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Opinion K&N vs aFe

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by halfway72, Mar 28, 2012.

  1. Mar 28, 2012 at 4:51 PM
    #1
    halfway72

    halfway72 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Cosmetic stuff.... best part HomerTaco Raptor Grille. Need to get a lift, armor and lockers.
    Hey guys. I've always been partial to K&N but I see a lot of talk of aFE on here. I've never used or purchase aFE. What is the general consensus on this?? :confused:
     
  2. Mar 28, 2012 at 4:53 PM
    #2
    Tacomanator

    Tacomanator Well-Known Member

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    King 2.5" extended travel coilovers with compression adjusters, Camburg UCA's, King 2.5" rear shocks, TRD 1st gen CAI.
    Drop in filters or CAI? I've had a KN drop in since I first got my truck, no probs yet.
     
  3. Mar 28, 2012 at 4:57 PM
    #3
    NEAScott

    NEAScott Well-Known Member

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    In terms of a drop-in filter, oiled vs oiled, zero difference. AFE does offer the dry filter that does not use oil, thus easier maintenance. Also some debate on the oil fouling sensors, but that tends to be more operator error by over-oiling it after a cleaning. Green offers their oiled filter that has a small production difference giving it a larger filter area when compared to the other brands.

    CAI kits will vary by general design. K&N is nearly all open element style, where AFE is open element as well, but has enclosed units available for some applications.
     
  4. Mar 28, 2012 at 4:59 PM
    #4
    worthywads

    worthywads Well-Known Member

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  5. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:01 PM
    #5
    jtgroce

    jtgroce Got R Did

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    I've always used K&N air filters and love'em........i think it boils down to your preference in some ways
     
  6. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:03 PM
    #6
    YFZ450MOE

    YFZ450MOE When you blow off steam you get an eyepatch

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    I bought an afe a few months back and it didn't bolt up right, one of the holes for the filter surrounding area wasn't even close. Turned me off of afe, next one will probly be k&n. And the filter is loud as hell and rattles in the engine compartment.
     
  7. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:08 PM
    #7
    cintocrunch

    cintocrunch Special Substitute Guest Member

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    I have had multiple K&N products and the fit and finish was perfect...I don't care much for oiling the filter so if I decide to get an intake for the Taco (for sound ONLY, just like on my other vehicles) I will give aFe a shot...
     
  8. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:29 PM
    #8
    halfway72

    halfway72 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Cosmetic stuff.... best part HomerTaco Raptor Grille. Need to get a lift, armor and lockers.
    I don't expect power or higher mpg. Just a one time purchase for a drop in that I can clean every 3-5000 miles. I haven't even had my truck for a yr yet and I already have 20,000 and plan on driving to florida next week. I can't afford to repeatedly buy filters haha. So a drop in for mostly convinience.

    Whats the deal with this secondary coal filter that people are removing?
     
  9. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:34 PM
    #9
    Foihdzas

    Foihdzas VA7PTZ

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    I just removed mine, http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/pe...ary-air-filter-diy-another-way-1gr-fe-v6.html but I have not noticed any difference yet. And Chris 4x4, along with others agree that removing it gives you no benefit.
     
  10. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:46 PM
    #10
    Tacomanator

    Tacomanator Well-Known Member

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    Go with whatever is cheaper.

    People only prefer Afe because they are retarded and don't understand how to properly oil a filter :p.... lol j/k
     
  11. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:47 PM
    #11
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    K&N's have about the worst filtering of any filters I have tested. If you live in a dusty area, you couldnt pay me to run one.
     
  12. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:50 PM
    #12
    Tacomanator

    Tacomanator Well-Known Member

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    ^ What was the best filtering besides paper?
     
  13. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:56 PM
    #13
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    OEM. Then.....as much as I hate to say this, Fram. From there, AFE dry, AirAid 7 layer Gauze, AirAid 5 layer gauze, and the TRD, K&N, and 2 other oiled gauze filters tied for the worst, as the dirt levels in the oil were off the charts. The 5 layer gauze from Airaid maxed the levels of silica, but not higher, the 7 layer one was about 100 ppm from the max. The OEM filter showed no silica in the oil, where as the Fram had only a trace. The AFE dry was about 2/3 up the scale, so its not "good" in a dusty environment either.
     
  14. Mar 28, 2012 at 5:59 PM
    #14
    Tacomanator

    Tacomanator Well-Known Member

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    Fram, huh? I never would've guessed.

    Thanks for droppin some knowledge on my ass :cool:
     
  15. Mar 28, 2012 at 6:10 PM
    #15
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    WIX was right there with OEM. No silica in the oil.
     
  16. Mar 28, 2012 at 6:24 PM
    #16
    halfway72

    halfway72 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Cosmetic stuff.... best part HomerTaco Raptor Grille. Need to get a lift, armor and lockers.
    Wix and Fram?!? Guess I only skimmed the surface of the air filter industry
     
  17. Mar 28, 2012 at 6:24 PM
    #17
    worthywads

    worthywads Well-Known Member

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    The factor interval for the air cleaner is 30,000. It simply isn't of any significant benefit to replace sooner, and dirty filters actually work better at trapping dirt.

    http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/pdfs/Air_Filter_Effects_02_26_2009.pdf
     
  18. Mar 31, 2012 at 8:30 PM
    #18
    Lightningtodd

    Lightningtodd Well-Known Member

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    Does this apply to the cold air intakes too? Or are you specifically referring to drop in filters?
     
  19. Mar 31, 2012 at 8:36 PM
    #19
    TastyHuman

    TastyHuman Oh. Bummer.

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    Exactly right. Anyone who doesn't believe that K&Ns have lousy filtering needs to do some testing of their own.
     
  20. Mar 31, 2012 at 9:54 PM
    #20
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    The limited "Cold Air" intakes I have tried have given similar results. Interesting enough, the Airaid intake had more silica in the oil than their drop in filter allowed. I couldnt test the silica levels of an intake with a OEM style filter, as none were avalible.
     

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