K&N C.A.I. pros & con

[captain vette]

hello everyone,my new to me 2011 GS came with a K&N CAI.is there any advantage i have read that it can damage the engine, also what kind of maintenance i have to do for that thing. the original factory air filter housing was in the trunk so it can be retrofit. Please tell me what you think. Thanks

 

[12cents]

I had an SLP CAI on my old Camaro with a double filter. From what I remember, gentle washing in luke-warm water and mild soap to clean it. Let dry and then re-apply the oil (you can buy a kit at Canadian tire). I used to do mine in the fall when I put the car away. After oiling, I would let it stand for at least 24 hours on a piece of cardboard to make sure excess oil dripped off of it before I reinstalled it. I have been told that excess oil can mess up a MAF. Not sure if this still applies to the newer filters or not.

 

[hemicat]

I have a SLP Blackwing filter. I think it must have better flow than the stock unit that came with my C5. The filter is not blue anymore so I may have to oil it again. I don't think it has done any harm and I would not be overly generous applying more...just follow the instructions. You can buy a kit at Canadian Tire...I will have to check that out. Doing it in fall makes sense.

 

[XFIRE82]

I have posted on the K&N type filters before, but I'll say it again......throw them in the bush. I've seen them on engines and the intake is full of crap stuck to the runners, like I mean oily dirt , they let in more air but don't filter out the fine stuff cause less restriction to air flow. And seen the turbo's wear out too , guy wonders why he can't start his diesel anymore well how can it when you have been sucking dirt through that filter and wear the turbo and rings out. My opinion on them but advertising has done a good job of promoting them. Remember the old Fram oil filter commercial, " You can pay me now or pay me later ".

 

[Rruuff Day]

Had a K&N on a car a while back. No problems. Had one on my turbo diesel truck for a month. Checked it one day and the filter was bent out of shape trying it's damnest to get sucked into the turbo. Threw it away.

 

[Messner]

I’m thinking of a Vararam CAI on my LS2 C6. Any experience or thoughts?

 

[Dub]

I have the K&N, and it came installed when I purchased my C5, and I personally don't think it does anything, in the way of adding power, maybe different for the C6 application??
I am also thinking about going with the Vararam