Hey guys I was wondering what exactly is it about the K&N fipk that makes power? I understand going from the oem old dirty filter to a new k&n filter could make a difference, but it just seems exactly the same as the oem intake just without a lid....? The intake arm looks exactly the same and the 'box' it creates cant be better than the oem box at blocking out heat. Also it seems the oem box will still be better as itll have that air guide horn thing in the front to better collect air. Someone fill me in...

 

yea but the k & n has three sides on it, the open side pointing towards passenger fender. Air can circulate there plus there is more volume of air that can surround the element

 

The K&N filter is also a high flow filter that is less restrictive than the stock paper filter. Some will say that the reduced filtration is not worth it but I've read many debates about how K&N optimizes filtration and flow. It seems that in the long run, the reduced filtration isn't too significant cause K&N is still in business after all. The intake arm on the OEM box also has pleats that causes the flow of air to be turbulent inside the tube (while the K&N arm is a smooth tube). These things all help to provide a different sound in vtec (search youtube for clips) and WOT (a deep tone), as well as a very noticeable gain throttle response. I haven't dyno'd the car so I can't say anything about gains, but butt dyno says yes

 

Thats what I was saying though, im thinking that 99% of the reason the FIPK claims to make power is that its going from a dirty stock paper filter to a high flowing filter like K&N. Im also pretty sure the intake arm is smooth on the inside, the only reason its like that on the outside is to reduce noise, I could be wrong though. I know the sound is sweet and everything but im just curious as to where the 'power' comes from.

 

I've checked the OEM control arm and it is not smooth all the way on the inside. I was considering gutting my stock airbox because I thought it would be similar to a K&N setup but for the price of a K&N filter ($45) and gutting my airbox....I just picked up a used one for ~$160. It cleans up your engine bay, shaves some weight off, probably 7-8lbs.

 

i have a gutted air box and kandn filter and i love mine it sounds just like the fpik

 

I highly doubt your oem box sounds like the fipk, unless you also removed the lid which is a bad idea anyways. The fipk is even louder than the stock airbox with the lid off.

 

its pretty loud my buddy has the fpik his is a lil louder but not much of cource i caint here mine any way cause of my exhaust