Who would be interested in a group buy on K&N kits?

[ScottAW]

After seeing and hearing the performance gains of Vandert's K&N upgrade, it really sparked my interest. However, the high price of nearly $300 seemed a bit much to swallow, so I'm curious if we could organize a group buy and see how much we could reduce the price by.

So, I'm curious - who here would be interested in a group buy? I'd think we could get the price closer to $200 with enough folks and order directly from K&N distribution rather than through a reseller who adds another profit margin. I've already sent an e-mail inquiry to K&N, hopefully I'll hear something back.

For reference, here's the link to Vandert's thread in the Performance forum.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8659

 

[EdL04Sport]

I'd be interested if it was closer to $200.

 

[sharp4runr]

Yup, same here. Its pretty price for a tube and intake element as it stands now.

 

[Koz]

What exactly were the gains besides noise (which is cool)? I must have missed it.

Koz

 

[Bobby]

I've followed that thread and I seriously doubt he got 14hp (K&N's claim) from an air filter. It will improve throttle response but at a cost of letting in more particulates (dust) into the engine. You will also hear some more noise from it (good or bad).

It would probably work better with an exhaust and software to handle the upgrade but alone, I don't think the gains are worth the future costs.

If you're leasing the truck, sure, get one. I'm keeping mine for a few hundred thousand miles so I'll stick to the stock filter.

 

[Pribilof]

There is no way I'm paying even $200 for a crappy K&N filter and a PLASTIC intake tube. Injen makes applications for Tacomas and 4Runners with the 3.4L, made out of aluminum, with a better filter than the K&N for less than $200.

See how much better that looks on the 3.4L Tacoma?

We should pressure them to make an application for the 4.0 and the 4.7 4Runners.

 

[Bobby]

That intake might be pretty but it isn't very well designed. It's drawing hot air from the engine bay. K&N at least has a heat sheild and pulls air from the hole in the fender well.

 

[Pribilof]

Do you see a hole in that engine bay? I sure as hell don't. They'd probably route it through the same hole as K&N if they made one for our trucks.

 

[Bobby]

Actually, the stock air box gets air from the inside fender well. The K&N heat shield seals the area around the hole so air is drawn from it. If you look in your engine bay, you'll see a tube under the air box that goes to the side fender.

I'm not defending K&N as I personally would never put any of their products on any of my vehicles. I'm just saying that K&N does a better job than Injen.

 

[Koz]

Also a plastic tube is better then metal because it will not absorb as much heat from the engine compartment. It also is corrosion proof, less weight and doesn't need to be polished.

Koz

 

[schneidermj]

Save your money fellas. A cheaper option would be to get some rain gutter tubing, duc tape, and cheese cloth from Lowes. It should work and filter just as good as the K&N.

The only thing you'll get out of this mod is quicker throttle response time and one dirty engine. Been there, done that...

 

[centex]

I've been running K&N in my cars for several years. As far as any noticable feel none. They claim they trap more dirt than other filters. The avalanche has 60K and still looks clean with one cleaning about 30K ago. So makes you wonder.

Had one in the vette but took it out in favor of a Donaldson Blackwing. Hard to say on performance difference since at the time put on a Corsa Indy exhaust, now that made a big difference with the X pipe. ????? to say that a filter make that much difference in everyday driving, if pushing to upper RPM might see more.

If a good GP deal came along on a performance filter I'd go ahead and put one in.

 

[Koz]

This company probably makes the best air filters in the world, but very expensive and I don

 

[Pribilof]

This company probably makes the best air filters in the world,
Koz

Based on?

 

[Koz]

I should have said "Performance Filters". These are the filters of choice by most F1 racing programs. I have seen dyno sheets comparing them to the other leading manufactures showing more gains. You can actually see the material quality difference. Most of the dirt bypassing complaints about K&N is due to the actual fit of the filter. I've seen K&N filters that have to be lubed to installed and some that were flapping around. BMC filters always fit perfect.

Koz

 

[4RunningGuy]

There is no way I'm paying even $200 for a crappy K&N filter and a PLASTIC intake tube. Injen makes applications for Tacomas and 4Runners with the 3.4L, made out of aluminum, with a better filter than the K&N for less than $200.

Just to let you know, Injen uses K&N filter elements.

 

[EDGE]

If you're leasing the truck, sure, get one. I'm keeping mine for a few hundred thousand miles so I'll stick to the stock filter.

You live in Northern NJ and your gonna keep the truck for that many miles, ewww j/k odd how many people I know in Jersey who trade cars in with such low mileage cause the neighbors or friends got a new car:

 

[EDGE]

Just to let you know, Injen uses K&N filter elements.

BUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNN:bash:

 

[Bobby]

Depends on whether I like the car or not. So far, I really like the 4runner almost as much as my M3. I've had cars as little as a year (less when bought used) and as long as 8 (and going with the M3). I traded in a Maxima that was about 2 yrs old for the M3 when I moved out of NYC.

 

[EDGE]

Depends on whether I like the car or not. So far, I really like the 4runner almost as much as my M3. I've had cars as little as a year (less when bought used) and as long as 8 (and going with the M3). I traded in a Maxima that was about 2 yrs old for the M3 when I moved out of NYC.

Same here, quality automobiles tend to stay like new throughout the years, I've seen older LC with 100-150k on them that are in better condition then year old Explorers and Expeditions, I bet the same will be true for the 4Runner:

Has your M3 had any engine work/recalls