What are the pros & cons of either approach? It would seem the K&N is easy, inexpensive, and yields about 80% of what the bigger more expensive replacements do.
Any reports on mileage/power improvements?

 

I do not like the K & N filters, I found that the cotton degrades over time from washing and everyday use. it is very easy to damage the drop in K & N filter when washing. The K&N filter oil is not very sticky compaired to other brands. But if you use any other brand oil you void the warranty. Check out the Amsoil filter. I have had great results with mine and there oil is good and sticky.

 

No bashing here, just the facts. When I first discoverd what's now know as the BHAF in a catalog in my local NAPA store back in 01, it was because I was concerned with the possibility of oil being pulled out of the oiled type filters and degrading the effeciency of the intercooler and the fact that many stock airfilter housing do not seal well.

I've pulled the lid on many, many stock air filter housing to find dust on the clean side of the filter housing, sometimes a lot.

With the BHAF securley clamped to the intake hose (with a stiffiner in place), there is almost no way for dust to make it into the intake system.

Good luck, RJR

 

The BHAF is also cheaper then the K&N drop in Thats what I had and then switched to the BHAF

 

Any of the oiled filters have the *potential* to get oil onto the turbo compressor fins and into the intercooler. They can be over oiled, under oiled, washed too much... I run K&N in all of my quads and dirt bike, but I won't put any oiled filter it in front of my turbo.

 

When I use to run my K&N cone filter on every oil change when took the hose off the turbo to access the oil filter I would see an oily substance on the compressor fins. Decided that couldn't be good put a BHAF on no more oily substance, plus where I live there's more than four glaciers surrounding town during the summer months when its dry (usually never!) there's a light layer of fine very gritty like 100 grit on my windshield after sitting for 8 hours, kinda like volcanic ash CAN'T BE GOOD!!! So that's when I switched

ps K&N said oil it extra for extra dusty environments, hmm

 

save some $$$ get the no maintanence bhaf. no brainer.

 

the K&N type cotton filter that came in the banks system on my truck SUCKS as does the stock airbox. even when pretty clean the vacuum guage that indicates how efficient the air cleaner is is always near the red line...and I'm only running 32 psi. That and my box lid is cracked. Either go with the BHAF or get a Scotty2. I'm ordering a Scotty 2/UNI next paycheck. if you want to get a drop in replacement filter look at amsoil or UNI. A lot of guys on this site run amsoils and I know pretty much all the desert/sand racing guys run UNI's.

 

I ditched my stock air box with the K&N in favor of the BHAF.

 

I don't believe the BHAF has the airflow for MEGA horsepower runs. I've heard a howling/growling/wah-wah noise at high boost towing heavy uphill. Several separate members here and at TDR have mentioned the noise is the air filter trying to turn inside out... I run my BHAF daily with no issues and go with no filter when I'm on a dyno. Just my opinion, but I like the filtering, cost efficiency and ease of use with the BHAF

 

you also don't have to worry about unfiltered air sneaking around the filter as the stock airbox is sometimes known to do!

 

I've gone from the stock box, drop in K&N, the BHAF and finally the Scotty II. Spend the extra bucks and get the Scotty. There is no comparison at all!!!

Drill the hole and let the Scotty II suck. EGT's go down, boost spools up faster, mileage goes up and it sounds so sweet!!!