The size of a cold air intake filter has a direct impact on performance. The larger the filter, the more air can flow through it, allowing the engine to breathe better and produce more power. If you're looking to get the most out of your vehicle, investing in a high-flow air filter is a great way to do it. When performing routine maintenance on your vehicle, it's important to pay attention to the air filter.
While paper filters need to be replaced frequently, K&N filters can be cleaned and reused over and over again, and work practically like new for the entire life of your vehicle. To determine the area sufficient for the required airflow, you can use the diameter of the air cleaner. The biggest concern when using an improperly sized air filter is that it may not effectively prevent dust buildup on the motors and blowers of your HVAC system. High-flow air filters, sometimes called high-performance air filters, are a great option if you're looking to increase power, fuel efficiency, or simply reduce the hassle of changing your air filter regularly.
K&N tests have shown that for most two- and four-barrel carburettors, the airflow is greater when the diameter of the air cleaner is large compared to the height. The only exception to this rule is when a filter element is attached to a long channel, such as in the cold air inlets of EFI engines. One problem that has been observed is that, due to increased air intake, high-performance filters can expose the engine to more debris and contaminants. It's very similar to a vacuum cleaner; when you notice a decrease in power, a dirty filter can be the cause because air is literally pushed through the price of your vehicle's energy.
The most important function of the air filter is to protect the engine from dirt and debris, and most filters work quite well. One of the advantages of a high flow air filter is that unlike normal air filters, there is no need to change it every year. Paper filters are usually very efficient at trapping dirt for that reason, but paper filters have two main challenges. First, they need to be replaced frequently.
Second, once the pores of the filter are clogged, air no longer flows as freely into the engine, resulting in less power and acceleration.
