| Author | Message | ||
     Lost_in_ohio |
In my travels I stumbled accross a Buell race air cleaner.....IT doesn't use oil?????????? Guess I thought the K&N air filter was the race filter....guess not? anyone know? | ||
| 1313 |
The Race Kit air filter used to be a K&N filter, but it was changed at some point to a typical paper type filter. 1313 (Message edited by 1313 on August 22, 2006) | ||
| Jaimec |
Lately I haven't been hearing very good things about K&N filters. I remember when EVERYBODY used 'em, but now... Maybe there's reason for it if Buell is no longer selling them as their racing filter? | ||
| Bads1 |
Cost !!!! | ||
| Pwnzor |
K & N is numero uno! Screw paper. | ||
| Bigwallfish |
not long ago someone on this site posted a thread about quality control issues with K&N filters....thay had pictures of metal shavings embedded in the filter...I wouldn't use a K&N after seeing that | ||
| Midknyte |
someone on this site posted a thread about quality control issues with K&N filters That would be me.  pictures of metal shavings embedded in the filter kinda. sorta.  http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/205978.html | ||
| Jaimec |
A fellow named Tom Cutter, owner and proprietor of Rubber Chicken Racing Garage and master BMW mechanic gave a seminar recently at the BMW MOA National and K&N filters came up. Tom reported that with his vintage racing machine, they dynoed the bike with a K&N filter and with the stock paper filter and found NO DIFFERENCE at all in hp/torque figures. He said that engine teardown analysis after races indicated far more particulate matter in the engine with the K&N filter as opposed to the stock paper filter as well. His advice was to stick with the paper filter. As a benefit, when you replace the paper filter, you are also replacing the rubber seals on the filter element at the same time which also helps prevent dirt from getting into your engine. Rubber eventually shrinks and dries. If you've used the same K&N filter for several years, the odds are good it doesn't fit as well as it used to... It all boils down to: It's your bike, do what you want. | ||
| Skyguy |
K&N products will never go on any of my vehicles. They are great if you clean them constantly. Unless of course one of the little metal pieces from the screen gets broken off on the inside or is messed up by the factory. Someone posted pics here of a K&N that had it been installed would have resulted in a new engine. | ||
| Court |
Like oil, there's little that can outdo frequent changes. I'm running Mobil 1 5W-20 in the new Ford but I'm stickign with a Motorcraft air filter element this time. I can keep a couple in the basement and change on in under a minute. I found myself sometimes putting off cleaning, draining and reoiling the K&N. Air filters, like oil, have benenfited from technology and manufacturing advances. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
sounds like Just keeping a couple of spare paper filters on the shelf is a better plan. | ||
| Bads1 |
Our we getting Lazy with age Court???Happy Birthday !!!!! | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
k&N rules. who ever said they offer no hp. lied to you. you can feel the difference right away. they are usually pretty good with there quality control also. has ANYBODY ever had a defective one? the filters also have a warranty for life or 1,000,000 miles. i recently traded mine in for a new one after 3 years on the bike. no questions asked. i did see the one w/ a small piece of metal on the filter....rare occasion and only one small piece that i recall..i always look for defects and never had one. all my vehicles run on k&n filters. This is of course an individual opinion. so take it for what it is worth....02cents if that. | ||
| Court |
I am getting old and spending more time doing other things. I got a big surprise for my birthday, delivered last night, that's gonna keep me busy. I used to jump under the car, drop the oil plug, filter, transmission cover, the works and do it all. Part of it's laziness, part simply acquiring other hobbies. I'm certain K&N gives more power, but I look at it this way. . . my Ford F-150 has 85 more HP than my Taurus SHO and 75 more than my Mustang GT. Ergo, 300RWHP and a paper filter works perfectly for me. I keep it changed and life's simple. I had a K&N on the F-250 and it was tight as a drum at 161,000 when I got rid of it. It had Mobil 1 every 3,000 since the day it was new and every year I drained the brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, transmission fluid and replaced it all. I guess it worked. I'm betting the paper filters will get me through 3 years of ownership on the F-150. | ||
| Old_man |
Happy birthday Court, and thanks for being there for us. Now, let us in on what the big suprise was! Jack | ||
| Cycleaddict |
paper filters ARE one of the ways that business's can count on repeat business($) from the owners of their product ! anybody heard of razor blades ?(they give you a "free" razor so will "need" to buy their razor blades) | ||
| Midknyte |
Tom reported that with his vintage racing machine, they dynoed the bike with a K&N filter and with the stock paper filter and found NO DIFFERENCE at all in hp/torque figures. HP & Torque difference were probably "negligible"... But I'm not here to argue that. All I can say is that I do believe the K&N flows more are because my configuration was running hot (per plug conditions) and I've returned to using a paper filter. Glutial Dyno reveals no difference, but engine is running cooler now. | ||
| 147db |
I'm back to paper filter too... my XB was too lean with the K&N. I'll post a pic of my old spark plugs later! | ||
| 147db |
Here's a pic of the HD plugs after 20.000 Km (12.500 miles), the bike is a 9SX MY05 with stock ECM, "desnorkelized" and K&N equipped. Opinions needed...  | ||
| Jaimec |
Actual dynos give cold hard numbers. "Gluteal Dynos" are too prone to placebo effect; you EXPECT it to feel more powerful and so it does. I'll trust the machine, thanks. | ||
| Thumper2811 |
I'll always use a K&N filter. Always been good to me. Also gave me 1.5 mpg more in my V10 F-250. | ||
| Beachbuell |
Hey 147db.... Your bike is running way lean! You may want to get the race ECM installed. ... I would. As far as K&N goes, they are good. But, I have seen several post here and on other boards about quality control (metal pieces in the filters). I use what was supplied to me by Buell in their "factory race kit" and I am VERY happy. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Any time you add more air to a fire, you get more heat. If you throw in a K&N filter then you probably need to open up your intake to allow more air to REACH the filter. Just changing the filter may or may not increase your horsies. Not to mention that any time you change your intake or exhaust you should also remap the ecm. (Message edited by pwnzor on August 28, 2006) | ||
| Deth_blooms |
Hey Matt, when you say that "you probably need to open up your intake to allow more air to REACH the filter," what exactly do you mean by that, and how would you go about doing it? Sorry if it seems like a dumb question, Im new here and just got my first Buell, so Im trying to learn as much as possible. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Many people (like me) drill holes all over the stock inner airbox cover. Or you can get the open airbox kit from American Sport Bike . If you drill, just stay below the upper rim of the filter where it contacts the lid or it won't seal. I used a 1.5" hole saw and just cheesed it all over the place putting as many holes as I could fit. Also remove the plastic snorkel that drops down through the left side of the frame to the scoop. Remapping the ecm or getting a race ecm is advised. Al at American Sport Bike is the guru on this subject. (Message edited by pwnzor on August 30, 2006) | ||
| Jkhawaii |
Hey 147db.... is the plug on the left the front or rear cly plug? looks like that cly burns more oil than the other | ||
| 147db |
Left -> front, right -> rear... | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
K&N would only add power IF the stock paper filter was unable to handle the required airflow. I have a CF ham can so I need to stick with the k&N as I'm sure it gets wet in the rain- a no-no for paper. I also did multiple back to back drag strip runs on my GPz-550 with paper and with the K&N and there was no difference anywhere down the strip.Period. I also would not run them on anything that constantly sees dusty conditions, like off-roading. So yes I will continue using them, but be real, it's only an air filter! Eric, you don't have to believe me, bring your bike (after you fix it!) up to NE dragway and if it's consistantly quicker with the K&N I will pay for the paper filter! (Message edited by scott_in_nh on August 31, 2006) | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
???????? If my bike is quicker WITH the K&N filter you will buy me a papper one? Ummmm, okay. But why would I do that? I am practicly fixed. Just need to get a couple more items delivered and back in buisiness. N.E. Dragway seems like a fun time though. i may be game for that. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
What I mean Eric is buy a paper filter, if it goes quicker with the K&N I'll pay you for the paper filter. Whatever, just get that heap up to the strip with us and let's see what she (and you) can do! ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) |
