Air Box Mod vs. K&N intake system

[Ken]

Is is worth spending the +/- 250.00 for the K&N or can I expect nearly the same performance gain with the Air Box Mod. Planning on one of the 2 with a Hypertech programmer. If driven "normally" how much if any increase in MPG could be expected given either one of those intake mods and the Hypertech?



On a side note; is anyone else bothered with the black background and Yellow Font on the sight? I can hardly read the post on because my eyes bug out after a few minutes...

[ace]

I would do exhaust before the FIPK. The exhaust makes a larger difference than the FIPK or the air box mod. I would still do both but exhaust first. I listened to people on this site and they recommended exhaust too and it was worth it.

[F9K9]

Is is worth spending the +/- 250.00 for the K&N or can I expect nearly the same performance gain with the Air Box Mod.

I got my FIPK for just over $200 delivered but, now I would do the air box mod with a new K&N filter.

If driven "normally" how much if any increase in MPG could be expected given either one of those intake mods and the Hypertech?

I would suspect very little. I once got 20 mph on a trip by driving like a little old blue haired lady and doing the speed limit but, once was all I could stand!

On a side note; is anyone else bothered with the black background and Yellow Font on the sight?

No, I use foxfire with the white lettering on black background.

[HenryJ]

Is is worth spending the +/- 250.00 for the K&N

No

... can I expect nearly the same performance gain with the Air Box Mod.

Yes

...If driven "normally" how much if any increase in MPG could be expected given either one of those intake mods and the Hypertech?

None.

[bwenny247]

the reasoning i don't think you're going to see a big MPG increase is this (and someone correct me if i'm wrong):

1. FIPK pulls in more air
2. MAF sensor does its job and registers the more air and sends a signal to your computer to add more fuel to the mixture for the burn cycle. more air and more fuel = more power.

yes you get more air into the engine and more power out of it. but you still end up burning the same air/fuel ratio.

[killian96ss]

The K&N FIPK will flow more air due to less restriction and a smoother inside flow path, but the gains over the modified stock air box with a drop in K&N filter are very small.

If I had to guess I would say that the FIPK gains maybe 2-4 hp over the modded box.

Not really worth the extra $200 if you ask me.

bwenny's reasoning on more air = more fuel burned makes sense and it is also worth mentioning that if you tune for more power using higher octane (93) with the HPPIII it is possible that you can gain a few mpg (1-2) over stock, but the added cost of the premium fuel kind of puts you back in the same range anyway.

If you tune for low octane (87), have a good intake system with a K&N filter, a low restriction exhaust, and drive very conservative you should be able to get a little bit better gas mileage than stock.

Just don't expect miracles.

Steve

[2kwik4u]

I've been tracking mileage like a hawk recently while debating on going to a fullsize or not.

I averaged 14.8mpg over 5 tanks driving around town. Thats with the FIPK installed, and no other mods.

I added an electric fan, transmission cooler and low temp thermostat. I've averaged the mpg's over the last 4 tanks which has included at least one trip to the lake (Three trips were ~24 miles round trip, the other ~120 miles round trip) per tank. I've averaged 15.6mpg Not quite one full mpg from just removing the stock clutch fan. I don't think the thermostat or cooler contributed much, but have no real world data to prove it.

MSD 6A is going back on tonight, and I'll be towing a small pop-up camper to St Louis for the weekend. I'll be sure to report back how the mileage is for the trip. Should have some highway towing, around town driving, and maybe even a pass down the 1/4 mile strip.

[2kwik4u]

Last tank got 15.99mpg. Mostly around town driving. One trip to the lake at 24 miles round trip, and one short 20 mile drive on the highway at ~55mph cruise speed. The other 200 miles were all city/stop light driving.

It's getting closer to the 18mpg goal.....Not sure if I'll ever get there though.

[BobbleSmitty]

I've been getting a consistent 18 to 18.5 mpg lately with all highway driving (cruise at 62 for 75% and 67 for 25% of the time). I have the body lift with 30x9.5" tires, modded air box with K&N filter, and catback dual exhaust.

[bwenny247]

i get between 15-17 daily driving. no trips farther than 20 miles, most trips under 10 miles. some city, some highway.

'05 silverado crew cab Z71, 5.3L completely stock, 4.10 gears, light foot