K&N drop in filter question

[iamproph]

Just got the call from Pep Boys that my K&N filter came in. Any DIY around, I have been looking on the search but to no avail. I feel pretty stupid because I have a feeling it is REALLY easy. Any help would be appreciated I am heading to pick it up in an hour.

[CHECKERED]

Just got the call from Pep Boys that my K&N filter came in. Any DIY around, I have been looking on the search but to no avail. I feel pretty stupid because I have a feeling it is REALLY easy. Any help would be appreciated I am heading to pick it up in an hour.

if you look at the air box its pretty strait forward, you will figure it out.

[JOS4AUDI]

Its pretty easy just look at the airbox the hardest part is fitting your hands in there no room to work.Just a few screws. good mod!

[whartung]

Just got the call from Pep Boys that my K&N filter came in. Any DIY around, I have been looking on the search but to no avail. I feel pretty stupid because I have a feeling it is REALLY easy. Any help would be appreciated I am heading to pick it up in an hour.

it isn't as easy as you'd expect. It's by no means hard, but it could be easier. My experience, which is probably not one to model yours on, was that I had to undo the screws holding on the snorkel in the grille, remove both the upper and the lower snorkel as best as i could, although the upper one is also used as a support for some tube running through the compartment (i broke the little rubber thing on the tube used to support it to the snorkel, but whatever). This let me undo the two screws on the upper part of the airbox, which i then couldnt figure out how to open all the way, and i ended up ripping the original filter out piece by piece and just sliding the thinner K&N in and voila. I cut the hell out of my hands pulling out the paper filter though. Oh well. See if you can't do it a better way.

-W

[JOS4AUDI]

it isn't as easy as you'd expect. It's by no means hard, but it could be easier. My experience, which is probably not one to model yours on, was that I had to undo the screws holding on the snorkel in the grille, remove both the upper and the lower snorkel as best as i could, although the upper one is also used as a support for some tube running through the compartment (i broke the little rubber thing on the tube used to support it to the snorkel, but whatever). This let me undo the two screws on the upper part of the airbox, which i then couldnt figure out how to open all the way, and i ended up ripping the original filter out piece by piece and just sliding the thinner K&N in and voila. I cut the hell out of my hands pulling out the paper filter though. Oh well. See if you can't do it a better way.

-W

hahahhahahahah i didnt want to write all that but thats exactly right down to breaking that little rubber thing what happened to me.

[RAudi Driver]

Save your motor and don't use the K&N filter.

[whartung]

Save your motor and don't use the K&N filter.

BOOOO don't make me question spent money

[whartung]

hahahhahahahah i didnt want to write all that but thats exactly right down to breaking that little rubber thing what happened to me.

pretty ridiculous huh?

[JOS4AUDI]

pretty ridiculous huh?

Yes id say so! I don't think it was a waste my car sounds better and that huge filter that came out wasn't doing any good if you ask me. Plus i feel like it pulls harder in second gear thats wear i notice it nothing crazy just better.

[Captain Insano]

This sounds like the hardest K&N install I've ever heard of. I've done a couple on other models and it was a piece of cake. Sounds like a real PITA for this car though.

[sakimano]

this is the second time I've heard about K&N filters in my life...2 days ago, and now here.

What's the deal? I'm not an under-the-hood guy.

This sounds like the hardest K&N install I've ever heard of. I've done a couple on other models and it was a piece of cake. Sounds like a real PITA for this car though.

[akitamike]

Is there only one kind of K&N filter for our S4's - the kind that you have to oil, or comes pre-oiled? I thought that there was some idea that the oiled filter may be bad for the mass air flow sensor b/c of the oiled surface? Anyone know if this modification is good for our S4's?

[RAudi Driver]

BOOOO don't make me question spent money

Return it! I purchased one on special order for my car and deicded that i didn't want to install it so I took it back to the store (KRAGEN) and got my money back. It was no problem.

[Captain Insano]

this is the second time I've heard about K&N filters in my life...2 days ago, and now here.

What's the deal? I'm not an under-the-hood guy.

K&N "panel" air filters are one of the most common upgrades on performance vehicles because you retain the stock air box and gain increased air flow by replacing the OEM filter (typically paper and flow sucks) with the more free flowing K&N filter. This is nice because you aren't replacing the entire intake and retaining the OEM air box functionality and everything looks bone stock. They are also pretty cheap compared to replacing the entire intake.

I've put these on all three of my Subarus (2002 WRX, 2004 STi, 2007 STi) and they were ridiculously easy to install. We're talking 20 minutes. Sucks they are a PITA on the B6 S4. Because I'm going to do one eventually.

From the general K&N air filter product description:

Features
K&N air filters are designed for your specific year, make and model
The virtually unrestricted air flow increases horsepower and acceleration while filtering out harmful particles
The K&N filter improves fuel economy saving you money at the pump
The washable and reusable pleated and oiled cotton gauze filtration medium runs up to 50,000 miles between cleanings
K&N filters are 50-state legal and will not void your vehicle warranty
Environmentally friendly, K&N air filters are reusable and reduce the volume of disposable air filters that litter land fills
Your K&N Filter is backed by 10-year / 1,000,000 Mile Warranty

Description
For more than 30 years, K&N Filters have been the choice in engine filtration. The K&N filter delivers virtually unrestricted flow letting your engine run stronger, cleaner and with greater fuel efficiency.

The secret of the K&N filter is its filter medium. Four to six sheets of pleated and oiled cotton-gauze are layered between two sheets of aluminum wire mesh. This proven design stops dirt, dust and other harmful particles like no other filter, all while clean, power-enhancing air flows freely to your engine.

Just give it a simple cleaning every 50,000 miles and your K&N filter will last for the life of your vehicle. With no costly changes and services, your K&N filter will save you money. And, you'll be helping the environment by reducing the number of disposable air filters that end up in landfills.

Get increased power and acceleration, better fuel economy from a filter that lasts for 1,000,000 miles-get a K&N.

[eweu]

For what it's worth, I've always used ITG filters in cars. They are a foam type filter, flow very well, and you don't need to re-oil them.

"High flow" filters really work well in some cars, not so much in others. I'm not sure about the 4.2L. I'm using the stock filter for now.

http://www.itgfilters.net/

[RAudi Driver]

K&N filters put too much dirt into your motor. Stay with the stocker.

[iamproph]

Installed, thanks for the input. And yes, that dreaded rubber piece you all talked about is now broken :D

Also a quick question, the big black piece that comes out that connects into the airbox, on the end is a smaller filter, mine was stuffed with crap, and I just removed it completely, will this in the long run be bad or should it be fine? My MPG has already gone up around 5-6 probably because my old filter was so dirty and covered in junk.

[iconoclast]

K&N filters put too much dirt into your motor. Stay with the stocker.

along with oil from the filter damages MAF....

[S4J]

Installed, thanks for the input. And yes, that dreaded rubber piece you all talked about is now broken :D

Also a quick question, the big black piece that comes out that connects into the airbox, on the end is a smaller filter, mine was stuffed with crap, and I just removed it completely, will this in the long run be bad or should it be fine? My MPG has already gone up around 5-6 probably because my old filter was so dirty and covered in junk.

That's your snow filter and you really don't need it. Mine disappeared one time after my car was serviced but i didn't worry about it. They become clogged and restrictive very quickly.

[iamproph]

That's your snow filter and you really don't need it. Mine disappeared one time after my car was serviced but i didn't worry about it. They become clogged and restrictive very quickly.

Yah the filter was very very thin and fine and was filled entirely with little pine needles and dust balls, I dont even see how air would get through at a good rate, glad I took it out.

[littleredwagen]

I did mine, Took off the airbox cover(which needs you to loosen one extra screw) and it was no problem

[RAudi Driver]

pine needles in the snow filter or in the air filter. I would rather the first filter catch them.

[S4J]

Pine needles and such debris are usually too heavy and fall to the bottom of the air box where you can just clean them out when you clean or change your main filter. Additionally, I'd rather have that kind of stuff go into my main filter, which has a much greater surface area, than to clog up the little snow filter and rob the car of air. However, if you are fastidious at cleaning your snow filter it would keep your main filter cleaner longer, I just think the whole process to be too much of a pain and would rather clean my K&N every 10K miles or so as I've been doing.

[EYE4SPEED]

Make sure you let the filter "air out" for a few days before install to avoid MAF problems. I think if you drive in the country/dusty roads, you might be a little more prone to dirt in the engine, but for highway driving, I'm not too concerned.

We run K&N on all our cars (had Strat on my old S4) with no issues...

[...Mark...]

I was thinking of doing this tonight seeing that i will have the box out for the plugs on the left bank. You guys have me second guessing this.

BTW whats the part number for a K&N for an 04 anyone know? Everything i see seems to say 05+ but no 04.

[poopypants]

along with oil from the filter damages MAF....

Over a period of time. It wont happen over night or in the next couple of months. The oil eats the protective coating on the sensor which then allows the sensor to give false readings and bad air/fuel mixture. I've always ran K&N in all my cars for over 2 years and its great. The airflow is not as high as foam filters, but it is more reliable. Foam filters are porous therefore they let microscopic debris through such as fine dirt and sand. BTW, they fall apart so imagine that goin into your car's internals.

[SharkyS4]

The MAF damage happens usually after the initial filter cleaning and re-oiling. Too much oil is used and consequently it drips and F's up your MAF.