KN air intake system

[BARNES]

I have a 96, E350 Ford class C motor home. Was wondering if a K&N air intake system for the 460ci would help with the gas mileage.

At this time I am getting 8.0 to 8.5mpg on highway speeds.

Any ideas?


Larry

[bluepill]

"Performance" intake systems (note that I have it in quotes - most don't do much of anything for performance) are designed with the "idea" of increasing engine output - ie horespower and torque.

That would happen at near full throttle, if at all. Increasing MPG would be something that happens at smaller throttle openings.

I was in the auto repair business for 45 years, and saw all sorts of BS devices promoted - none have ever worked.

Keep the engine in tune and practice MPG improving driving habits. That will be your best you can do.

Google "HyperMiling" for tips that can save you 10-20% depending on how you drive now.

[nbounder]

I had my own auto business for years, focusing on high performance Chevys. As Bluepill said most of the 'add on this giz to gain 50% more horsepower were total phonys. I found that most of the improvements realized by customers were due to either A) the customer's imagination or B) the customer had almost never mashed the pedal into the floor before, and when he did (after the 'upgrade') it was absolutely amazing. Recommend not to waste your bucks. Follow bluepills suggestions above.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BARNES I have a 96, E350 Ford class C motor home. Was wondering if a K&N air intake system for the 460ci would help with the gas mileage. At this time I am getting 8.0 to 8.5mpg on highway speeds. Any ideas? maybe Larry

a k&n filter element will help a little for both power and mileage.
i get MAYBE .5 mpg better from the k&n filter element and dual low restriction aero mufflers.
imho the expensive ''cai'' systems are a waste of money.
rather than the k&n filter element, i would install an s&b element. the s&b is thicker for better filtration, still very low restriction.
they are both oiled gauze filters.

[Clay L]

The K&N air filter systems apparently don't test very well.

SEE HERE

And HERE

[bluepill]

Clay, Thanks for the links.

When you see the little Honda Civics buzzing around with fart-can mufflers and blowing out blue smoke from oil burning, I'll bet it's piston ring / cylinder damage from poorly filtered air rather than bouncing off the rev limiter that's to blame.

[BARNES]

Thanks for the links too. I guess by improving the air flow you must have less filtering.

I bought a Fram filter for $10.95 v/s the $39.95 for the K&N.

Larry

[336muffin]

I might be wrong, a modern computerized, fuel injected engine only takes in a predetermined amount of air per RPM and throttle position. I have run K&N filters in the past only because of extreme dirty operating conditions, and it was cheaper in the long run to reuse the filter. I was buying a air filter every two months and it don't take long to pay for itself. For my application,400 Cat, $390 is too much for a reusable filter to use on the highway.

[OSP1268]

Another problem with the K&N and some of the others out there is that you have to clean and re-oil the filter. If you happen to get to much oil on the filter, the oil will foul the Mass Air Flow sensor, which will set a check engine light, and then you have to replace the MAF as it usually cannot be cleaned.