setup I had on a Nissan 240sx a while back.

Thanks
Chris

[oab_au]

Originally posted by 1994SubaruSVX
catches as much if not more than any paper filter. they are the leading filter manufacturer for a reason.

If they are so good, Why don't the Auto designers use them as standard.? May be they respect the internals more than the after market boys do.
Harvey.

[lee]

may do more harm than you expect. Not sure on the SVX, but some types of air flow sensors get coated with the oil from over zealous oiling. If the SVX heats the wire hot enough to "boil" off the oil then no problem. I think the oiled filters were great with carb engines, not so sure for modern sensors and injection systems.

I can't speak to filtering quality, but the OEMs would not use a K&N style due to cost in materials and production time. Plus there's warranty issues from improper maintenance. It's a lot easier to tell the average driver to replace every XXXX miles than explain how to properly clean and oil a filter.

Along those lines, I have heard Americans (on average) are the worst nationality for following proper preventive maintenance intervals. Anybody know a source for study results along these lines?

[1994SubaruSVX]

in regards to sensors. i do know that the GT SCCA cars use K&N style filters and I am sure those cars are pretty hi-tech.

these filters are pretty idiot proof. my only point is you get a lot more air flow with a lot less fuss. go any route you want but the K&N filter is a better value with less fuss for the money.

[lee]

What I was warning about is what I perceive as a common American viewpoint: If some is good, and more is better, then too much must be just right.

My concern was that too much oil would result in the excess being sucked out of the filter, coating the airflow sensor, and confusing the computer - actually degrading performance.

I run a K&N on my Norton Commando - which is somewhat more irreplaceable to me than the SVX. Maybe not the best thing to say on this board, but then I've had my SVX 8 months, Norton for 27 years - with a K&N on it since it's first month.

[wawazat??]

Originally posted by lee
My concern was that too much oil would result in the excess being sucked out of the filter, coating the airflow sensor, and confusing the computer - actually degrading performance.

Lee,

I have heard of numerous cases of MAF sensor failures on new VW vehicles attributed to K&N filters. A local dealership here in MI has actually refused warranty coverage on these failed sensors due to non-factory parts. Please don't flame me on this, or post the warranty act, I know the story behind them and wanted to tell you what has happened. I believe the problem to be over-oiling as you state above.

I have also had a K&N filter on many vehicles over the years (carbuerated and FI) and have been pleased with the results.

Harvey (oab_au) can I ask why you view these filters with suspicion? I've seen you post about them a before but didn't ask. I respect your knowledge and experience and I'd like to hear your take on them. I tend to agree with lee in his take on the added expense (I have worked in and now supply the auto industry in Detroit) and poor maintenance capabilities of the average American motorist.

Thanks,
Todd