MPG Before vs. After K&N FIPK installed

[greasefingers]

This myth is busted. Everyone at work was amazed when they helped me co-plot the data (something I did not know how to do). There is zero difference with and without the filter in place. The scatter is from me not being able to hold the throttle down steady for a 60 second duration at the specified rpms. Excel draws a best fit line thru the data (the most important part of this) and it goes thru hundreds of points; all of which you do not see. The two lines fall directly on top of one another! The mass flow rate number is carried out to the hundredth place (for example 9.54 grams/min)

I plan on repeating the test, as one I always question things myself. I hope to find a better method for holding the throttle down and steady. Maybe I

 

[Fro-Runner]

What measuring device did you use to obtain your plot results. Did you connect the optical mouse to your USB port and then lay the mouse in the air filter housing compartment??

 

[greasefingers]

Not exactly

 

[MDT4RNR]

Not exactly

 

[OUTRNNR]

This myth is busted. Everyone at work was amazed when they helped me co-plot the data (something I did not know how to do). There is zero difference with and without the filter in place. The scatter is from me not being able to hold the throttle down steady for a 60 second duration at the specified rpms. Excel draws a best fit line thru the data (the most important part of this) and it goes thru hundreds of points; all of which you do not see. The two lines fall directly on top of one another! The mass flow rate number is carried out to the hundredth place (for example 9.54 grams/min)

I plan on repeating the test, as one I always question things myself. I hope to find a better method for holding the throttle down and steady. Maybe I

 

[charlier180]

Not exactly

 

[BlackFive]

WOT is short hand for wide open throttle.

 

[NCSCOTT]

A couple questions???

I have a couple concerns for lack of a better term.

1. There is a large possiblity of human error involved in the method you used. Granted you admitted it was difficult to maintain a given RPM with your foot.

2. You only removed the filter element. All the stock piping was in place. The carbon element was still in place. It may be the most restictive part of the whole stock intake.

3. You must have done all of the data points with no load on the engine. I would like to know if flow rates are different when the engine is loaded at a given RPM. I would think the butterfly would open more to adjust to the increased fuel demand at load. Thus you may find a point at which the demand for more air is restricted by the shape and design of the intake with measured increases in load. I have no idea how you can test for this. It is beyond my knowledge of the equipment available. I don't know what is out there.

I would guess if you did this test at no load with a FIPK you would get very similiar results to your data given the test conditions. As far as the flow rates are concerned.

I agree with OUTRNNRs view about more efficient power. A strait, smooth pipe will flow more easily than a pipe with a rough or uneven interior finish with multiple bends and curves. Even if they are of equal size diameters. People port and polish there heads for this exact reason to smooth out and provide less restrictive airflow.

The FIPKs are designed to acheive the same result. They are made with a relatively strait and smooth piping. Thus providing less restriction to the airflow than the stock intake. This allows the engine to breath easier.

 

[greasefingers]

I realize that the test method is not the best. I make a living collecting data from chemical reactors. It is the first of many tests that I will run. I am also limited by the MAF being mounted in the OEM snorkel and the fact that I d not a FIPK lying around to swap out.

The ProScan is fine for the money. I have spent hours playing with it. I am sure that there are better ones out there. I looked at the BR3, AutoTap, and the ProScan before buying. The ProScan was $ 125 for my 03 vehicle, so it is OBDII and not CAN supported.

It has four main functions: 1- It can log and record a number of sensors simultaneously. Then the data can be saved as a csv file which Excel can open. 2- it has an oscilloscope function which monitors & plots real time data. The O2 sensor is ideal for this since the output of this sensor in a sine wave. Therefore a voltmeter is useless as the voltage swings from 0 to 1 volt over seconds. But this data cannot be stored using this O-scope function. I have screen-coped the plots to the clipboard for printing however. 3- it can perform dyno charts. I do not trust this part of the functionality yet. I need to learn more about this. The dyno data is stored in a format that Excel cannot open. 4- it can read any stored codes that the ECU has detected as faults. The codes can be erased via the ProScan software.

The software is really easy to use. I found that it is very hard to drive and play with my Laptop at the same time, which is why I did not measure the MAF in a dynamic way. I need a friend to assist me here.

It is fun to watch the O2 sensors. One can see a large sinewave for the upstream sensors and the downstream ones are also a flat line. These two curves together prove that catalyst is not spent and is doing its job.

Here is another chart for your viewing pleasure. This just an engine idle test. Starting a cold engine and monitoring the rpms and coolant temp over time.

 

[NCSCOTT]

The Proscan sounds like a nice tool to have. I am an electronic tech and live by my test equipment. Having the lastest and greatest toys is always fun. I will have to look into getting one even if it is just for the Shits and Grins factor.

NCSCOTT

 

[X6RUNNER]

Thank you all for your efford as well as many valuable inputs and researches. After three weeks of testing the K&N. I've decided to remove it due to the loud suction noise. Afterall, the K&N does not used any more gas than any other filters nor a factor contributed to low MPG. The fact is the ECU may take sometimes to relearn the air/fuel mixture after the batery being disconnected. However, low ambient temperature plus frequently acceleration may be the caused of low MPG.