Performance High Flow Air Filter. Help needed!!!

AFE dry flow or AEM dryflow filters at great. No oil required, just clean and air dry and done

 

Hey guys contrary to what you guys say....the k&n doesn't do much on street driving, but on highway it does help save some gas, on a 1/4 tank I went 158 miles which is pretty good considering...that's highway...the street it makes no difference, Cruz it really kicks in at between 900-1200 rpm

 

Until it saturates the maf sensor

 

A number credible studies are cited on this forum and others, pointing out the difference in filtering efficiency between paper media filters and all others (K&N, TRD, AFE etc) I don't dispute the findings of those studies no more than I dispute the data supporting "global warming" (LOL). What I have a hard time with, in direct contradiction to the study data, is the real life usage of paper vs "other" media applications. Many well financed, professionally staffed, off road race teams (trophy truck, including Toyota), sprint car, NASCAR, carting, etc. embrace alternative filter media. Even WIX markets a wire/gauze performance filter for enhanced CFM flow rates. I don't dispute the findings of the "filter guy" or anyone else who has documented and measured particulate matter, filter variances between different medias. But, it seems to me, that alternative filter media in motor sports are subject to some of the most adverse filtering environments and perform better than paper, or those "big dollar" race team would just use paper. To be sure, some do use paper, but, alternative media seems to prevail in motorsports of all persuasions. I think that for 99.9% of the 150,000 Tacomas's sold last year, the use of a K&N, TRD, AFE or other alternative media filter, won't shorten engine life by plus or minus a 100 miles. (professional race teams may have more invested in an engine that we have invested in the whole truck). If you're a filter data guy, buy paper. If you only want to buy one filter for the life of your truck (which will likely run as long and go as far as the filter data guy) buy an alternative media filter.

 

But its a difference, to me however you look or measure it, I am not that proficient with all the data crap but, but I do appreciate all the knowledge on here keeps my truck running good.....thanks fellas

 

I have a K&N with about 5k miles on it that I took out last year. I'll sell it for $25 + shipping if anyone wants it. I'm sticking with OEM.

 

Someone be drinking the koolaide

 

Cat-back exhaust + headers would be one area to start, though I have no first hand experience with that on the 4.0. I've done both on a built up 22RE and noticed a difference, but again, different engine.

What professional race companies do and what daily drivers do should not be synonymous. A couple peak gain at wide open throttle maybe worth it to a company thats soul purpose is to win and is pressured to do so by their sponsors. They also have the means to rebuild their engines between races. Racing the Baja 500 or 1000 at WOT near redline will cause significant wear and tear. The truck just needs to make it through the 500 or 1000 miles as fast as possible, then can be rebuilt. Most of us want our trucks to make it 200,000+ miles. Significantly different objectives. I'm not saying a cloth filter will destroy your engine, I've run them in cars past but now choose not to, however do not look to racing as the guide of what to do unless you have equally as deep pockets.

 

K&N and other companies pushing filter upgrades also toss a lot of money to those race teams. Of course they're going to use the product, they're being paid to do so.

 

Let's put it this way...I ran a K & N drop in filter for a while, cleaned it religiously and oiled it as best I could and followed all the directions to T....when I bumped up to a TRD intake, I pulled the stock air box off and just happened to look at my throttle body....spent another 30 minutes cleaning all the dirty oil off of everything. God knows how much had gotten in to the engine.

 

I have read the daily diary reports from the Paris to Dakar race where a new air filter daily was required from the extreme dust loading. I am pulling out a nearly white filter every year at 15k miles, with the biggest loading from small leaves that got sucked in. We don't need to be concerned with having the highest amount of dust loading capability in normal use environments. Now, if I am plowing 10k acres with a double turbocharged diesel tractor, drinking 200 gallons of diesel a day, then a giant, easily cleanable filter is important...

 

What professional race companies do and what daily drivers do should not be synonymous. A couple peak gain at wide open throttle maybe worth it to a company thats soul purpose is to win and is pressured to do so by their sponsors. They also have the means to rebuild their engines between races. Racing the Baja 500 or 1000 at WOT near redline will cause significant wear and tear. The truck just needs to make it through the 500 or 1000 miles as fast as possible, then can be rebuilt. Most of us want our trucks to make it 200,000+ miles. Significantly different objectives. I'm not saying a cloth filter will destroy your engine, I've run them in cars past but now choose not to, however do not look to racing as the guide of what to do unless you have equally as deep pockets.[/QUOTE]

You are correct - it's "what professional race companies do"; as the parts that they develop, test and certify for their performance objectives do find a way to impact our daily drivers. Their advancements in suspension, tires and wheels, fuel management etc etc etc, quite often find their way into the aftermarket - "race bred", win on Sunday, sell on Monday. A quick review of the TW venders list is a who's who of manufactures of performance parts that want you to believe that by using their stuff on your daily driver, it will in fact be synonymous with their performance claims and racing heritage, and quite often is. I agree, using an alternative media air filter will not likely have any discernible difference in engine life if it maintained, not unlike replacing the paper filter as needed. Too much ado over really nothing. If the engine in my Tacoma "fails" as a result of using a K&N air filter, hell, I'll just go buy another Tacoma - LOL

 

Just curious ..... who makes the Toyota TRD drop in the stock box filter ?

do those need to be oiled as well ?

 

Iirc AFE

 

I have put K&N filters in my motorcycles, cars and trucks. They improve gas mileage and engine breathing. My 2003 F150's gas mileage in town went up by nearly 10% from 15 to almost 16 to 16.5. If you oil the filter LIGHTLY and let it rest in the sun for an hour before installing you won't have many problems. I have less than 1,000 miles on my new Tacoma and at the last fill up my overall mileage is 18.9 and gaining. I have heard everything that has been said, do your research and make a decision on your research. I swear by K&N's others swear at them. Remember, opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one and this is just a forum of opinions.

 

So are u saying Bob is king butthole?

 

im almost positive that k&n makes them (or afe), and yes they need to be oiled

 

On this premise a free flowing exhaust doesn't help either. An engine is simply an air pump, the easier the air flows in and out the more efficient it is. But there is so much more, exhaust system is the size of the exhaust for your HP range, too big or too small doesn't do anything for the vehicle. You also have to tune the exhaust for the power pulses etc.. An intake that doesn't snake around and have 17 bends and allows a cooler air charge and breath easier so it doesn't have to suck so hard to get the air in helps A free flowing air filter and exhaust no matter who's helps torque, hp and gas mileage. I worked for the auto industry before the Navy and am an engineer for the auto industry now. Again, everyone has an opinion, listen (or read), research and verify the data, then make a judgement on YOUR wants and needs. Thant's my opinion and yes I have a butt hole too.