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Dropped in a panel K&N filter... I too noticed a slight acceleration change, but I think that was due to my paper filter being all funky.
Things I have noticed that were due to the new filter:
1 - There does seem to be a touch quicker high RPM acceleration/rolling acceleration.
2 - There is a definite change in the noise of the engine (throatier, a little bit more healthy).
3 - This was weird; I have so far (300 miles) experienced an average loss of half a mile per gallon.
I've also hear that K&N filters (only from one source, however - unfortunately it was a very intelligent sounding source) don't quite filter as well as the OEM filters, leading to the possible accumulation of debris in the engine and decreasing engine life. Is this true, or should I pretend that the guy wasn't oiling his filter properly (as the K&N filter relies on oil to trap dust) - in which case I'm going to freak out and clean/oil this thing every month.
Honestly, in the end, there's not HUGE difference between a true CAI and a drop-in K&N. Yes a CAI will generate more CFM, but that won't equal 10hp difference like most claim.
Either are a great upgrade to help your car breath better, but if your not sold on the look and sound of a CAI, a drop-in is probably the more cost-effective investment. Certainly not the coolest, but the smartest.
That being said, if anyone wants a K&N for their stock box, PM me. I bought one, and bought a Dinan CAI the week after. So I have a K&N drop-in with less than 50 miles on it, I'll sell it cheap.
And in case your wondering....there was a much bigger difference in sound between the two, than performance.
hey jllphan hit me up, I may take that off your hands, just to make my own evaluation. I know my 72 Chevelle REALLY benefits from the extra air flow, but I went from a 3"x14" paper to a 4"x14" K&N filter, and that was probably the difference I am feeling. But the design of the factory E34 box, I am thinking it really wont make much of a difference.
__________________
-There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary, and those who do not.
-If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under...Ronald Reagan
To fuel the flames of discontent...
When I change my oil, I usually do it by the computer reading on my car (the little green bars). Why? Because BMW wouldn't have put it there if it didn't work, I assume (If I should REALLY just go and check the dipstick every time I fuel up, someone just tell me, because it isn't that hard).
Anyway, going by the little green bars at startup, I tend to change my oil about every 8000-11000 miles on synthetic oil (yeah, 5000 miles whatever. You know your oil lasts longer than that).
Ever since I've put in the K&N filter, I've seen a dramatic decrease. I haven't changed my oil yet, but it's been barely 1000 miles and I'm down to 2 green bars from 5. If it continues at this rate, I will have driven maybe 1250 miles before I must change my oil. My SYNTHETIC oil.
Ick.
I have owned dirtbikes and raced quads. And have always used K&N on them they always seem to costless in the long run and breath better on any engine. So I bought one as soon as the stock one need it.
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