After market air intake / filters

[BMaillol]

I'm looking to replace my 2005 stock air filter with a K&N air intake assembly.

It would appear that a lot of you are using Airaid, AFE and Scotty systems. I haven't seen a lot of talk about K&N systems! Is there a particular reason for that? Is it safe to proceed ahead with K&N, or should I not?

 

[JVantreese]

It is my understanding that the K&N does not meet the DC requirement for minimum filtration and use of one could limit your warrantee. AFE does meet the manufactures level of filtration. I have no info on Scotty or other brands. I have used a K&N system on my Jeep wrangler for 3 years with no problems but I went with the AFE for my CTD. This info was taken from Geno's Garage catalog.

 

[BC3]

I own an AFE system, used it for around 300 miles and it may be up for sale.



Its an AFE stage 2 with Torque Tube (metal) w/AFE pre filter. I was sold on the standard filter as It was said to have more flow. I know the PG7 filters more. . it also restricts more.



I used it for 300 miles tops. The problem I have is that I like to go snowmobiling. I was concerned about moisture getting directly onto the filter. One night, on a short trip back from work (less than 10miles) in a light snow fall, I popped the hood and saw quite a bit of snow and moisture beading up on the filter. I took pictures and can post if anyone wants to see.



My concerns are: What would happen if I was taking a really long trip on a cold day on the highway at freezing temps? I envisioned a chunk of ice for an air filter. . and being stuck.



Needless to say it got pulled. Im not sure what I want to do. It was also too loud for my wife's taste. . she complained louder than the intake noise while pulling a hill trailer in tow.



So -for me - good product. . just not sure if its a case of risk vs reward for my use.



Any input would be helpful. bc3

 

[JCleary]

I own an AFE system, used it for around 300 miles and it may be up for sale.



Its an AFE stage 2 with Torque Tube (metal) w/AFE pre filter. I was sold on the standard filter as It was said to have more flow. I know the PG7 filters more. . it also restricts more.



I used it for 300 miles tops. The problem I have is that I like to go snowmobiling. I was concerned about moisture getting directly onto the filter. One night, on a short trip back from work (less than 10miles) in a light snow fall, I popped the hood and saw quite a bit of snow and moisture beading up on the filter. I took pictures and can post if anyone wants to see.



My concerns are: What would happen if I was taking a really long trip on a cold day on the highway at freezing temps? I envisioned a chunk of ice for an air filter. . and being stuck.



Needless to say it got pulled. Im not sure what I want to do. It was also too loud for my wife's taste. . she complained louder than the intake noise while pulling a hill trailer in tow.



So -for me - good product. . just not sure if its a case of risk vs reward for my use.



Any input would be helpful. bc3

I had the AFE with metal TT, and I only run it during the dry months. Mine sucked in enough water to corrode the inside of the TT. I had it powder coated inside and out to keep that from happening again.



My thought is that the oil is also displaced by the water that is ingested by the motor. This IMO, would lead to less effective filtration because there's less oil for the dirt to stick to.



I cut down on the water problem by using the AFE pre-filter, but water will still get to the main filter.



I think the solution is to build a shroud like the MAC intake has to keep water/snow from hitting the filter directly.



One last note-



Some have had their stock airbox fill with slush/snow on a completely stock truck FWIW



On edit:



You do not need "more flow" than the PG7 unless you're burning a TON of fuel and running down the strip. The PG7 is more than adequate for most situations.

 

[milehigh.o.]

What about running a drop in filter. Is the K&N good for that, or is there a better brand out there?

 

[BHolm]

I think it is sound advice to not run the K&N in these trucks, drop in or otherwise. AFE does make a drop in that probably filters better and flows well enough.



I'm not sure what exactly is wrong with the stock airbox and paper filter? Paper filters work very well. They will not cause a MAF problem with oil saturation from the filter media. They do not let in excessive dirt, they are fairly cheap and very easy to find. I have never seen snow in my stock airbox(s) and my trucks have been run in northern MN for a few years. I also have been running my personal truck through the mountians of CO. I go snowmobilling, as much as 4 -5 times a week, in SERIOUS snowstorms.



It's fun to mod your truck but a specific goal with regards to the mods seems important to me. Unless you are going whole hog, turbo, trans, lots of fuel mods like a K&N aren't going to get you anything but a compromised system. Just my . 02

 

[JCleary]

I think it is sound advice to not run the K&N in these trucks, drop in or otherwise. AFE does make a drop in that probably filters better and flows well enough.



I'm not sure what exactly is wrong with the stock airbox and paper filter? Paper filters work very well. They will not cause a MAF problem with oil saturation from the filter media. They do not let in excessive dirt, they are fairly cheap and very easy to find. I have never seen snow in my stock airbox(s) and my trucks have been run in northern MN for a few years. I also have been running my personal truck through the mountians of CO. I go snowmobilling, as much as 4 -5 times a week, in SERIOUS snowstorms.



It's fun to mod your truck but a specific goal with regards to the mods seems important to me. Unless you are going whole hog, turbo, trans, lots of fuel mods like a K&N aren't going to get you anything but a compromised system. Just my . 02

My stock air filter flows just fine, whether using the Quad on the 140 or Triple Dog on Extreme. I have never pulled the filter minder down more than it would get pulled down running the AFE.



I think it's only necessary to upgrade your intake when running big turbos and lots of fuel, but not with a stock turbo. Unless you like the sound, like I do.

 

[ilovetrains]

I have changed the air intake on almost every vehicel I have ever owned. For the most part I have been able to experience a seat of the pants difference after making the change. The obvious trade off is noise. OEM parts are designed to make a compromise between flow and noise with good filtration. If you do not care about the noise, you can always get more flow.



I have to disagree with anyone that says the stock air filter will give all the air you ever need. That just cannot be true, you can always use more airflow, and you can always get more airflow. Will the stock setup do fine? Of course! Do you have to make a change, no.



FWIW I choose the AFE stage 2 for my truck. I have run K&N and Airaid before. I was always impressed with K&N but they (and Airaid for that matter) are not so popular here.

 

[pullya]

I had a 2002 Dodge and used a K&N for awhile. Had numerous problems getting it to seal correctly after you use the initial tube of "sealant" they give you. I now have a 2004 1/2 Dodge and just installed a aFe 7 and so far so good. I was replacing stock filters every 10,000 miles because they were getting so dirty. In my opinion, you will probably get more air flow with an aftermarket filter but don't expect a large amount of hp gain as some claim. They all need to be kept clean.