I dunno...I tried this out before finally getting the K&N FIPK and I wasn't too impressed. It was a lot of work for no performance and a very slight change in sound.

 

Before my s2k had 100 miles on it, I put in a K&N filter. If you want to experience the benefits of the K&N, try what I did. I took my almost new stock filter, put the conecting end to my mouth and blew air into it. I felt the resistance. Then, I tried the same thing with the K&N. Almost zero resistance.

If you want to see pics of my total air intake mods, look at p. 27 under the "AUT radiator cooling plate and CAI" which is among the sponsored group buys section of this board.

Thanks,
Richard

 

if you guys didnt notice, i think he said he took OFF his airbox. like removed it. so its like a exposed k&n shortram.

 

Yeah, you are right. That's what he said.

Now that raises a question in my mind about this mod. If he doesn't have a heat shield like the K&N FPIK does, isn't he just drawing very hot air from the flow through the radiator?

Thanks,
Richard

 

You are right. I just noticed this little subtle point. I thought he meant he just took off the lid.
I think, on the most part, exposed short ram intakes like this work well until the engine bay heats up. Once you start sucking in 70 degree air, there goes the joy.

 

Well, it would appear to be step BACKWARDS in the search for a way to get cool air to our engine to have an exposed filter right in the rear airstream of the radiator, which is what you get if you use stock parts and just romove the box. Am I missing something here?

Thanks,
Richard

 

I installed a K&N replacement filter @ 5K and while I notice no increase in power I will never have to replace it. Just clean and oil

 

well basically i was just wondering if im losing power or hurting my car

 

With the K&N filter, there is no way that this alone will hurt your car or make it lose power. It is a less restrictive filter than stock, so it alone should add a very slight bit more power and give a bit better gas mileage. As with any air intake mod, it may take number of miles for the ECU to adjust to it, and give you these benefits.

But completely removing the stock airbox and adding nothing else may not hurt the car, but it will make you lose power, unless you live in a VERY cold climate, indeed. This is because the cooler the air to the intake, the better. Removing the airbox, and leaving the filter "bare" in the stock location places the filter (therefore the intake area) right in back of the radiator, where the hot air coming out of the back of the radiator is what is reaching the intake. This will reduce performance and gas mileage.

Thanks,
Richard

 

There is a reason for the lower resistance, and that is less filtration. There was a review on here a year or two ago comparing the amount of dust getting through various filters (sorry, don't have the link anymore) and, no surprise, the K&N let dust through like it was open space. Take your pict, more flow and only filter out small birds and big rocks, or less flow and protect your engine :-)