Air filter
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
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Air filter
Will replacing my stock air cleaner, with a K&N or something similiar, provide any noticable difference in HP/Torque in a 4.6, while towing ?? Or is there not enough difference, to justify the cost ?? THANKS..
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 130
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From: Southwest Virginia
I have put a K&N FIPK on a 5.0 F150 4x4 and a K&N drop-in w/a bored out air box on a 5.8l F150 4x4 and can't say I noticed any gains in felt power or mpg. They sound good but as everyone says "noise does not equal HP". 
Besides, there is considerable debate here and on www.bobistheoilguy.com about the filtering ability of these types of filters. The risk is that they will let in more dirt. Some claim that oil analysis on K&N engines support this fact. IMO these normally aspirated engines just don't need the extra airflow. The engineers have gotten most of the free and easy power out of these engines. I wouldn't waste my money (again). In my new B4000 I'm sticking with paper. Paper lasts 20-30k miles with no problem so therefore you don't really save any money with K&N either.
Besides, there is considerable debate here and on www.bobistheoilguy.com about the filtering ability of these types of filters. The risk is that they will let in more dirt. Some claim that oil analysis on K&N engines support this fact. IMO these normally aspirated engines just don't need the extra airflow. The engineers have gotten most of the free and easy power out of these engines. I wouldn't waste my money (again). In my new B4000 I'm sticking with paper. Paper lasts 20-30k miles with no problem so therefore you don't really save any money with K&N either.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24
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I have had a different experience with open element and drop-in cotton filters. I installed a drop-in K&N in an F-250 w/ a 460, the difference was night and day, not only did throttle response increase, so did gas mileage...it wasn't huge, but definitely noticable.
Here is where open element filters really show their strength. An engine is in general a giant air pump. The more air and out of the engine equals more power. Now if you want to see power gains along with throttel response gains, there are four items that need to be replaced.
First is the air filter, you have to do away with the restrictive factory airbox and use some form of an open-air element filter.
The next restriction is the MAF. You need to replace the smaller diameter factory MAF with a slightly larger one that is calibrated correctly for the increaased airflow. If you are looking at MAF's I would recommend a Pro-M, stay away from Granatelli as they can be re-calibrated by the user.
After the MAF, the throttle body is the next restriction. Again, a slightly larger throttle body will yield more power and greater throttle response.
Lastly, you need to be able to exit this extra air from the engine. You need a freer flowing exhaust system, something like a Borla, Gibson, Magnaflow, or Flowmaster. Headers never hurt either and usually add low end torque.
Now remember, doing these mods isn't going to make your truck drag strip ready or the fastest truck on the street, but it will definitely add a noticable power and torque increase along with much faster throttle response.
Having done these mods on my last truck, I can tell you they are well worth the money if you are searching for a little more performance from your truck. I will be performing these mods on my new truck as soon as parts become available for the 2003.
Here is where open element filters really show their strength. An engine is in general a giant air pump. The more air and out of the engine equals more power. Now if you want to see power gains along with throttel response gains, there are four items that need to be replaced.
First is the air filter, you have to do away with the restrictive factory airbox and use some form of an open-air element filter.
The next restriction is the MAF. You need to replace the smaller diameter factory MAF with a slightly larger one that is calibrated correctly for the increaased airflow. If you are looking at MAF's I would recommend a Pro-M, stay away from Granatelli as they can be re-calibrated by the user.
After the MAF, the throttle body is the next restriction. Again, a slightly larger throttle body will yield more power and greater throttle response.
Lastly, you need to be able to exit this extra air from the engine. You need a freer flowing exhaust system, something like a Borla, Gibson, Magnaflow, or Flowmaster. Headers never hurt either and usually add low end torque.
Now remember, doing these mods isn't going to make your truck drag strip ready or the fastest truck on the street, but it will definitely add a noticable power and torque increase along with much faster throttle response.
Having done these mods on my last truck, I can tell you they are well worth the money if you are searching for a little more performance from your truck. I will be performing these mods on my new truck as soon as parts become available for the 2003.