I have noticed that a lot of you out there have K&N panel air filters. How much difference did it make compared with the stock panel? Also, is there anyone who has had a K&N panel or stock panel and changed to a K&N oval pod? Are the gains worth the extra cost of the pod, or is it worth getting CAI :cool: as well to really notice the difference? :D

do a quick search
this has been argued over so many times before

but i rekon pod

Cant really vote cos I don't know... and I dont really know what gains you would get from a CAI. I have a panel k&N but reckon pod is better, legality is another question better left alone. So I have been absolutely no bloody help to you whatsoever! lol

Pod and cai would be the best over all cause your getting the cold air induction part rather than just a replacement filter which REALLY does bugger all but a good CAI kit will add just that touch more power and of course a pod cai kit is easy to do while a panel cai kit, well that'd be just strange.

Just thought I'd post this from another site I posted to.


A filter swap doesn't really give much of a gain. Definately not something that can be accurately guaged. A filter also isn't a big restriction unless you've done a lot of exhaust mods too. It just happens to be the first thing someone does.

People mainly get a panel filter as it's cheaper than being charged 20-30 bucks per service for a new paper one.

A pod is really only useful for a CAI setup that's been done right. It won't flow any better than a panel but it's useful as it can easily be attached to the end of some pipe that's been relocated to get a constant supply of colder air.

Then there's people who like the noise. Now, some people reckon that a pod is fully sick and flows better than a panel but if it flowed betterm then why does it make a sucking noise? The noise is whistling from air changing direction and shows corners are in the airflow. This all creates cavitation which is not ideal by any means and will only restrict airflow.

Other people say that a pod has a larger surface area but the air still needs to flow through the same MAF or MAS sensor so there goes that theory.

Then there's the point that the quickest way to go from point A to point B is the straightest line. If that's the case, how can it be of benefit to make air twist around to enter a pod?

Anyway, for our Magnas, make sure you get the pod suited to to it. It's oval in shape so have a look for KN-MAF or something like that on their website. It doesn't affect every car but a normal round pod can make a car run rich or lean which will either kill your cat or the engine if your car happens to be out of tune.

Panels are also a simple 5 second swap :cool:

The question was raised about which way to go. I couldn't be bothered carving it up to suit this thread.

Just make sure you adopt some decent CAI setup, not something using dodgy ribbed pipe and feeding into a pod in the engine bay.

A panel is good for a quick slot in replacement. Its cheap, keeps noise down and provides solid gains.

A pod sound increadible, but unless you have good CAI system or some decent cold air ducting and heat sheilding its a waste of time performance wise as they just suck in hot underbonnet air which you can really feel on hot summer days. Not nice.

Im actually picking up a K&N CAI kit on friday and will be installing it over the weekend. Will report my findings. Also will get a dyno before and after.

I've got a pod that sat in the engine bay, i ust say though it doesnt do any good with the heat being sucked in.
Now i have the pod located behind the bumber, low enough to suck in fresh cold air and the gains you get is noticable. With the cold windy winter nights, you can feel the power it delivers.

I suggest you should only use a pod with a cai setup. otherwise stick with the panel.

kev

dont quote me on this, but my mechanic told me that there is no difference between panel and a pod. i was told that a K&N panel filter is far better than a POD. personally i dont know. so this is probably going to get disregarded but thats my 2 cents worth.

IMOA a panel is as good as a normal pod,but cai is better ONLY if your car is to be tuned with an aftermarket ecu/piggy back chip. Or your car is gonna run lean or rich.But the panel deffinately inproved my performance along with a lukey,the engine doesnt rev out,and has a nice power band of mid range torque.But you loose your nice stock off the line grunt.

One thing that is a load of crap, If you use a pod with cold air induction the so called special K&N filter for a magna's air flow sensor is no better than a simple cround one. By the time the air gets into the piping and up to the sensor it will be flowing straight. in fact even sticking one on a short pipe will do the same. Don't waste money and buy the so called special K&N filter if using a lonish pipe.

whats crap? ANY POD FILTER, OVAL OR NORMAL EVEN PANEL FILTERS CAN MAKE YOUR CAR RUN RICH OR LEAN FACT.but im not disputing the fact that the tumbling air effect could be b/s.

thankyou Mr thomas sir.

who votes we never talk about these things again!! hooraylol lol

it should be added to a FAQ section so whenever someone asks a simple "FAQ" is required

incidentally, how often do you guys clean the filters?

i have a k&n it gets cleaned every 30,000 if i follow directions :redface: more frequently if in severe conditions

havent washed and oiled mine yet got to buy a kit.But only done about 9,000ks on it so far.

Sometimes I take it out and give it a bang out but it looks like new still.I have also learnt about many large insects that fly around Australia.:confused:

Tell me about those insects. I bought my car for QLD and the monsters i found in the fillter... you guys have some crazy s**t up there.

My Vote is... I think alot of us are tired of this debate already...

In 18 months, this topic has prolly been taken like 5 times.... Do A Search

Thank you Mr Thomas. As usual, sound advice from Mitsiman, I will not ask anything regarding pods, CAI etc ever again :redface: . ( That's not a promise tho' :D ) Can't wait to be able to actually afford to do all this finally :cool: :) !!!!!

Well i've just fitted my K&N CAI kit I got from RPW (Cheers Dave) and after fiddling around and doing some tests here are my results.

The system definatly delivers more power after about 3500 RPM. Before you could feel the stock induction struggling to let more air through but now it just screams all the way to the red line. The sound is out of this world after 3500 RPM and im very very happy with it. Money well spent. Will post some pics of the install soon.

Cool, keep the inspiration coming :cool: :) :D lol

Will post some pics of the install soon.

Please do.

hey blake, how awsome is the sound of a pod above 3500 !


anyways, would u be able to give me an approximate time and price (pm if ya want), of buying and fitting the K&N CAI kit, cheers,


also are you nervous driving over puddles? or do you have a dry-sock ?


sorry for all the questions lol,


later :cool:

Dave or someone, can you please explain once and for all how the dry sock works? i would think that it would hamper airflow a little, esp when it gets damp. yes, no, maybe?

Let us all know when you get those new kits in, I am definitely interested, esp. the reduced price :) !!! Will the kits include the dry sock, as the road I live on isn't the best :mad: , and does often have puddles which aren't avoidable :rant:!!

for 550-600 or whatever they retail for i personally think is a little high but if dave can get them in for around 450 then I would definatly reccomend them. The dry sock is just a very thin nylon (i think its nylon anyway) based sock which pops over the pod. I seriously doubt it would restrict much airflow as its design is good and due to the large surface area of the pod i don't think that restriction is a problem. If sure it would stop most splashing water from entering the filter but if you go through a puddle your screwed. But you would have to go through a MASSIVE puddle for the water to reach the pod.

I'll be honest I didn't buy it to increase performance, It was for the sound! I bought it to move the pod down behind the bumper so its not constantly sucking in hot under bonnet air like my first pod did in my last magna (which you can really feel on hot days). I was going to get some stainless piping made up but problem is it absorbs heat so it would just heat the air before it hits the TB which makes the who CAI pointless. I also like the fact that its black and is very suttle so the boys in blue can't notice it easy.

lol Fitment proved to be a pain but nothing major really just took time. As i don't have car hoist or anything i spent most of the morning under the car marking and removing panels etc which i had to cut. I probobly spent about 5 hours doing the install with a mate as we both took the time to do it right and have a bit of fun during the process.

Thanks again to Dave from RPW for supplying the kit, it sounds UNREAL after 3500 RPM and im very very happy with it.