K&N air filters for my 2015 Genesis 5.0

[carguy75]

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I am only making an observation based of a dyno video which shows HP gains on a late model engine. The other member is just stating a personal opinion with some claims of insider information being passed on to him without any proof that such a conversation ever happened.

I rather trust the dyno test on the G37 than someone personal opinion on what should or should not work with some possible embellishment throw in to seal the deal.

 

[QuantumRift]

Hey, that's good. You got the V8, fine. I was incorrect in my assumption that it applied across the board. I had more of an insider connection than 'he told me at a party', and that's all I can really say, though it has been a few years. Such is life. Many claim that the K&N will 'destroy your engine' as well because, well, if it lets more air through, then by God, it must be passing a crapload of contaminants as well. That's a lot of crap. But in any case, I never purchased the K&N for any real or perceived HP gain on any vehicle I own(ed). So if in your case, you do get it, wonderful. In my case, I didn't get any HP boost so I don't really care one way or the other. From K&N site:

2013 to 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8L Gains Horsepower with K&N Performance Air Intake

I however, have the sedan and stayed with the standard airbox. No other 'improvements'. No big deal. I wasn't disappointed when it didn't shave a half second off my 0-60 time.

 

[carguy75]

Hey, that's good. You got the V8, fine. I was incorrect in my assumption that it applied across the board. I had more of an insider connection than 'he told me at a party', and that's all I can really say, though it has been a few years. Such is life. Many claim that the K&N will 'destroy your engine' as well because, well, if it lets more air through, then by God, it must be passing a crapload of contaminants as well. That's a lot of crap. But in any case, I never purchased the K&N for any real or perceived HP gain on any vehicle I own(ed). So if in your case, you do get it, wonderful. In my case, I didn't get any HP boost so I don't really care one way or the other.

I guess we have different experiences since my engine does feel quicker with the K&N filter. I have seen many dyno test like the one I posted that shows HP gains. I have used K&N filters for about 20 years and this same argument have occurred on nearly every forum I have been a member of.

A person claims the filter works and about 10 people all state otherwise mostly with only theories to why it does not work. Hell, many admit they never used the filter but have a PHD in engine mechanics or think they do at least based on web blogs they copy and paste that states why a K&N does not work. They also feel that dyno test that shows no HP gains are accurate, while dyno test that shows HP gains are false. You cannot win against people who are totally against a product.

All I know is the K&N filter works well in my 5.0 V8. The heck with everyone else opinion.

 

[RemyBluePearl]

Hey, that's good. You got the V8, fine. I was incorrect in my assumption that it applied across the board. I had more of an insider connection than 'he told me at a party', and that's all I can really say, though it has been a few years. Such is life. Many claim that the K&N will 'destroy your engine' as well because, well, if it lets more air through, then by God, it must be passing a crapload of contaminants as well. That's a lot of crap. But in any case, I never purchased the K&N for any real or perceived HP gain on any vehicle I own(ed). So if in your case, you do get it, wonderful. In my case, I didn't get any HP boost so I don't really care one way or the other. From K&N site:

2013 to 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8L Gains Horsepower with K&N Performance Air Intake

I however, have the sedan and stayed with the standard airbox. No other 'improvements'. No big deal. I wasn't disappointed when it didn't shave a half second off my 0-60 time.

So I have a 2012 3.8 sedan with a magnaflow cat back exhaust. I just bought the K&N air filter since I’ve seen on this forum they did a good job with the standard intake system that you don’t need an aftermarket “cold air intake” in an engine bay that’s hard to get cold air and that a K&N filter does a good job? My question is did I waste my money or am I causing my engine more harm? I appreciate your feedback

 

[carguy75]

So I have a 2012 3.8 sedan with a magnaflow cat back exhaust. I just bought the K&N air filter since I’ve seen on this forum they did a good job with the standard intake system that you don’t need an aftermarket “cold air intake” in an engine bay that’s hard to get cold air and that a K&N filter does a good job? My question is did I waste my money or am I causing my engine more harm? I appreciate your feedback

I guess in all depends on who you ask. K&N states the performance filter is about 99% as effective as OEM paper filters for cleaning the air. However, many people have done tests over the years that either proved K&N claims or disproved the claims.

I just use common sense, because I believe any performance air filter will allow more fine dust to enter the engine by design. K&N claims to do both well(flow air and filter air), but I realize that it will not filter as good as a OEM filter. Will that small reduction in filter quality damage our engines is the question that I can not honestly answer. Nor anyone else on this forum most likely without hypothetical theories. I have never had an engine failure while using a K&N air filter in my old cars that I used to own, however I usually trade a car every 3 years or so.

As for performance, the engine will run stronger but by how much exactly is anyone guess unless you actually dyno test your engine. If you drive your Genesis hard in the upper rpm range often then yes it should be worth the money. If you mostly cruise around the city or never really drive the engine hard then a K&N would not show any noticeable performance gains. Our engine do not really open up until about 4k rpms even when flooring the throttle, so most acceleration gains from a performance filter will not be felt unless you are doing some long high speed sprints.

The real question is what do you feel about your purchase? Not what someone else think that you should about your purchase?

 

[EdP]

I guess in all depends on who you ask. K&N states the performance filter is about 99% as effective as OEM paper filters for cleaning the air. However, many people have done tests over the years that either proved K&N claims or disproved the claims.

I just use common sense, because I believe any performance air filter will allow more fine dust to enter the engine by design.

They have been controversial for years. Just look at the opinions here as an example. If they were really bad and destroyed engines I think it would have been well known by now. In general, more air means better performance, but that can vary from engine to engine too. No matter how much air you get to the intake, it still need fuel and the ability to exhaust it all.

I'm sure some to see a difference, others may just think they do, others just won't get any better for the reasons I mentioned. For my personal driving, I don't do enough high rpm driving to be concerned so I don't see the need to change. If you do though, it is a modest investment to see if it helps.

Keep using your common sense. Works well most of the time.

 

[larrymg1]

K&N on sale:
K&N Products by Vehicle Search - Year, Make, Model, Engine Search

 

[carguy75]

They have been controversial for years. Just look at the opinions here as an example. If they were really bad and destroyed engines I think it would have been well known by now. In general, more air means better performance, but that can vary from engine to engine too. No matter how much air you get to the intake, it still need fuel and the ability to exhaust it all.

I'm sure some to see a difference, others may just think they do, others just won't get any better for the reasons I mentioned. For my personal driving, I don't do enough high rpm driving to be concerned so I don't see the need to change. If you do though, it is a modest investment to see if it helps.

Keep using your common sense. Works well most of the time.

So true. Every engine design is different so when a performance filter does or does not work on one engine it does not mean the same effect will happen on a different model engine.

Every engine stock ECU tuning is different, therefore some stock ECU can adjust to additional air flow some do not and may actually read the additional airflow as a problem in the air intake system and trigger a code.

I never had such an issue just by installing an K&N panel filter in the models I did own, but I have not installed an K&N filter in every make and model car available.

As far as the 2015 Genesis 5.0 is concerned, the twin K&N filters seems to work well for my driving style. However, I can not speak for other owners since we all may drive our car differently. I have a few back roads that I can have fun with and sometimes get to test my cars against other spirited drivers on some very long straight lane highways. So I have tested my K&N filters in the upper rpm ranges a lot. However just cruising around town in ECO mode feel the same as with the stock OEM paper filter. I only notice a difference in ECO mode if I floor the gas pedal in which the engine is much more responsive with the K&N filter, but I rarely use ECO mode for spirited driving.

Yet I have noticed that my average gas mileage seem to have gone up in ECO mode with the K&N, however my old OEM filter was dirty so any new filter would have better gas mileage. I now average about 19-20 mpg in mixed driving with ECO mode, which is pretty good for a 420HP V8 and my driving style. Even in ECO mode I still do some aggressive merging and passing on the road. So my gas mileage would be even better if i had a lighter foot on the pedal. So, I know that K&N filters do have good gas mileage as advertised if the driver does not use a heavy foot.

These are only my observations. Like any thing results will vary depending on many variables.

 

[QuantumRift]

No you are not causing your engine harm. About the only two things you could do would be to use it WITHOUT cleaning and recharging it, or recharging it with TOO MUCH OIL. I don't have a cold intake system either. I just pulled the stock OEM filter a week after I bought the car and put in a K&N in the stock airbox. If you notice our 3.8 engines do take air in from the grill inlet. I'm very happy with the K&N as I clean it twice a year (prob overkill).

So I have a 2012 3.8 sedan with a magnaflow cat back exhaust. I just bought the K&N air filter since I’ve seen on this forum they did a good job with the standard intake system that you don’t need an aftermarket “cold air intake” in an engine bay that’s hard to get cold air and that a K&N filter does a good job? My question is did I waste my money or am I causing my engine more harm? I appreciate your feedback

 

[1FstYota]

Dyno's can be misleading change a few correction factors and boom numbers change.

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[carguy75]

Dyno's can be misleading change a few correction factors and boom numbers change.

Well, we have to use some sort of information to make an informed judgment even if it is not perfect.

What the alternative, just read everyone speculation of gains or losses based on personal bias?

Dyno test are not 100% accurate specially when trying to compare runs from different machines due to various calibrations and on-site corrections, but it is better that just reading that a product does not make any gains with no other proof that says other wise.

K&N filter gains are proven by dyno tests. I have not seen a dyno test that show that K&N does not make any additional horsepower. However, I have seen dyno test that show really low gains on older cars (1992 Mazda Protege LX for example)I used to own that only made about 120hp in the 90's. The gains were only about 3 hp on published dyno charts at the time. It seems like the larger the engine the more power is gained from the performance filter especially with modern engines that has variable valve timing and direct injection.

 

[JasTheAce]

I swapped to the K&N filters a few months ago (maybe 4000 miles) and have not noticed any real difference. Something to keep in mind with the 5.0 is that you have two airboxes which each provide enough air for the 3.8 engine. I would expect to see very small (if any) gains over the stock filter aside from gains of it just being cleaner. I stuck with them because they were a nightmare to change (although better than the turn signals) and they weren't terribly expensive.

I think you are more restricted at the air inlet itself than the filter, so modifications there would likely do more for you.

 

[carguy75]

I swapped to the K&N filters a few months ago (maybe 4000 miles) and have not noticed any real difference. Something to keep in mind with the 5.0 is that you have two airboxes which each provide enough air for the 3.8 engine. I would expect to see very small (if any) gains over the stock filter aside from gains of it just being cleaner. I stuck with them because they were a nightmare to change (although better than the turn signals) and they weren't terribly expensive.

I think you are more restricted at the air inlet itself than the filter, so modifications there would likely do more for you.

How often do you drive your engine pass 4k rpm? I see that you live in a metro area with heavy traffic, so do you really even push your engines. If so, where? I have driven through DC on my way to New York several times and it is always crowded.

I ask this because you will not notice a significant performance gain just by doing normal low rpm driving except maybe better gas mileage which would be slight as well in stop-and-go traffic and a maybe better throttle response, but again not very noticeable in heavy traffic unless you are trying to rear-end someone.

A performance air filter really shines while doing high speed/high rpm driving where the stock paper air filter falls short, hence the racing origin of K&N.

 

[larrymg1]

Something to keep in mind with the 5.0 is that you have two airboxes which each provide enough air for the 3.8 engine.

I presume you mean "enough air for the 5.0 engine"?

 

[BlancaGenny]

The gains will be seen in your wallet. 2-3 mpg better in my Sonata when I had it. Times that by 20 for your tank size in the Genesis/G80, that's 40-60 more miles per tank. I'll be conservative on the MPG of yours and go with 20mpg average. That's 3 gallons which, depending on where you live, can net you $9 in savings per fill up.

I'm analytical and care about things that really don't matter. There must be something in my coffee.

 

[JasTheAce]

I presume you mean "enough air for the 5.0 engine"?

The 3.8 has one air intake feeding it, and the 5.0 has two of them.

 

[JasTheAce]

How often do you drive your engine pass 4k rpm? I see that you live in a metro area with heavy traffic, so do you really even push your engines. If so, where? I have driven through DC on my way to New York several times and it is always crowded.

I ask this because you will not notice a significant performance gain just by doing normal low rpm driving except maybe better gas mileage which would be slight as well in stop-and-go traffic and a maybe better throttle response, but again not very noticeable in heavy traffic unless you are trying to rear-end someone.

A performance air filter really shines while doing high speed/high rpm driving where the stock paper air filter falls short, hence the racing origin of K&N.

Enough to keep the exhaust clean at WOT, some of which involves back roads and highway merging. I hardly ever drive in DC proper.

 

[larrymg1]

The 3.8 has one air intake feeding it, and the 5.0 has two of them.

Sorry, the comment was confusing.

 

[carguy75]

Enough to keep the exhaust clean at WOT, some of which involves back roads and highway merging. I hardly ever drive in DC proper.

So you really did not notice any performance gains with the K&N filters?

Interesting.

I would not say I noticed a extremely major engine change, but I do notice my engine responds better and reach 100mph+ speeds easier than with my stock filters.

 

[Alfer]

So you really did not notice any performance gains with the K&N filters?

Interesting.

I would not say I noticed a extremely major engine change, but I do notice my engine responds better and reach 100mph+ speeds easier than with my stock filters.

What were your testing methods to determine this?