(Cone shaped) Air Filters --- APC vs K&N?

[sharky]

Until now, I've been torn up between buying a cool air intake kit, or just getting a cone shaped K&N filter.  The filter alone is about half the price of the whole kit, so why not just take the plunge, right?  Well, with a teency weency budget for such frivolities, I've been slow to decide.  HOWever....I just found an APC cone filter for half the price of a K&N.  Could it be a super crappy filter, not worth putting on my car, or could it be that the K&N stuff is ridiculously over priced?  Help!

[ovr50]

Could be also going with a cheap air filter is the difference between performance and letting too much crap into the motor and damaging it. I would not fool w cheap filters IMO.

[ericthejet]

I would run the higher quality filter.  K&N has a history that shows their product flows more air thru the throttle body.  APC? may be just trying to take a bite of their market share with a lower quality product.  I also don't think these items have to meet any standards.

What are you trying to get from the car anyways?  More flow?

[barrie1]

The K&N air filters are gauranteed for one million miles so there is a difference right there. I am running a 14"x6" K&N filter in my truck and have found it to be excellent in keeping the dirt out of the carb and fuel system. I have tried others similar before and the K&N has been the best so far. They cost more but you get it back in long life and performance.

[sharky]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.  Eric, you nailed it -- I'm just looking for a little more flow.  I've also heard that an SRT-4 exhaust will bolt right on to my car....this intrigues me.
Any pointers are welcome, as I like my car, but, it could always be ummm...shall we say...a little more responsive.

[tpl]

Beware of too much oil on a K&N. Some MAFs can get badly messed up if they get that filter oil on them and then have to be laboriously cleaned or replaced

[barrie1]

The clean up kit for these is around $20.00 for the small one and you will need more Fluid then that to do a clean up right as well. Having cleaned mine on a no. of occasions I will tell you they are a Dirty job and it takes 3-4 hours at least to do it right. Not that often but you should know.  

[maritime_storm]

Good Point TPL. Does the 2001 Neon 2.0L use a MAF? I didn't think they did.

[tpl]

I dont know about the Neon...I know it was an issue on Audiworld with the Bosch(?) systems on various German cars.

[sharky]

Well, there is a little plug seated on the tubing infront of  the filter....but I wouldn't know an MAF if it came flying through my vents and hit me in the face.  Good to know though, about too much oil getting on it....I'l check w/ my mech.

[davidy]

How often are you cleaning the K&N filters? I don't drive very much per year. It's been about 30K since the filter was new over 2.5 years ago.

Dave

(Message edited by davidy on April 02, 2005)

[barrie1]

I generally go by the colour as it does change from the Purplish Red colour to Black as it gets dirty. I wait until I can't see any purple colour left and then clean it.