[tomdx]

Warning! Rookie Thread Poster!
Thank you to all the acuramdx.org memers for a great web site I have a 2002 Tour/Nav on order, and this website has been super at getting me started in the right direction.

Has anyone installed a K&N air filter? I use one on my BMW Z3 and it gives a very noticeable improvement in performance I see from the K&N website: www.knfilters.com that they carry one for the MDX (#33-2200) Has anyone tried one? Tim, if your'e reading this, does Hondacuraworld carry this? (PS: You'll be getting a big order from me soon!) If no one has tried one, I'll do a thread report, after my "baby" arrives. Happy and safe MDXing to all.

 

[dakster]

Yes,I installed one about 2 weeks ago in my MDX. It is definetly less restrictive than the stock one. You can tell just by looking at the difference in thickness, etc..


I've noticed a slight (less than 1 mpg) gas mileage improvement. I do not notice a seat in the pants acceleration difference though..

Hope this helps!

 

[bef]

I installed them on both the MDX and CL a few weeks/months ago and it does seem like both rev up faster than before. No real quantitative numbers though and I didn't reset the ECUs as some people have done.
I also noticed that on the CL it will not go a little past red line before shifting whereas before it would shift at the red (which really isn't the true red-line).
I think it is worth the money.

 

[ardvarkus]

Definately...

Put some exhaust tips on for an extra 10 hp- you'll REALLY feel it.

Don't you think that acura would have engineered the best filter for performance, mileage AND engine protection????? Why do folks believe in 'bolt on HP gains...'

Show me the HP,

Ard

 

[DaleB]

K&N more than meets the eye

If you do a little research on K&N filters, you will find they are not a gimmick, and not hardly in the same category as exhaust tips.
Their one major advantage over stock paper filters if the ability to take a high contamination load (dirt) and still 'breath' adequately.
While it is unlikely most drivers will encounter such conditions, the ruggedness and servicability of the filter makes it an economical choice as it never needs to be replaced. It is generally cleaned around 40 to 50 thousand miles (cleaned and coated).
The power advantage is over-played in the ads, but what else is new?

 

[ardvarkus]

I'll respectfully disagree.

If there is ANY data (unbiased, not from K&N) that supports claims that:

1. Horse power is improved during actual driving
2. Filtration efficicency is improved.

I'd like to see it. If anyone has a link, please post it....

Most dyno studies I've seen are 'hood open' at WOT (wide open throttle). These test compare the stock filtration system which pulls air from OUTSIDE the engine compartment. The K&N pulls in air from INSIDE the compartment, which during REAL DRIVING is MUCH hotter that outside air. For every 10 degree rise in instake air you loose a few HP (hotter air is less dense, which is why they put intercoolers on turbos..) Close the hood, allow the heat to build, and you are loosing HP with the under hood air intake.


As far as cleaning: If the filter doesn't get dirty that quickly, where is the dirt going?

 

[Fireblade6]

I'll respectfully disagree.

If there is ANY data (unbiased, not from K&N) that supports claims that:

1. Horse power is improved during actual driving
2. Filtration efficicency is improved.

I'd like to see it. If anyone has a link, please post it....

Most dyno studies I've seen are 'hood open' at WOT (wide open throttle). These test compare the stock filtration system which pulls air from OUTSIDE the engine compartment. The K&N pulls in air from INSIDE the compartment, which during REAL DRIVING is MUCH hotter that outside air. For every 10 degree rise in instake air you loose a few HP (hotter air is less dense, which is why they put intercoolers on turbos..) Close the hood, allow the heat to build, and you are loosing HP with the under hood air intake.


As far as cleaning: If the filter doesn't get dirty that quickly, where is the dirt going?

I tend to agree: I have used K&N filters on my Honda cars and motorcycles and now on my MDX and so far in my opinion that the only K&N filters have over the OEM is that it is less restrictive because of the way they make their air mesh versus restrictive paper from OEM. It does allow more air into the combustion chambers so that your engine runs cooler but...I dont think it will improve horse power...UNLESS tou modified your intake to have an AIR RAM with an IMPRELLER that would force COOL air into the engine. This will add on a few extra horses and it is expensive to install.

 

[DaleB]

As stated, cooler and denser air supporting more engine power is not a function of the filter, but rather how the air is routed into the engine (and through the filter). K&N does offer kits for many cars for rerouting the air intake to a cooler location. The K&N has better air flow as the result of a design that has more surface area. It is inherent in that design that it can effectively handle more dirt before clogging, versus a standard paper filter.
The materials are also more robust than pleated paper providing longer life.
From a pure cost basis, and changing out a paper filter every 12,000 miles (personally, I would not run one longer) the K&N probably has an edge.
But it's not that great. I use synthetic oil too, but the the advantage over premium conventional oil for MOST climates, is probably negligible. It all gets down to personal choice.

 

[dakster]

Aardcarkus,

There are two type of K&N filters. The first type is a replacement of the stock air filter in the same location. Assume there is niether gain or loss of HP. I buy it just for the fact that it will be the last one I buy.

The second type is a conical air filter that eliminates the air-box and depending on how installed can pull air in from the engine compartment or if a cold air induction kit is used will pull outside air in just like the restrictive air-box. The advantage being the air-box is "restrictive" and helps to silence the incoming air-flow.

Finally, in our all stock MDX's, the K&N will most likely not make much of a performance difference. However, more air is not only accomplished by the filter, but buy the efficiency of the air intake system. (Pipe, Mass Air, EGR Plate, Throttle Body, and Intake Manifold). So if in the MDX the air filter is the most inefficent part of the equation, changing it will improve enging preformance, if it isn't no noticeable gain will be achieved.

 

[ardvarkus]

"So if in the MDX the air filter is the most inefficent part of the equation, changing
it will improve enging preformance, if it isn't no noticeable gain will be achieved."

If you replace "inefficient" with "restrictive" then I agree ABSOLUTELY.

Questions:

Who ducts cold air into their bolt-on K&N?

Who thinks Acura would place a restrictive air filter into the path of an otherwise 'unrestricted' intake system, thereby loosing a few HP?

Maybe, I suppose.

Now, if we want to 'fes up, and say we just like the way it looks, that's OK.


Ard

PS Fireblade- more air into the combustion chamber doesn't make your engine run cooler- all things being equal it will run LEANER, but then again the PCM will adapt to the new air-fuel mix and compensate....

 

[DaleB]

It does look pretty good!

Actually, the K&N does look neat. But, damn, it's always in the air box so it's a hassle to have to pull it out all the time to look at it!

 

[ardvarkus]

Boy, I walked into that one...

I was talking about the conical filter that replaces the stock system, not the OEM-style filter replacement.

Ard

 

[DaleB]

That won't work for me either, I don't like to even pop the hood unless it's for maintenance.
But I confess, I have been known to drool over the engine compartment of a new car the first few days.

 

[frankjv]

I just ordered the stock filter replacement and hope it makes a difference. Has anyone replaced the whole assembly with the conical system and does it make a difference and how much does it cost.

 

[dakster]

Alright, I'll replace inefficient with restrictive. Granted I do not think that Acura would put a blatantly ineffective air filter in their cars. And yes, I like the way it looks and it makes me feel better. Above that, what else really matters??

And I did forget to mention that in today's computer controlled cars, sometimes no matter waht you do won't make a difference because the computer will compensate, which is why "chip tuning" is becoming popular.

One last note, you also have to understand that Acura does not know the type of driving conditions that their vehicles will be in and have to allow for the vehicle to be adaptive to any climate even if it means sacraficing performace. For example, it recommends 91 octance, but what if you live in area that doesn't have it or you mess up and put in 87. (it has happened, Amoco's blue handle is 87 and chevron's is 92 here...).

Anyways, just my two cents.

 

[ardvarkus]

Dak-

I guess my 'beef' is the blind adoption as 'truth' many of the trendy items folks buy into-

In this industry, EVERYBODY is looking to separate us from our $$$. From Road and Track to the websites to dealerships to performance shops to.... They all spend HUGE amounts of money to get us to WANT their products. Sexy shapes, models and placement ads in 'fast and furious' all combine to influence the market. Many vendors sertainly don't want actual data to confuse the issues.

Problem is, to get noticeable improvements takes A LOT of $$$. (Start with a new ECU and go from there...) As long as we all realize this, we can concentrate on the stuff that matters: DVD players and good looking wheels.



Ard

 

[dakster]

I agree. It does take lots of $$$ to make any seat of the pants noticeable difference. I actually figured out with my mustang it would have been cheaper to take a stock motor and add a turbo/supercharger than to do the rebuild I did. Probably would've made more horsepower to boot.

The DVD's and wheels are nice and BOTH are a lot of $$$ as well...

However, on that front in March there is a company (still doing reserach here) that is going to offer a plug and play device to put TV/DVD/VCR input into the NAV screen... Acording to the radio shop retail should be $400.. (It includes a TV Tuner and antenna) When I find out more I will post it...

 

[Xtreme MDX]

My review on the K&N Air Filter oem replacment....

I have used K&N also on all of my cars, and through those experiences I have experienced better linear acceleration and the one I installed in my MDX did not dissapoint. As expected I got similar results with this one. On my 98 Honda Accord V6 I got better results by removing the resonator box and resonator pipes making a straight flow ram air intake using the oem filter box. I think I might experiment with the X and follow the same procedure but if the intake gets too loud like the one in the Accord I will put back all the resonator pieces, if it only gives me a marginal performance increase then it might not be worth sacrificing the warranty issue and the noisier intake sound.

 

[dakster]

Xtreme,

Please post the results of th re-route, etc... If it makes a difference I may try it as well...

Thanks,

 

[ardvarkus]

xtreme-

How much better 'linear acceleration' did you see?

Did you measure this with a stop watch? or is it just an impression?

(Open all windows in a car, and the driver will estimate his speeds consistantly higher. Is the change in sound of the K&N a psychological factor?)

Or, is it real?

I am truly taken with the overwhelming lack of hard data on the K&Ns. Their website seems to ONLY refer to ONE jeep that had a 26 Hp increase. Given the millions they are selling, wouldn't there be at least one other car with a similar gain.

Any data?

Ard