K&N Street Metal Air Intake Can Add Serious Passing Power to Your Harley Twin-Cam

Jan 4, 2017

Boost performance on your Harley V-Twin with the K&N RK-3946 Street Metal High-Flow Intake System

It could be argued that Harley Davidson is the most iconic American motorcycle brand in history. They started way back in 1903, served in two world wars, and have dominated the roads and pop culture ever since. Part of what makes them so recognizable is the deafening "Potato! Potato!" exhaust note. Not only are their engines huge, but the aircooled Harley V-Twin setup allows them to create massive amounts of torque all the way through the revband. The 2008-2011 Harley Davidson Twin Cam 96 V-Twin and 2009-2015 Harley Davidson Twin Cam 103 V-Twin are two of the latest generation engines, and they feature modern tech like electronic fuel injection and 4-valve heads. With loads of torque in stock form, the big Harley V-Twin can easily muscle you down the road. But if you want even more pulling power, then you're going to want a K&N RK-3946 Street Metal High-Flow Intake System.

In order to convert gasoline into noise and power, the Harley V-Twin draws in air through the stock paper air filter, then mixes it with the gas inside the cylinders. As the fuel is ignited, that air serves as a catalyst for the detonation. However, the air being collected through the stock intake has a tendency to be warm and turbulent due to the restrictive design. Air has to enter a small hole behind the chrome air cleaner cover, then pass through the thick paper air filter, which usually has a layer of dirt collected on the surface. This reduces the oxygen content of the air, which in turn reduces the amount of horsepower and torque that the engine can make during the combustion cycle. The K&N RK-3946 Street Metal High-Flow Intake System on the other hand, is designed to reduce the airflow restrictions and let in more cold air. It also looks great, and that K&N performance air filter can go up to 100,000 miles before it needs to be cleaned (depending on road conditions).

The key to this K&N High-Flow Intake is the internal run breather system, which collects a much larger volume of cold air through the exposed cotton-gauze air filter, then injects it directly into the throttle body on the side of the motor. This steady flow of cold air allows the Harley V-Twin to make power at much lower RPMs, resulting in faster throttle response and a lot more passing power. This power increase was verified by installing a K&N RK-3946 Street Metal Intake System on a 2015 Harley Street Glide 103ci, then testing it on a chassis dyno. The results showed an estimated increase of 7.56 horsepower and 8.96 lb-ft of torque. Of course your individual results may vary, based on the condition, modifications and mileage on your specific Harley.

Dyno results for a 2015 Harley Davidson Street Glide Twin Cam 103 V-Twin running the K&N RK-3946 Str

Tight emissions standards in California, as well as other states that use California Emissions Standards, prevent the K&N RK-3946 Intake System from being street legal in those states. To find out if this system is street legal in your state, click here.

From extra power, to a beautiful chrome finish, the K&N RK-3946 Street Metal High-Flow Intake is the perfect upgrade for your Harley. To learn more about this and other K&N Harley Davidson performance parts, click here to use the Search by Vehicle Tool, or here to find a K&N dealer near you.

Features & Benefits of the K&N RK-3946 Street Metal High-Flow Intake System

Designed for the 2008-2011 Harley Davidson Twin Cam 96 V-Twin and 2009-2015 Harley Davidson Twin Cam 103 V-Twin

Guaranteed to increase horsepower

Guaranteed to increase torque

Provides faster throttle response

Additional airflow allows the V-Twin engine to produce power at low RPMs

Improves engine sound

Uses a double gasket to prevent vibration

Includes a sturdy billet aluminum mounting plate and polished cover

Washable K&N performance air filter can last up to 100,000 miles before cleaning is required (depending on road conditions)

Installation takes around 90 minutes

Backed by the K&N 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty

2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRXS ROAD GLIDE SPECIAL 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX ROAD GLIDE 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLRT FREEWHEELER 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXS STREET GLIDE SPECIAL 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTKL ULTRA LIMITED LOW 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE ULTRA 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUL ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC LOW 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 103 CI - All Models
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 103 CI - All Models
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA LIMITED 103 CI - All Models
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE ULTRA 103 CI - All Models
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX ROAD GLIDE CUSTOM 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRU ROAD GLIDE ULTRA 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA LIMITED 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX ROAD GLIDE CUSTOM 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRU ROAD GLIDE ULTRA 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA LIMITED 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 103 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX ROAD GLIDE CUSTOM 96 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRU ROAD GLIDE ULTRA 103 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXXX STREET GLIDE TRIKE 103 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTP ELECTRA GLIDE POLICE 103 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA LIMITED 103 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC 96 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 96 CI - All Models
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHP ROAD KING POLICE 103 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX ROAD GLIDE CUSTOM 96 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXXX STREET GLIDE TRIKE 103 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTP ELECTRA GLIDE POLICE 103 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA LIMITED 103 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC 96 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC 96 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 96 CI - All Models
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHP ROAD KING POLICE 103 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTR ROAD GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTP ELECTRA GLIDE POLICE 103 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 103 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC 96 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT ELECTRA GLIDE STANDARD 96 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC 96 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 96 CI - All Models
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHP ROAD KING POLICE 103 CI - All Models
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTR ROAD GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE 96 CI - All Models
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC 96 CI - All Models
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT ELECTRA GLIDE STANDARD 96 CI - All Models
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC 96 CI - All Models
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 96 CI - All Models