DavidP wrote:




I’m not trained or certified in any automotive capacity. I’m a hobbyist that likes tinkering with my vehicles or any engine for that matter.

If you would like a comment with real world “absolute certainty”, gains are only determined on a dyno. In the real world its at the rear wheels on the road. This is where my results are based. My truck is now used only as a TV and I don’t make a habit of smoking the tires and have only done it a few times (not my bag) but it does bring a grin to my face. With VDC off, prior to the installation with 8k on the ODO I was able to get moderate break loose spinning from both rear wheels out of the hole and IMO good strong towing power in the mountains. After the installation of my K&N CAI and Borla Stainless Cat-Back exhaust I can spin the rear tires (Both tires are stock BFG AT KO’s) into cloud of smoke if I want to. The out of the hole throttle response and power delivery is in your face, instant on, and not comparable to stock. It truly let the beast out. In fact I just replaced my KO’s after 60K and gave em a nice spin prior to getting the new ones installed. Nothing like the sound of a big V8 making power! The power is night and day, especially in the mid to upper RPM range. But more important for a TV I have enjoyed much more noticeable power in the mountains where it counts. That’s about as “certain” as one can get.

Those that have done this modification with quality performance parts know what gains they received, and usually it is very substantial. Seems many in this thread knock the idea of a good aftermarket exhaust and intake with no first hand experience in seeing the difference it can make. A high-end CAI and Exhaust will give you on average 20-25 more HP....that is substantial. A quality Cat-Back will also give you a nice deep rich exhaust note. Not too loud but just right. I personally am not into loud but do like the sound of performance.


Now, Can “anyone comment further with absolute certainty”?

BurbMan wrote:

OEM engineering is a balance between performance and longevity. Let's assume K&N increases power, and maybe they use them in race cars. The engine of a race car is torn down after every race, so they want power and plenty of it. Longevity is not an issue. In a street car, a more restrictive paper filter and a higher degree of filtration is required to protect the engine under a wide range of conditions to ensure longevity.

IF they could run the K&N's OEM and get the extra power WITHOUT sacrificng longevity, they would. They can't and you can't either. Most OEM set ups already have CAI from the factory, I know my '01 Suburban has one, it draws cold air from under the fenderwell, not hot air from under the hood.

Talk about exhaust systems, you need to be careful....most cat-backs will improve flow at high RPM and WOT, but reduced backpressure may reduce torque at lower RPMs, depending on the engine. More HP claims are almost always noted at high rpms and do not automatically equate to an increase in towing torque at lower rpms. Banks Engineering never produced an intake/exhaust kit for the GM 8.1 because they determined that there were no significant gains to be had over stock. That didn't stop K&N and Borla from posting +15HP claims for their set ups.

Not saying these are bad mods, just need to be aware that you are changing the "balance" of the tune engineered by the mfr.

A good example is the Ford 6.0L diesel...yes, it makes MUCH more power running with a chip, BUT tilting the balance so far towards power output really produced undesirable results on the longevity scale.

DavidP wrote:





And you base your statement on what? Dyno's don't lie, in fact they actually measure the "performance enhancement" very accurately. Real world test results counter your statement entirely.

fla-gypsy wrote:



I don't have time for silly debates, have another glass of Kool Aid.

DavidP wrote:



Ahhhhh, yes....the easy way out when you have no basis for a claim....I'm drinking Kool Aid. You made the statement I was just asking for your facts. Ease up Francis!

olddesertrider wrote:

I recommend that everyone using a K&N filter add an Outerwears filter wrap to the K&N.

Outerwears filter wraps

I have no connection to the Outerwears company, just use their products

Outerwears filter wraps were developed many years ago due to the inefficient filtering of K&N filters used in offroad applications in the southwest deserts. Before Outerwears came about womens panty hose was cut and fitted to our K&Ns to stop dirt and sand particle intrusion into the intake tract. K&Ns do add power but suffer deficient filtering because of that.

All of my tow rigs for the last 20+ years use the stock paper filter(no filter wrap needed) and all of my offroad vehicles use oiled foam filters with filter wraps(no more sand damaged engines.)


olddesertrider