So I Wrote to K&N
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Standard replies are common in the industry. You have understand they may only have 1-3 people answering thousands of e mails a week.
You have to understand they are getting not only request for the HHR SS but for many other applications as well as technical questions about products for anything from a chain saw to a earthmover.
when a new car hits the market such as the new Camaro I get calls as soon as the first one hits the streets. If it is not using some old engine or shared parts it always take a year or so to get the performance part.
As for the filters they do work well but in a stock intake the only real advantage is you can clean it out and after 50,000 miles.
If you want real performance you need to buy the full filter chager intake system. This does make a differance in most vehicles since they are tuned to be quite and that makes them restrictive. The MFG's have to meet drive by sound regs KNN does not.
My cold air induction on my Sonoma increased my power 9 HP and 1 MPG. I did not really expect much but it was enought to feel and the milage did increase to 20 MPG around town. Now it also sounds like a old Quadrajet carb vs Fuel injected though.
The one on my GTP has done the same and their claim of 15 MPG with the intake system is realistic.
The power increase is more sue to the less restrictive intake and filter vs just the filter alone. Increases will vary with what you are dirving and how restrictive the present system already is.
As for the Canned reply get over it if your going to send more to other companies as it will not be your last.
We are just now start live chat at my company and if it works it may lead to other using this same effort. It is a little more personel but it takes more people and it raises cost. It has been going well so I expect it to catch on as other are trying it too.
If you want a real responce for KNN call them. The tech line can tell you that they are working on one and it will take some time.
Please not if you asked they do note the request and it could move it up in the new product cycle.
some times delays may be due to themnot having a specific car available. If your local they may even ask if you would lend you vehicle to prototype the system and you would get the first one free.
I have had may friends who have had this happen with other compnaies.
Remember GM does little or nothing to help these companies and they have top find the vehicles as soon as they come out. They are not going to buy one.
You have to understand they are getting not only request for the HHR SS but for many other applications as well as technical questions about products for anything from a chain saw to a earthmover.
when a new car hits the market such as the new Camaro I get calls as soon as the first one hits the streets. If it is not using some old engine or shared parts it always take a year or so to get the performance part.
As for the filters they do work well but in a stock intake the only real advantage is you can clean it out and after 50,000 miles.
If you want real performance you need to buy the full filter chager intake system. This does make a differance in most vehicles since they are tuned to be quite and that makes them restrictive. The MFG's have to meet drive by sound regs KNN does not.
My cold air induction on my Sonoma increased my power 9 HP and 1 MPG. I did not really expect much but it was enought to feel and the milage did increase to 20 MPG around town. Now it also sounds like a old Quadrajet carb vs Fuel injected though.
The one on my GTP has done the same and their claim of 15 MPG with the intake system is realistic.
The power increase is more sue to the less restrictive intake and filter vs just the filter alone. Increases will vary with what you are dirving and how restrictive the present system already is.
As for the Canned reply get over it if your going to send more to other companies as it will not be your last.
We are just now start live chat at my company and if it works it may lead to other using this same effort. It is a little more personel but it takes more people and it raises cost. It has been going well so I expect it to catch on as other are trying it too.
If you want a real responce for KNN call them. The tech line can tell you that they are working on one and it will take some time.
Please not if you asked they do note the request and it could move it up in the new product cycle.
some times delays may be due to themnot having a specific car available. If your local they may even ask if you would lend you vehicle to prototype the system and you would get the first one free.
I have had may friends who have had this happen with other compnaies.
Remember GM does little or nothing to help these companies and they have top find the vehicles as soon as they come out. They are not going to buy one.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-16-2008
Posts: 662
From: Cleveland, Ohio
I wouldn't lose a moments sleep about using the OEM filter. It's plenty big enough to allow good air flow. GM believes strongly that oiled cotton filters deposit gunk on the MAF sensor, and will deny warranty coverage on a whole hose of ills, including automatic transmission problems, if they find a KN filter on your car.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-14-2006
Posts: 1,186
From: So. Cal
i too dropped the K&N like a hot potato.
I have a 98 Z28 and found that although it was freer flowing it was not filtering properly. I was finding too much gunk caught up in the MAF. Not a good thing. I went back to stock.
What's the point of a K&N if you don't reprogram the ECU? If the K&N gives ya any gains at all, the ECU just dumbs the motor back to stock HP levels anyway, no?
I have a 98 Z28 and found that although it was freer flowing it was not filtering properly. I was finding too much gunk caught up in the MAF. Not a good thing. I went back to stock.
What's the point of a K&N if you don't reprogram the ECU? If the K&N gives ya any gains at all, the ECU just dumbs the motor back to stock HP levels anyway, no?
