Wanted to share impressions about K&N filter charger kit. Actually I installed it at almost the same time with borlas. Very easy to install, relatively inexpensive ($285 delivered), awesome sound when pushed hard, and yet sounds almost as stock when driven normaly. After driving for couple of weeks:
1. substantially improved mid/high range torque
2. improved (by 1-2 mpg) fuel economy
3. unnoticable changes (if any) under hard acceleration
And finaly something money can't buy- eyes of the carrera-2 driver(not the latest model) on route 78 in Jersey when caught and passed in 3-d, 4th gears at around 90-100 mph and who was pushing as hard as he could not to let me pass (don't know why) for couple of miles at least. Or maybe my eyes... I didn't expect anything like that.
Maybe not the smartest thing to do in the morning traffic, but definetly very invigorating!

 

Sounds good, Isaak. How about pictures? Why did you go with this instead of Weapon*R, Swift (price probably), or maybe RMM?

 

Honestly, didn't consider other options. Having spent some time in rallie (class A-2) back in 80-s still remember and respect K&N.
For us then it was the thing to have. Don't know much about other manufacturers. Do their products give better performance/quality? Do they participate in any professional racing? Always willing to learn... .
Thank you

 

Isaak,

Glad you like your product. I was looking on the K&N website after seeing your post. Do you have the FIPK (Fuel Injection Performance Kit) 57-9011? It's a pretty good looking pipe and heat shield.
It is listed for almost $500. Where did you order it for under $300 delivered?
K&N specifies typical 11hp gain. Were you able to confirm this? Would love to see some dyno numbers.
What material is the tube construction?

Lastly, I was impressed by two things:
"Because they meet the standards of the C.A.R.B., FIPK's come with a high temperature label that contains an E.O. number."
"10 Year / Million Mile Limited Warranty".

Pardon all the questions, Isaak, but you're one of the first I know of on ClubLexus with the full K&N intake kit. Any details are appreciated.

Welcome to ClubLexus.

 

Isaak - thanks for the info. Hey QBranch, that intake looks GREEEAAAAT.

Isaak - everyone who has the Swift Racing intake (SRI) which has a 'piggyback' ECU (modifies the air/fuel mixture) says it makes low rpm pick up WORSE than stock but that as the rpms pick up there's MORE power.

Did you notice any negatives to the performance behavior after installing the intake?

 

I got my intake from Summit Racing. They list it for $305.99 plus I had a coupon for 10% off. The car certaintly doesn't feel slower on lower RPM but as I said there is a quite noticeable difference once you'll get above 3000. The factory numbers support it as well. They indicate increased horsepower between 3000-4500 RPM. Under heavy breathing, the engine sounds similar to big American V8-s (Corvette/Mustang), you'll love it. Installation is very simple (they provide detailed photo instructions), and it doesn't take more than an hour and a half. Once installed, you'll notice a jump in idle RPM by 200-300 RPM. I guess its normal,since more air is getting into the engine. The ECU resets itself to new airflow within a couple of hours of driving. Make sure you disconnect the battery, that will reset the ECU.Unfortunately, I can't compare K&N to other products because I don't know much about them. But I certainly trust K&N, their huge racing experience (most important test for me), and certainly would suggest to get this product.

 

I saw it listed on Summit for $322 and change and back-ordered until 2/12/02. How'd you get a 10% coupon by the way?

PerformanceProducts.com doesn't list it although they're listed as an online retailer on K&N's site.

 

Can you post the part number for the K&N setup? I can not seem to locate it on the Summit web site.

Thanks very much.

 

The K&N part # is 57-9011 I think, and you can look up by manufacturer's part #.

 

Do they make one for us 430 owners?

 

Part # is KNN- 57-9011. They probably had a price increase since I've placed my order (mid- December). I got 10% off coupon when I ordered Borla from them. It was printed right on the invoice.
The code is L61231. ...I just checked the invoice, unfortunately it expired December 31st, otherwise you guys could try to use it again.
I am almost sure that same part will fit GS430 as well. But you need to call K&N just in case.
Almost forgot, the material for the pipe is some kind of hard plastic, similar to original pipe. Before instalation make sure to carefully inspect the inside of that tube. In my case it had few little thin peaces of plastic inside barely hanging on the thread. My guess, these are the leftovers from high pressure molding/drilling that should be removed at the factory but for some reason never had. In any case make sure to remove them, or they will end up in the throttle body, and may jam the butterfly valve (god forbid if in open position). Or you can get "lucky" and they will end up in the engine, potentially jaming the engine valve or else... .
Good luck!!!

 

Hey Isaak where in NJ are you...I would like to come and check out your intake..because I have always been interested in a plastic intake because it would stay cooler than the metal ones that we have (SRT).

I'm in Bayonne, right by Jersey City. I could let you try out the SRT intake on my car and you could hear what it sounds like and we could compare the 2 for the rest of the board!!!



Joe...

 

Joe, that would be HUGELY valuable. Hope you can do this comparison!!!

 

I was thinking of getting the SRT intake. I was under the impression that because of the ECU feature it would maximize the fuel air mix? Does the Weapon*R come with a ECU and is it really needed? I was also thinking about getting the Borla exhaust. I want something that is quiet but flows great. Could I get some help on this matter because it sounds like you guys have a handle on this issue. Any ideas would help.

 

SandRock - in theory, SRT's ECU helps the fuel flow match the increased airflow. Weapon*R has an optional ECU for big bucks (total package over $1000 I think). I don't know if the ECU is really needed with either.

Borla exhaust is NOT quiet (compared to stock). The *stock* exhaust flows great, but just sounds very quiet. I like the sound of the Borla and L-Tuned, etc., but they're not quiet at part or wide open throttle.