K&N filter in RX-8
 

I've used K&N filters in several automatic transmission cars I've had in the past. One thing I did notice was throttle response had improved. I don't know how much the K&N increased HP or mileage, never had the cars on the dyno or tracked the miles.

What will the K&N filter do for the Rx-8? Better throttle repsonsem, increase HP, increase mileage?

Thanks!

The K&N filter in my RX8 gave me a slight increase in gas mileage, throttle response felt slightly better (but that could be a placebo effect). At best the K&N filter gives like 1-2HP in this application at best. In my FD it gave a healthier effect, of course that was combined with the RB Inlet duct. Honestly it can't hurt, because they pay for themselves. **I'm talking about the drop in replacement filter size--NOT the TYPHOON INTAKE**

I just ordered one and it should be here tomorrow, I figured $47 for a K&N or $30 something for a paper replacement, I would go with the K&N

do you have the part number for the kn filter

It's 33-2184

Go Green Instead. Better fit and Quality. Same HP increase

are you sure its not 33-2284?

SHAG1 so you like the Green filters. I would try one but I have the K&N cleaner and oil still left over. Does the green filters require a cleaner and oil. I wonder if I could use the K&N stuff on the green filters.

Well the K&N oil is red /orange though--so it would look pretty ugly.

I've read that the oil from the KJ&N can cause the MAF sensor to become fouled.....

Oops! 33-2284! My keyboard must be rigged...

Nubo, yes the oil from the K&N can get on the MAF and mess with it's signal after some time of the filter being in there, but all you need to do is spray the wires inside the intake with some electronic cleaner or non-clorinated brake cleaner and the alcohol in either one of those evaperates and those wires become shiney again. I do it once every couple of months to keep everything clean, only takes a couple minutes to do. Also, these wires can get dirty with a paper filter because not all dirt is caught by the filter.

That's another reason I like the Green filter over the K&N- there's far less oil in the cotton gauze and it won't get on your MAF & IAT sensors. As for filtering- the Mazda OEM filter is going to block more dirt than any high-flow drop-in (K&N or Green) - that's the price you pay for improved performance.

I agree with you though - it's not a big deal to clean off your MAF every month or so.

Is it worth it to get a green or k&n filter even if you plan on not doing anything else to your intake?

Had np probs with K&N
 

Works greta- no issues, other than-it's a tad noisy.

I was wondering about this - don't the K&N's come pre-oiled, in addition to needing to be oiled again after cleaning? And if so, is there a need to try to reduce how much is in the filter before dropping it in? Or do you just check the sensor wires regularly to clean any oil deposited there, and not oil the filter when its cleaned?

Sure- you'll see slightly better fuel economy and slightly more power from a better breathing intake, and you'll likely have the same filter for the lifetime of the car. Both K&N and Green are cleanable and re-usable over and over... and since the Mazda OEM is a slightly expensive unit (~$30) compared to most cheap OEM paper filters, the aftermarket ones pay for themselves after a short time.

Yes- both K&N and Green are pre-oiled from the factory... and I have seen K&N's come slightly over-oiled. I'm not sure there's much you can do besides leave them out of the plastic bag they ship in on some newspaper for a few days. The bigger chance of over-oiling is from the owner re-oiling it after you clean it- a little goes a long way, and it's importanty to spray the stuff carefully without overlapping (and you have to re-oil the filter when you clean it, as the cleaner chemicals and water remove the oil and dirt during the process). I had a custom K&N intake kit on my Miata for about 5 years so I did this process many times... but this is my first Green filter so I don't know what their cleaner/re-oiling kits are like yet.

noise was mentioned - how much louder is the the engine noise; i do really love the stock zing and am not trying to make it louder

Not much louder at all. I've done a few things to my airbox to make it louder, but any drop isn't going change the character much. The K&N Typhoon intake on the other hand is extremely loud... nothing like the drop-in panel filter that I'm talking about.

What are these MAF & IAT sensors and where are they located? It they become clogged with oil how will it affect engine perfomance?

They're both part of the MAF assembly in the pictures below. They won't get clogged so much as just coated and dirty. Reduced fuel economy and performance are possible... but not sure how much it would take to make it noticeable. My old Miata's MAF would get really oily and dirty but I never noticed any problems while driving it.