3.3TT K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake System versus K&N air filter replacement

[ScottM]

I'm actually one of those, as of late, "leave the car as stock as you can engine wise because once you do one thing, then another...then you're broke" kind of guys. I could see myself doing the CAI or even something more elaborate, then I'd like it for a a month or so and then do something else. I need to think about starting to plan for the planning of retirement sometime.

For me, the drop in's did the trick. As I mentioned, you're not breaking records and the hp gain... maybe, but I think it's more about a little more throttle response and a simple addition.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

I'm actually one of those, as of late, "leave the car as stock as you can engine wise because once you do one thing, then another...then you're broke" kind of guys. I could see myself doing the CAI or even something more elaborate, then I'd like it for a a month or so and then do something else. I need to think about starting to plan for the planning of retirement sometime.

For me, the drop in's did the trick. As I mentioned, you're not breaking records and the hp gain... maybe, but I think it's more about a little more throttle response and a simple addition.

After all the responses here, I’m on the ... I’m going to join the bandwagon, again.

 

[Weareblondi]

I wouldn't buy them if you're looking for a performance increase. I didn't notice any change.

I've actually just purchased new intakes so the drop ins will be getting stored soon.

well, you are partly right, but, in conjunction (wow, i finally have been able to use that word from junior high school) with a tune and an exhaust upgrade, thats when you would see the best power increase. more air + better tune + better exhausting of spent gasses = crap loads of power. if that wasn't the case, get rid of the turbos, and the dual exhaust, they aren't needed.

 

[NobleCrow]

so I'm going to ask the noob question.

If CAI systems are better closed in, why do so many companies make them open air? for looks?

 

[Kamauxx]

well, you are partly right, but, in conjunction (wow, i finally have been able to use that word from junior high school) with a tune and an exhaust upgrade, thats when you would see the best power increase. more air + better tune + better exhausting of spent gasses = crap loads of power. if that wasn't the case, get rid of the turbos, and the dual exhaust, they aren't needed.

Nope. I have had exhaust and JB4 tune for just as long as the drop-ins.

Still I noticed no difference from the drop-ins. Maybe I'm just immune to the placebo effect.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Please correct me if I'm wrong....
I have understood that more HPs, less MPG (illogical to think otherwise), and the ECUs will do all the adjustments necessary in order to mantain the air/fuel ratio 14 and fraccion parts of air to one part of fuel, invariably.
So, more air entering to the combustion chamber, more fuel will be injected....the cold air is more dense so will push harder to the piston and hence more engine power.
We do not purchase this kind of car thinking in MPG alone, it matters but it's not the main reason to buy this car.
In my particular case, Mexico, the fuel has reached an exorbitant price. So, it seems that the K&N CAI decreses the MPG over the K&N air filter replacements.

I would appreciate the comments of those who have installed one or the other air filter system and the MPG

Your reasoning sounds correct, but unfortunately the answer isnt as simple as more HP=less MPG.

Simply because an upgrade gives your engine the ability to make more HP doesn’t mean it’s automatically using more fuel. Two huge factors you must consider. How effective the upgrade is at making more power, and how much more efficient your engine is at making more power with the upgrade.

Another words, if the CAI upgrade makes an extra 15HP, the engine does less work(using less fuel) to achieve the same acceleration. So in theory you can have more HP, and improve MPG by having the engine breath easier(better efficiency). I personally noticed better gas mileage since I installed my DIY intake system with heat shielding(similar to K&N Typhoon). The tough part is not being tempted to use that extra power all the time!

Its also unfair to compare drop-in K&Ns to any CAI/SRI system. Unfortunately, there are no documented improvements in HP or MPG when using K&N drop-in filters. They may provide slightly better airflow, but since the stock airbox is very restrictive the improvements would likely be undetectable.

The intention of the drop-in K&N is simply to have a reusable filter, not to increase MPG or HP. However, the purpose high-flow cone filters is to improve engine efficiency which in turn improves HP and MPG.

PS: It may sound illogical too, but RaceChip and other ECU upgrades actually claim up to 20% MPG improvements because of the "efficiency" I described above. Per RC="The GTS Black increases the torque available and efficiency at the given engine speed. Therefore a higher gear can be selected, less gear-changing is necessary in general, and fuel is used more efficiently. As a result, your car's MPG can be increased by up to +20%."

Hope this helps and happy tuning!

 

[StungBlueGT2]

so I'm going to ask the noob question.
If CAI systems are better closed in, why do so many companies make them open air? for looks?

Multiple reasons. CAI systems are much harder to design and fit into stock engine bays. They also use custom and/or more elaborate ducting so cost is dramatically higher when compared to straight SRI(short-ram intakes). Lastly, the documented power increases from many different dynos show very similar gains.
Open filter intakes:
K&N Typhoon=+9WHP, Tork MS intake=+16WHP, My DIY intakes=+15ButtHP
CAI systems:
Stillen=+15WHP, Jonny Tig=+15WHP

IMHO I think the CAIs will perform better overall, but most tuners prefer "bang for the buck", or simply want a better profit margin for the sales side of it.

Hope this helps and happy tuning!

 

[Weareblondi]

Nope. I have had exhaust and JB4 tune for just as long as the drop-ins.

Still I noticed no difference from the drop-ins. Maybe I'm just immune to the placebo effect.

Interesting, I have the racechip black, regapped hks plugs, stock exhaust and the power increase is notable by quite a large margin. Not saying that it has increased hp to stratospheric proportions, it's the torque that I feel more now. Launches harder, nailing it from 50 mph, the car squats more. I am hoping that with an exhaust and an intake, it will be more. It could also be the 10 lbs I have dropped because my wallet is emptier now. Not sure bro, usually, when you get more air in, gasses out and turn in the engine for peak performance, you should be able to feel it. Or, it could be that you have driven faster cars and this isn't doing it for you. I hope you realize I am just goofing on you, I do not mean any disrespect towards you.

 

[Kamauxx]

Interesting, I have the racechip black, regapped hks plugs, stock exhaust and the power increase is notable by quite a large margin. Not saying that it has increased hp to stratospheric proportions, it's the torque that I feel more now. Launches harder, nailing it from 50 mph, the car squats more. I am hoping that with an exhaust and an intake, it will be more. It could also be the 10 lbs I have dropped because my wallet is emptier now. Not sure bro, usually, when you get more air in, gasses out and turn in the engine for peak performance, you should be able to feel it. Or, it could be that you have driven faster cars and this isn't doing it for you. I hope you realize I am just goofing on you, I do not mean any disrespect towards you.

You're talking about the drop-in panel filters not the complete system, right?

I wish I had such a huge change. I definitely wouldn't be swapping em out.

 

[Weareblondi]

haven't seen anyone with the drop in panels write in yet. everybody has either swapped out the panels for the cones, or has done a complete CAI.

 

[GT2inSeattle]

I’m considering the K&N Drop In Filters. Have those, like Kamauxx, been happy with their choice? Other than being washable and reusable do you notice anything at all? If I do it now I’m just throwing away two perfectly fine filters. Should I just wait till it’s time to change them? So many questions...
Thanks for any advice.

I had the K&N Drop-in filter on my 2.0T on my Optima SX. Worked great and I'll be buying them for the GT2 as well. And I can only speak from personal observation but the filter swap did seem to help engine performance and pickup a bit with the 2.0T on the Optima.