K&N filters worth the money?

Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on whether its worth spending the extra money on the cabin/engine K&N air filters, or just by the common cheaper ones and swap them regularly?

 

No. Garbage.

Stick to OEM.

 

There is nothing to gain from using one on the Tacoma other than intake noise, if you like the noise then go for it.

 

Coming from a few turbo cars, the engine filters seemed to be worth it to improve lag. The TW wisedom says that they aren't needed for our needs here. Folks have done dyno tests with the OEM filter and no filter, getting the same results. There is a thread around here about it.

I would definitely recommend the cabin filter though. I just received mine last night and am going to update my thread about it:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/k-n-pollen-filter-compared-to-oem.565769/

The OEM cabin filter is crap and none of the alternatives look like they will do any better.

 

Thanks! more money for MODS then!

 

Quality cheaper ones, (Toyota, Purolator, Wix, etc)

Change per owners manual.

 

This reminds me, I need to check on my air filter after some dirt roading (per the manual).
Is there an scenario where washable K&N filters are advantageous? If you do a lot of desert roading??

 

Its only 50 bucks and you only have to clean it every 50k. I'm giving it a shot.

 

We have some mighty fine dust here in the summers. The stock CAI in the wheel well seemed to do a great job at only sucking in decently dust free air. The cabin filter was another problem though. Not as well designed as the engine intake.

 

I had one for my Expedition I had mainly for the gas mileage it said it would help with. But yes, not having to change it for 50K was a great point as well.

 

Have you done it before? For me, it's a pain. Take out, wash out, dry, oil, but don't over oil. But don't under-do it, either. Then get some Simple Green to clean up all the oil splatter. Then store cleaning/oiling bottles until next time. And remember, it's UP TO 50k miles. It specifically says you may need cleaning done sooner depending on driving condition. I would do it at least once a year, regardless of mileage. And more if you off-road a lot.

Yeah, no, thanks. I'll take a fresh new OEM or NAPA Gold/Wix filter. No messing with cleaning, drying, oils. Pop it in and be on my way.

 

I just ditched my K&N intake system and went this route.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/different-approach-to-a-snorkel.266449/

No thanks to oiling a filter anymore and letting the engine suck that air/oil mix into it. Went back to paper filter. Believe it or not this route is quieter than the intake system even though it sucks air right next to the cabin filter.

 

No

 

Eh. I do not mind servicing K&N filters. I always kept stock air filters around to swap in while I was letting the K&Ns completely dry out. The only problems that I have had is that they could include a bigger spray bottle of the oil and that when I tried the squeeze bottle of oil, getting an even application was too much of a pain.

If the Taco would have benefited from one, I would have gone that route.

 

OP

I put one in my 98 and when I got my 01 I used the same filter in it, didn't buy an air filter for 18 years, the kid that lives local here that has my 01 Taco is still running the KN drop in that I bought for my 98, 20 years ago.

If you plan on keeping your Taco for many years then Yes, the KN drop in is well worth the money, you wont ever have to buy another filter as long as you have the vehicle.

I put one in my 16 Taco in the first week. Been using them in all of my vehicles for years, you'll save money in the long run.

The key is to never over oil the filter, do that and you'll never have a problem with the MAF.

 

Only the cabin filter. Mine works great.

G.

 

nyet

 

My supercharged 4cyl likes the K&N CAI

 

Damn that's cool. Got any pics?

 

This is my buddy's who gave me the idea and forwarded me the link.
Also frees up that space for an air compressor or battery or whatever else you want to cram under the hood.