Latest News

Can a Cold Air Intake Really Help Your Import Make More Power?

Installing a K&N cold air intake into your sport compact is a guaranteed way to make more horsep

Installing a K&N cold air intake into your sport compact is a guaranteed way to make more horsepower

Cold air intakes are an extremely easy way to add horsepower, torque, and throttle response to modern and classic imports. Engines get their power by sucking in air, mixing it with fuel, and combusting that air/fuel mixture. To make more power, add more air, to which the ECU adds more fuel. Popular engines like the Toyota 1JZ/2JZ, Nissan SR20DET, Honda K20A2, and Mazda 13B respond very well to the addition of extra air. A cold air intake helps get that much-needed air into the engine. Thanks to companies like K&N Engineering, your engine can breathe easier and is protected from harmful impurities that could damage your engine.

K&N cold air intakes offer increased airflow while maintaining excellent filtration. At the heart of the K&N intake is an oiled cone or cylinder shaped air filter. These pleated filters feature several layers of cotton that is sandwiched between aluminum mesh for rigidity. The cotton is then coated in a special grade of oil to make the cotton fibers extremely tacky. This means that even though it allows more air through it than a typical paper air filter, it effectively traps dirt, dust, and other contaminants that may cause damage to your engine. Another benefit is that once it is dirty, it doesn’t have to be thrown away, like OE paper air filters. It can be washed and reused over and over again. In fact, K&N guarantees their kits to last with a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty. So you may never have to buy another filter for your car again.

The next piece of the K&N cold air intake system is either an enclosed air box or self-sealing heatshield. The amount of air getting into the engine is only one part of the horsepower equation. Another part is the quality of the air, specifically the temperature. Hot air contains fewer oxygen molecules than cold air. The heatshield or air box helps keep hot engine bay air out of the intake, allowing cooler outside air to get to your engine. This provides more oxygen molecules for the fuel to bond with, creating a bigger, more explosive burn, resulting in more power.

Plastic intake tubes allow the air to be precisely routed for the most power and driveability

Plastic intake tubes allow the air to be precisely routed for the most power and driveability

Plumbing the filter and heatshield to the throttle body is an air tube. K&N makes several different styles of tubes. From powder-coated aluminum to plastic, these tubes all provide one common thing: a large, smooth, less restrictive path to the engine. This allows the engine to not have to work as hard to get the air it needs. It also lessens the turbulence of the air. The smoother, or more laminar the flow of the air, the better it will mix with the fuel. You can see where this is headed. Basically it comes down to more air and a better quality of air results in bigger horsepower numbers.

K&N tests all of their cold air intakes before they go into production for fit, style, and function. They also install the kits on test vehicles to confirm they install easily and to test the power gains. These dyno numbers are available for each intake and can be found on the product page for the intake. This allows customers to see the estimated increase that they will see with a K&N intake. For more information on cold air intakes for imports or any other car, truck, SUV, boat, snowmobile, RV, or anything else you might own, visit knfilters.com.

K&N cold air intakes typically consist of a filter, heatshield, intake tube, and hardware

K&N cold air intakes typically consist of a filter, heatshield, intake tube, and hardware

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

The 2018 Shelby GT500 is Almost Here, What Does K&N Have in Store for this Monster?

The K&N 57 Series FIPK Intake increases power while meeting CARB emmissions standards

K&N 57-2571 air intake system added an estimated 53.7 horsepower to the 2007-2009 Shelby GT500

One of the most anticipated muscle cars coming out this year – or any of the last few years – is the Ford Shelby GT500. Unlike some recent vehicle releases from other manufacturers, the Shelby GT500 can do it all: acceleration, braking, and cornering.

While there was some anticipation that the GT500 might be powered by a version of EcoBoost V6 under the rear hatch of the Ford GT, it appears the Blue Oval folks have gone the cubic inch route, much like Chevy and Dodge.

Word on the street is that a new 7.0L (427!) DOHC V8, code named 7X, developed initially for light truck application, will see duty in both the Shelby GT500 and the next Ford Raptor. It’s part of a $600 million investment Ford is making in the Windsor, Ontario, engine plant.

The other engine that seems to be part of the discussion is to supercharge the existing 5.0L V8. Dodge added 220 horsepower to the 392ci motor to create the Hellcat so it’s a viable path.

Little else is known about the new Shelby GT500. One can take some clues from both its current competitors as well as the last generation Shelby GT500. Horsepower can be expected to be in the range of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at 650 horsepower and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat at 707 horsepower. It’s likely that Ford will ignore the Challenger SRT Demon as it’s specifically designed for drag racing only and not all-around performance like the GT500.

From a chassis standpoint, expect a carryover of the existing Mustang four-wheel independent suspension with some heavy tuning to make it instantly track-ready. Likewise, wheels and tires will likely go to 20 inches, which provides for more room for larger rotors and calipers. Exotic pad and rotor materials have been rumored.

All these likelihoods have been on the minds of K&N engineers. They’ve been assessing the engine bay of a Mustang GT to determine the impact of a 7.0L V8, a supercharged 5.0L, or even a twin-turbo V6. Why? Buyers of the Shelby GT500 will want to track the cars as soon as possible, and being enthusiasts will want an immediate edge against other cars and other Shelby GT500 as well.

So K&N is standing by to begin the development process for a replacement filter, cold air intake system, oil filter, or even a cabin air filter regardless of which engine is selected. And don’t forget that K&N developed the 57-2571 performance air intake system that demonstrated in chassis dynamometer tests that it added an estimated 53.7 horsepower to the rear wheels of 2007-2009 Ford Mustang Shelby models. We’re not saying that you can expect 50 additional HP out of the 2018 GT500, but only time will tell!

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

Clean the Air You Breathe with K&N Washable and Reusable Cabin Air Filters

air filter

Protecting the engine in your sport compact is vitally important. Without it, you are going nowhere, fast. What if we told you there was something more important to protect than your engine? That would be you, your friends, and your family. Obviously you need to wear seat belts and your car probably already has a multitude of airbags, but there is something else that is being incorporated into more and more modern vehicles for the health of the occupants. We are talking about cabin air filters. The air that you breathe is as important as the air your engine breathes, right? We put so much emphasis on changing your engine air filter but when was the last time you thought about your cabin air filter?

Luckily, companies have started to realize the importance of these filters and have begun making better filters to replace the OE paper versions to help clean the air we breathe. One of those companies is K&N Engineering. K&N has been in business since 1969 and they know a thing or two about automotive air filtration. Their new washable and reusable cabin air filters are a breath of fresh air (literally). Having made washable and reusable replacement engine air filters for decades, K&N making cabin air filters is a no-brainer.

K&N’s cabin air filters are made of an innovative synthetic filtration media sandwiched between two layers of epoxy coated aluminum for rigidity and durability. The filter is also surrounded by a urethane frame for an OE level of fitment. K&N test fits each filter to ensure it will fit comfortably in the stock cabin air filter housing. The K&N cabin air filters go beyond just a dry synthetic media. The media is coated in a biodegradable formula that adds an electrostatic charge to the filter. This helps to grab and hold on to particles as they pass through the filter so you don’t breathe them in. These particles include mold, mildew, fungus, allergens, bacteria, spores, and other debris that might make its way into the cabin of your car.

clean air filter

When it is time to clean the filter, which K&N recommends doing every 12 months or 12,000 miles, all you have to do is remove the filter from the housing, which is typically located under the hood or under the dash, and spray it with K&N’s cabin air filter cleaner. Then rinse it clean, spray it with the refresher spray and reinstall it. That is a much better system than throwing it away and buying a new one every year. So even at the slightly higher cost of a K&N cabin air filter, you will be saving money in the long run. And if you are worried about the filter wearing out after a couple cleaning cycles, K&N guarantees the filter will last for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

So if you haven’t checked your cabin air filter in a while, it might be worth it to invest in a K&N washable and reusable cabin air filter. You don’t know what kinds of things you could be breathing in every time you take your car for a drive. Check out knfilters.com for more information on this new line of filters. While you are there you can see everything they make for your car or any other vehicle you own.

clean air filter

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

Kevin Harvick Returns to K&N Pro Series West Race in Sonoma and Takes the Win

NASCAR, K&N Pro Series West, Kevin Harvick, Sonona Raceway

Kevin Harvick won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma Raceway

Kevin Harvick returned to his California roots in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Sonoma Raceway. It didn’t take long for him to return to his winning ways either.

Harvick won the Carneros 200 at Sonoma Raceway, holding off K&N Pro Series West regular Will Rodgers. It was the seventh career win for Harvick in the K&N Pro Series West. He won the 1998 NASCAR Winston West championship, the predecessor of the K&N Pro Series West, and the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

“It always feels good to win no matter what it is,” said Harvick, who raced late models at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, California, before moving up the NASCAR ladder. “The main objective was to come have fun, shine a little light on the series and shine a little light on how much talent is in the series. This particular series did a lot for me and to come back and be a part of it, see the health of it and see the young guys racing was the main objective.”

NASCAR, K&N Pro Series West, Kevin Harvick, Sonona Raceway

Kevin Harvick won his seventh NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma Raceway

Harvick led the final 23 laps of the race, taking the lead from Michael Self on lap 42.

“It’s always fun to race in front of your home state fans,” Harvick said. “It’s been a long time since I raced in this particular series here, so it was a fun weekend.”

Rodgers, a 22-year-old rookie from Murrieta, California, won the pole and led for the first 26 laps of the race. His second-place finish was his best showing in 14 career K&N Pro Series West races.

“For some funny reason, I had a feeling as far back as four weeks ago that it was going to be me and Kevin coming into turn 11 on the last lap," Rodgers said after the race on Saturday. "And sure enough, there we were. He ran a really good race, I learned a lot from him. We were able to lead some laps there in the beginning. It doesn't feel too bad to finish second today."

NASCAR, K&N Pro Series West, Kevin Harvick, Sonona Raceway

Kevin Harvick led the final 23 laps of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma Raceway

David Mayhew finished fourth, followed by Self in fifth place. Todd Gilliland, the leader in the K&N Pro Series West standings, was sixth.

Gilliland holds an 11-point lead over Chris Eggleston in the K&N Pro Series West standings. Eggleston was 10th in the K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma.

The next K&N Pro Series race is at Iowa Speedway. It is a combined race for the K&N Pro Series East and West drivers and teams.

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

Bryan Fuller’s First Competition Frame Project Inspires Limited Run Street Tracker

The Fuller Moto Street Tracker side view

Fuller Moto's Street Tracker has the stance and performance of a full flat tracker (Photo Nick Rico)

It didn’t take long for Bryan Fuller to get fired up about the opportunity to work on a true competition flat track race bike. The master builder, designer, author, TV personality, and friend of K&N is always up for a new challenge.

“Instantly this project got me excited,” Fuller said. “This was going to be our first real race chassis! A lot of the same techniques and skills used for our small production runs of frames that we have created over the years came into play. We were getting our chance to break into racing and it was up to us now to build it to the level that these bikes could withstand 130 mph around a track and go for the win.”

The project got its start when David Lloyd, crew chief and co-owner of Lloyd Brothers Motorsports, came to Fuller with the idea of teaming up on the build. Lloyd knew what design elements and tweaks he wanted in the bike and he knew that Fuller Moto had the design and fabrication experience to bring the race bike to fruition. The racing knowledge-base that Lloyd possessed and the bike building expertise of Fuller came together in a kind of high-octane perfect storm.

World Champion Racer Johnny Lewis riding the Fuller Moto Street Tracker

World Champion Racer Johnny Lewis walked away from the Street Tracker impressed (Photo Nick Rico)

“Working alongside Lloyd Brothers, we knew what wasn’t working,” Fuller said. “We also had a strong idea of the bike characteristics that if manipulated, could be a game changer for the team. In addition, Fuller Moto brought some new idea improvements to the equation, like building the breather into the frame, which is an old custom technique.”

After the two companies had their meeting of the minds, the initial groundwork stage took some time.

“The full development process took about six weeks,” said Fuller. “The beginning set-up took the longest because we made a new JIG filtering system and new neck fixture.”

Fuller knew that Lloyd Brothers Motorsports would be ordering multiple frames, so the fabrication setup would have to be up to the task of duplicating the process in a streamlined and very accurate way. That fact proved inspirational for Fuller.

The Fuller Moto Street Tracker engine view with K&N filter

That's a K&N filter providing performance and protection for the Street Tracker (Photo Nick Rico)

“The idea occurred to me,” said Fuller, “why not also create a Limited Edition Pro Street Tracker Series at the same time?”

Fuller’s revelation brought another exciting facet to his already intriguing project. When the competition frames were complete and proving to be very successful for Lloyd Brothers in the American Flat Track (AFT) series, Fuller turned his full attention to the Street Tracker.

“As Lloyd Brothers Racing Team began winning more places in the AFT Series with their updated bikes, we got to work building the first Limited Edition Series Pro Street Tracker,” said Fuller.

The mission was clear. “It was very important to me that this bike perform beautifully both on the track and on the street,” Fuller said.

Fuller decided to make subtle but important tweaks to the race frame geometry in its metamorphosis to a street-worthy machine. The real-world ergonomics of the Street Tracker were enhanced with a +3-degree rake, a 1-inch stretch, and swing-arm modifications to slightly lengthen the wheelbase. The ergonomic modifications did not hamper the cutting edge handling of the Street Tracker; they simply made the bike more suitable for street duty.

Not only did Fuller want the bike to perform like the race version, he also wanted to retain the race-inspired look. He incorporated the same fiberglass as used on the race bike bodywork, but he trimmed it down a bit for a more tailored appearance.

The Fuller Moto Street Tracker front view

Think of the Street Tracker as a competition bike with lights (Photo Nick Rico)

“Aesthetically I wanted to keep it classic Ducati, emulating the beautiful Italian Ducati paint schemes of the past and future,” said Fuller.

To test how well the Street Tracker would perform in the dirt, Fuller turned to World Champion Racer Johnny Lewis. Lewis has raced for Lloyd Brothers in the past and now runs a flat track training school.

“Riding the Ducati Street Tracker, which matched the geometry of the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Ducati I have raced in the past, was unique being that it felt like I was literally on my race bike with head light and electric start,” reported Lewis. “I didn’t expect to be backing a street bike into a corner on a 1/4 mile oval dirt track by the second lap. The fit and feel of the bike is spot on for a street performance motorcycle, providing a handling experience capable of taking off the head lights and going racing at a top level.”

Clearly Fuller’s Street Tracker is as close to a competition flat track racer as you will find in a street legal platform. “It is about the only street tracker you can buy that has direct lineage from a race bike,” said Fuller. “It is the real deal.”

Of course, Fuller’s first-of-the-series #1 Street Tracker breathes clean and easy trough a K&N pod air filter. For all of your filtration needs check out K&N’s easy-to-navigate online search tool.

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N