Hi folks,

Do any of you have experience with using the K&N air filter with the Northstar in your GXP? I installed one today and after taking it for a short test drive I noticed some small improvements in acceleration. Do you all have any positive or negative experiences to report?

Thanks!

_________________
AP

Owner: 2005 Bonneville GXP (purchased with 63k miles)

Formerly...
2009 GMC Canyon SLT (V8) 75k miles and SOLD
2003 Bonneville SLE - 133k miles and SOLD
1996 Firebird - 177k miles and SOLD

The quiet storm that is the low rumbling of a V8 engine in a performance machine... there's nothing quite like it.

If you notice a difference in just changing the filter, it's because your old filter was past it's recommended service life. I'm not a fan of the K&N anymore, I prefer the dry-flow filters. I run an AEM Dry-Flow filter in the stock Airbox of my Yukon.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

I wouldn't say it was a big difference. Plus, the old air filter was in fairly good condition. I noticed what I perceived to be a slightly better response in acceleration, but to be fair, that could have been psychological with the addition of a new product. Why aren't you a fan of K&N anymore, if I may ask?

_________________
AP

Owner: 2005 Bonneville GXP (purchased with 63k miles)

Formerly...
2009 GMC Canyon SLT (V8) 75k miles and SOLD
2003 Bonneville SLE - 133k miles and SOLD
1996 Firebird - 177k miles and SOLD

The quiet storm that is the low rumbling of a V8 engine in a performance machine... there's nothing quite like it.

Lots of ruined MAF's, and it doesn't seem like they filter all that well.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

1) That difference you're feeling is their marketing. They tell you replacing their filter will net you xx extra HP, so you think you feel it when you change it. Reality is, you won't gain a *dang* thing and you certainly won't feel it with your butt dyno. Years back, in another car (my Z28), I did back to back pulls on a dynoJet. Pull #1 was with a K&N. Pull #2 was swapping out for a regular paper Fram. The regular paper Fram put down 2 more rwhp. Point being, it was negligible. Where any real gain is to be had is in the actual intake and removing air baffles/chambers and smoothening out flow. I.E. a cold air or in the case of Bonneville's, a Fenderwell intake.

2) The MAF issue isn't from using a K&N filter, it's from people over-oiling them after cleaning. Basically people after cleaning them spray the entire *dang* can of oil back onto the filter. So as air is ingested, it soots up the thermistors on the MAF. In most cases, a simple cleaning with an electronics contact cleaner (in a spray can), or something like Brakekleen does the trick.

The real ONLY benefit of a K&N filter (or other similar oil/gauze style), filter, is from reusability. That ability to clean and re-oil for the rest of the life that you own the vehicle instead of having to buy new filters each time you're ready to replace is what makes it worthwhile.

But making more power, you wasted your money. Sorry.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

From what I read, the K&N's allow a lot of small particulates through. Depends on your opinion, but I prefer the dryflow filters now. Still cleanable and reusable, but better filtration and no oil. Just my $.02.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Not in disagreement in any way, shape, form.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

Just an old farm boy's opinion and when I say old I mean I go back to the days of oil bath air cleaners. The dry filter is the only way to go, in fact they filter better when they start to get a little dirty without a noticeable loss of performance. To me longevity is more important than any neglible performance gain. And again I guess that goes back to my farm boy days when it was a bigger sin to have down time than be caught in the hay with the farmers daughter. Donaldson makes a gauge that fits on the intake post air cleaner that indicates when it's time to clean or change the air cleaner, found on tractors and even some Chevy p/u's.

2004 Bonne SLE 157k
1971 Chevelle SS 210k

Fair enough. I had a healthy skepticism about the added power, so I'm not surprised but in terms of saving money, I like not having to buy another filter. I also definitely detect a different sound coming out of my pipes. That's good enough for me! Thanks for the insights.

_________________
AP

Owner: 2005 Bonneville GXP (purchased with 63k miles)

Formerly...
2009 GMC Canyon SLT (V8) 75k miles and SOLD
2003 Bonneville SLE - 133k miles and SOLD
1996 Firebird - 177k miles and SOLD

The quiet storm that is the low rumbling of a V8 engine in a performance machine... there's nothing quite like it.