Should I get K&N PERFORMANCE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM for my 2.7 2020?

Had a K&N on my 08 V6 when I bought it with 5k miles. First time I floored it I was like WTF? Put it on Craigslist to see if someone wanted to swap for a stock set up. Guy came right away and we swapped boxes and filters on the spot. Ridiculously loud!

 

For some reason my '18 Taco came with that damned TRD cold air intake - as if it was any different than the stock system. First thing I did was toss the oiled filter and replace it with the stock Toyota paper filter, which not only is the same size and fit but filters better and has more flow than that cotton one. They're marketed as "high performance" but no one will show you any actual numbers supporting that claim. I mean TRD claims that but they will NOT show you any numbers. What does that tell you. It tells you it's marketing hype, better known as bullshit.

 

Those K&N cold air intakes can cause issues. Only thing their good for is intake noise unless you have work on the exhaust system. They kept setting off my check engine light on my 01 tundra by fouling the mass air flow sensor.

 

You may not be using it correctly. It’s an air filter. It’s not going to increase performance but I’ve used them for years with no problems.

 

Here's a pretty interesting review of several air filter options that anyone considering a K&N or the TRD filter which looks very similar to the K&N and likely is made by them, should read: https://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

 

NO! K&N will give your engine an early death. Everyone I've seen lets dirt thru.

AFE is a better made filter, and also has good flow.

https://afepower.com/afe-power-30-10123-magnum-flow-pro-5r-air-filter

 

Idk about letting dirt through...that may be bs. Properly oiled the K&N filter element trapped plenty of crap from going in my 4.7 tundra engine when i washed the filter with their cleaning kit. I never saw any dirt, or debris inside the top of the air box. I used a K&N for well over 200k miles. Engine ran perfect when i sold it last year. Never touched a drop of oil.

 

For those claiming the K&N is an engine killer: I have had one of those K&N drop in oiled filters in my 07 FJ Cruiser for about 12 years now. Every 50K miles I take it out and clean / oil per the instructions. I have had zero issues using one for well over a decade now and that motor has 160,000 trouble free miles on it. They filter just fine if you use them right.

 

I think it’s more of people getting the idea that the throttle body will get dirtier from the oiled filters. Regardless, if you want to buy it, then buy it. Just keep up with the maintenance. Don’t over oil it. I think people may have had their MAF sensor get lubed up and giving them CEL cause of it. General statement for all cars