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Does a K&N air filter really add noticable power?

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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 12:45 AM
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Does a K&N air filter really add noticable power?

I have a 4.6 Supercrew and am still looking to add more power even after putting a custom tune on it. Does the K&N filter add noticable power to the truck?
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 12:50 AM
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Originally Posted by aggieben04
I have a 4.6 Supercrew and am still looking to add more power even after putting a custom tune on it. Does the K&N filter add noticable power to the truck?
The dropin flat filter like I have, no. The so called CAI, a little, but not much more than the Gott's mod that you can do for about $13.
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted by aggieben04
Does the K&N filter add noticable power to the truck?
nope
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 02:01 AM
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It really just gives you something else to tinker with when doing maintenance. Lets you get your hands dirty, and possibly your MAF
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 03:16 AM
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go for an oilfree filter
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 03:22 PM
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what is a gotts mod and what years will this work for.. i have a 07 supercab 5.4..
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by coonsmen
what is a gotts mod and what years will this work for.. i have a 07 supercab 5.4..
Spend some time reviewing the index to teh Articles and How To forum. Lots of info there on many things. Here is the link from the index for the mod. You can also go to the Advanced Search, enter Gotts and read a lot of stuff about it.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...4l-engine.html
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by coonsmen
what is a gotts mod and what years will this work for.. i have a 07 supercab 5.4..
Do it and enjoy like many others have on this forum
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 08:31 PM
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I use a K&N drop in filter and love it. I felt that I had a good little increase in power when using it for passing, then again shortly after I did the Gotts mod, and there was much more passing power.... so I can't say for sure. I can tell you this, I just used the cleaning kit for the K&N on the filter and I'm more than impressed at how clean it gets. You couldn't even tell that its not new, no signed of discoloration at all.

I don't know why everyone throws a big fit about the oil used on these types of filters. From the factory they can admittedly be over oiled (on both sides) and cause there to be oil that drips off and possibly getting on the MAF. But that's only if you over oil the hell out of it when your cleaning it. I've even had people recommend that you clean them when they are brand new and lightly re-oil them to prevent excess oil. Your only supposed to put oil on the receiving side of the filter, so it would be damn near impossible for it to get through the entire filter and into the MAF/Engine.
 

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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 08:45 PM
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I don't see how people come to the conclusion that a filter increases power.
 
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by 4.6 Punisher
I don't see how people come to the conclusion that a filter increases power.
Not a bunch of power, very slightly almost unnoticeable amounts. Then again if a higher flow air filter didn't increase power, why would a CAI (Or Gotts Mod) increase power........ They do because they get more air to your engine when it needs it (assuming your tuned to take advantage of the extra air and not running lean). If I were to do the Gotts mod and put a very restrictive filter on my truck that made it have roughly the same flow that I had before the mod installed, I'd see zero benefits. By having a higher flow filter installed I just insure that I've got that slight edge over an OEM filter. I wouldn't promise the Moon and Stars over to people and say its all because of the filter, its not.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 12:45 AM
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I had an AEM CAI at one point in time. It caused to many problems Lean problems. So I went back to stock. But I kinda missed the Slight power increase that my CAI added. So I to wandered if the K&N drop in would re-add the lost power.
Well, it did. It added a little power to the ol 5.4. I could tell a little more throttle response and cold tell a big difference in the passing gear.
I have recently did the Gott's mod, and it is EXACTLY like having a my CAI back. It cost me 9.41 at Tractor Supply Co.
I also have recently had to clean my K&N. And I will tell you, It's not as bad as what alot of people say. Just make sure when you re-oil, you spray it on like your spraying your "first coat of spray paint." Light and easy. let it set for 20 or 30 mins to soak in. Then do one more coat the same way.

It's definalty cheaper than buying new paper filters every 10K.
New filter=32.00
K&N Recharge Kit=10.49

I would definatly not go back to stock. I like havin the little extra umph in passing. (I bet it probably helped with the gas mileage, but only like .5 mpg. lol)

If you have anymore questions, just ask. I'd be more than happy to help.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Haemon
Not a bunch of power, very slightly almost unnoticeable amounts. Then again if a higher flow air filter didn't increase power, why would a CAI (Or Gotts Mod) increase power........ They do because they get more air to your engine when it needs it (assuming your tuned to take advantage of the extra air and not running lean). If I were to do the Gotts mod and put a very restrictive filter on my truck that made it have roughly the same flow that I had before the mod installed, I'd see zero benefits. By having a higher flow filter installed I just insure that I've got that slight edge over an OEM filter. I wouldn't promise the Moon and Stars over to people and say its all because of the filter, its not.
An OEM paper filter flows just as much as a "high performance" filter. The Gotts mod can be done with a paper filter and produce the exact same amount of power. People are just inherently stupid and thing something as simple as a filter can produce power. The only "edge" of one of these filters is that they're reusable, and that's it.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 03:51 AM
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Umm.... right. I'd hate to refer to something like K&N's own retail store test, but its plain as freaking day. Its like doing a 3rd grade science project. You've got a tube and a little fan sucking air at the other end... You take the OE paper filter and put it into the square fitting and the ping pong ball just bounces a little bit at the bottom of the tube. You throw the K&N filter in its place and the ball gets sucked up to the top of the tube. now unless your going to claim that this ball got sucked to the top of the tube by a disruption in earth gravity, or that aliens beamed it the hell up...... Any freaking 3rd grader could tell you that there was more air flowing!

Now.... when your installing something like a Gotts mod.... the entire point of that system is to INCREASE AIR FLOW to a 3" inlet. Since we are in fact trying to increase flow why put something in its place (a paper filter) that does not allow that flow to run its course freely? I'm going to get every bit of that new 3" intake as I can, even if its only a few more CFMs. It helps that the math behind these filters saves you money too.

For the record, in case anyone is wonder, those recharge kits are meant to last 5-10 uses (depending on how dirty your filter is). I don't think that the cleaner will last that long, i'd say maybe 4-5 uses max, but the oil will easily outlast 10 uses. Not sure if you can but just the cleaner part though.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 06:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Haemon
Umm.... right. I'd hate to refer to something like K&N's own retail store test, but its plain as freaking day. Its like doing a 3rd grade science project. You've got a tube and a little fan sucking air at the other end... You take the OE paper filter and put it into the square fitting and the ping pong ball just bounces a little bit at the bottom of the tube. You throw the K&N filter in its place and the ball gets sucked up to the top of the tube. now unless your going to claim that this ball got sucked to the top of the tube by a disruption in earth gravity, or that aliens beamed it the hell up...... Any freaking 3rd grader could tell you that there was more air flowing!

Now.... when your installing something like a Gotts mod.... the entire point of that system is to INCREASE AIR FLOW to a 3" inlet. Since we are in fact trying to increase flow why put something in its place (a paper filter) that does not allow that flow to run its course freely? I'm going to get every bit of that new 3" intake as I can, even if its only a few more CFMs. It helps that the math behind these filters saves you money too.

For the record, in case anyone is wonder, those recharge kits are meant to last 5-10 uses (depending on how dirty your filter is). I don't think that the cleaner will last that long, i'd say maybe 4-5 uses max, but the oil will easily outlast 10 uses. Not sure if you can but just the cleaner part though.
Sorry, but I don't buy it. I understand the retail store display, but it's meaningless if the velocity is above what your motor needs. Keep in mind I'm talking about the filter itself, NOT THE INTAKE SYSTEM. It's already been documented that the Gotts mod does decrease the air system's dynamic losses and thus improves air flow (the best flowing filter in the world would be worthless with an intake with 1/2" inlet and outlets).

However, real world testing proves that there simply isn't any measurable gain between an OEM paper filter and a fancy-smancy reusable one.

http://forum.gopowerhungry.com/2004-...t-results.html

A 5.4L V8, given 90 percent volumetric efficiency, at 5500 rpm, needs 473 cfm of air. Giving it more than it needs at any given time doesn't necessarily offer any more power. Bear that in mind when reading these results.

Condition/ Average Airflow

1- stock housing & filter, as installed in vehicle- 621 cfm
2- same as #1 but with AEM filter panel- 592.36 cfm
3- stock housing & filter but no silencer or snorkel- 656.83 cfm
4- same as #3 but with AEM panel filter- 632.50 cfm
5- same as #1 but with snorkel tube modification- 597.3
6- same as #5 but with rubber downspout adapter removed- 637.5 cfm
7- same as #5 but with AEM panel filter- 569.51 cfm
8- same as #6 but with AEM filter panel- 619.70 cfm
9- same as #3 but with silencer only- 632.50 cfm
10- Brute Force Intake (for 2004 model)- 733.30 cfm
11- AEM filter only- 1077.25 cfm
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest2.htm

Napa Paper filter, average differential PSI: 0.249

K&N cotton gauze, average differential PSI: 0.231

Racing Beat foam, average differential PSI: 0.236

Jackson Racing foam, average differential PSI: 0.245

Amsoil foam, average differential PSI: 0.235
 
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