[Eastman]

What are the opinions on fitting K&N factory replacement airfilters?

 

[Gti Fly]

Opinions vary on this one

Some reckon that often, aftermarket filters that use oil (like k+n) can cause long term damage to the MAF, leading in poor performance.

It's also said that the performance gained isn't very noticeable anyway by some.

I've never tried one myself, and I'm abit put off with all the stories of MAF's going awol (as they aren't cheap to replace).

A good friend of mine however has just stuck a K+N panel filter in his R32, and he swears it now pulls much harder top end. Whether or not he's just imagining this, I dont know. But I will be driving his car very shortley to compare..

I'll let you know what I find out soon...

 

[Eastman]

Thanks GTI fly. I know exactly what you mean now.

I must admit though - Back in the days of my Fiat Tipo Granturismo-

I took the airfilter out and relaced it with cotton lining. The sound was awesome and the Tipo did pull away alot cleaner. Wont be doing that to the Golf though!

 

[smithjoe]

wouldnt worry about the MAF going as this can happen to a standard golf, the MAF are rubbish basicly .

 

[Gti Fly]

Yes they maybe rubbish, but would you want take the chance that the MAF will die quicker if you use an aftermarket filter?

for an extra 2-3bhp, is it really worth risking a ?200 maf?

Guess it depends on your views

 

[MrW]

I've got an ITG panel filter - used in conjunction with a CAI there seems to be a distinct increase in pull all the way through the rev range.

I used the ITG as it's got only trace elements of oil on it (ie. not enough to screw up the MAF) - I've been using it now for 6 months with no problems.

 

[Black V5]

I must admit I have seen no performance difference since installing the K&N filter, - I may take it back out and replace with a standard to see though...

 

[Geeba]

Just bought a Evo CAI from the States but cant say wether it works well or not as I broke my wrist the same weekend so haven't been able to fit it!

 

[Starry]

ive had a k&n fitted for about a year now and after taking it to jabba for a map last week mike told me that the maf was coverd in the oil out of the filter and has told me to cean the maf again in a couple of months..

 

[asgh4r]

Yeh i also had a filter on mine, and it hs messed up my MAF (gutted). There are other types of filters you can get i think that dont have oil in them (jabbasport). Must say the increase was marginal, and could of been more psychological than anything else!

 

[jrdv5]

I put a K&N in my V5. I hardly noticed the difference in power and a short while later the MAF needed replacing. Thankfully I got it done under warranty. In my old 2.0 Litre however the K&N made a bigger difference but nothing really special. I think the removal of the dead leaves and other debris from the air box during installation had more to do with the performance increase. I now use standard filters and replace them very often to maximise performance. At about ?10 a time it's not too bad.

 

[Si_1.8_GTI]

Starry. I've got the standard air filter in my car and have noticed some small oil deposits in the intake pipe and on the MAF. How did Jabba recommend that you clean your MAF as I've been told that you can do more harm than good?

 

[Jace]

Ive put a piper-x in my PD150 & noticed a little gain mid range, but I also use BP ulitmate & millers diesel power booster, so it may just be all in the head. [?]

 

[Matty H]

My piper-x on the 4mo is the only filter that i have ever had where i can really feel a difference. It revs more freely and feels like it has more punch. It could do with better cold air feed but you can't have it all.

 

[mark__4]

do 1.4's have maf and where is the throttle body located as i need to clean mine?

 

[Mtek]

Well, on stock/remaped TDI's a "performance" filter or intake just makes no difference on the rr or the road. On the gassers I'm not so sure, especially on the n/a engines that could benefit more.

The MAF will die sooner because of the oil acumulation, unless you clean also the maf regularly.

 

[SimonGTI]

I've got the pipercross replacement element and an 80mm air feed. The
biggest restriction on the standard air box is that snorkel. The
combination of the two feels better than the standard setup.