Attention: Those Who Know Things About Engine Mods

[Viking]

Let me preface his by saying that I don't know the first thing about engines (or modifcations to engines), but I am betting that some of you do.

When I was at the dealer last week, a guy there was telling me about K&N Air Filters and Air Intake Kits. He claimed that with most cars, you can improve the HP by about 10-20 - while also improving the gas mileage - by adding these types of filters. He also said that they are relatively inexpensive for the gain (~$150).

My first reaction is that I would assume that anything improving the HP would also drive down the MPG? I checked with K&N and they don't yet make parts for the Genesis but they said that they will soon.

Any thoughts on this topic - or was the guy I spoke to full of it?

 

[musher51]

Viking -- like you, I'm not knowledgeable about engine mods, but I can tell you that I was (until recently) a member of a very active local chapter of the BMW CCA (car club), and a number of members spoke very highly of the K&N kits and filters, notably for their impact on horsepower/efficiency.

Given the popularity of on-line forums (like this one!), I'll bet you can Google your way into some helpful discussions along these lines. I've also saved some of the digest summaries from the Bimmer group; when I get a moment, I'll parse through them to see if I can find anything relevant.

 

[Jerrad]

As a user of K&N filters I highly recommend them and should be one of the first things you do to your car (IMHO). Although the Genesis is so new I have not even checked into their availability yet.

K&N air filters are the cheapest, safest, and best modification to add to any car performance car or not. This will help the car breathe easier and cleaner and you should feel if not hear a slight difference in most cars.

HP gains vary by car so it is hard to say what the Genesis would gain from one.

 

[njohnson]

Yeah HP varies a lot per car they are installed in and I wouldn't expect a huge jump in MPG. Some cars have less restrictive air filters from the factory so you won't notice much.

 

[zedbyers]

I doubt you would notice an increase in mileage.

one note about K&N filters v. some of the other brands is that yes K&N is a lifetime filter (you only buy one for the life of the vehicle) but it requires that you re-oil the filter everytime you clean it (if i remember right they recommend every 20k unless in severe service). this isn't a problem for most people, but if you over oil the filter it can cause a few problems for you......

i put a K&N filter in my W8 and was very happy with it, you could hear the difference in the air flow, that was for sure.

 

[GenesisBlog]

Let me preface his by saying that I don't know the first thing about engines (or modifcations to engines), but I am betting that some of you do.

When I was at the dealer last week, a guy there was telling me about K&N Air Filters and Air Intake Kits. He claimed that with most cars, you can improve the HP by about 10-20 - while also improving the gas mileage - by adding these types of filters. He also said that they are relatively inexpensive for the gain (~$150).

My first reaction is that I would assume that anything improving the HP would also drive down the MPG? I checked with K&N and they don't yet make parts for the Genesis but they said that they will soon.

Any thoughts on this topic - or was the guy I spoke to full of it?

They probably will not make (K&N) an air filter for this car for at least 7 months to one year.

They add a real world 8-10 hp, and they really should not effect economy either way. Its too minor a mod.

I would definitely get a cat-back system as well. Its worth the $300-$400 or so for the sound, performance and other factors.

 

[Viking]

Genesisblog,

Thanks for the feedback. Can you explain a little more what a cat-back system would do for sound and performance?

 

[EdVoylesHyundai]

one note about K&N filters v. some of the other brands is that yes K&N is a lifetime filter (you only buy one for the life of the vehicle) but it requires that you re-oil the filter everytime you clean it (if i remember right they recommend every 20k unless in severe service). this isn't a problem for most people, but if you over oil the filter it can cause a few problems for you......

This is an important point. I am not sure what type of air intake measurement system the Genesis has, but if it is an AFM or hotwire system it can be fouled and caused to read incorrectly if it gets oily. If its a MAP sensor, that shouldn't be a problem. That said, I ran a k&n style filter on my 89 Supra turbo with an AFM for a couple years with no issues. The I am not sure what it uses, though.

 

[gentau]

The subject of air intake systems can be very complex...far too complex to discuss in one short thread. Reams of information can be written about the effects of air volume, air velocity, air turbulence, and air temperature on an engine's performance.

K&N normally will produce two types of filters for most cars. First is a "drop-in" that simply replaces the stock filter in the original air box (filter holder). According to K&N it offers the advantage of better breathing over the stock paper filter. Additionally, it is a "lifetime" filter; because it can be cleaned and re-oiled periodically instead of simply being discarded.

The second system (commonly referred to as a Cold Air Intake {CAI}) consists of a different air intake tube and a conical shaped filter (also a "lifetime" filter). In theory, this system locates the filter to a location where the air flow is cooler. The advantage of cooler Intake Air Temperature (IAT) is that the Engine Control Module (ECM) will not have to pull (retard) ignition timing to prevent detonation. The more timing you can run without detonation allows for increased HP and fuel mileage.

Both systems have been proven effective...however, they are not equally effective on all cars. Cars that have poorly designed stock air intakes will obviously benefit more than cars with a well designed factory system. The manufacturer's blanket statements assigning numbers to increased HP and gas mileage are usually highly optimistic compared to real world increases.

I would suggest that a person wait until others have done testing of after market systems so that a rational decision can be made before purchasing.