K&N Air Filter now available for Mazda 3 SkyActiv

[beyond]

Not sure if it belongs in the "performance" section, but just wanted to let all the SkyActiv drivers know that K&N finally released their air filters for the 2.0 SkyActiv engine!

http://www.knfilters.ca/search/product.aspx?Prod=33-2480

I'll be going to Canadian Tire to look for this tmr =)

Cheers!

[Hyperion]

Not sure if it belongs in the "performance" section, but just wanted to let all the SkyActiv drivers know that K&N finally released their air filters for the 2.0 SkyActiv engine!

http://www.knfilters.ca/search/product.aspx?Prod=33-2480

I'll be going to Canadian Tire to look for this tmr =)

Cheers!

I work at Canadian Tire, we only carry FRAM and Motormaster. Probably could order in K&N tho, but I doubt it.

[r4mi5awi]

K&n has limited stock. Other forums have been complaining to k&n for awhile now.

Always been interested but the endless debate if these filters actually increase performance or are just environmentally friendly by not having to replace the OEM filters on a regular basis have kept me from purchasing.

[silverstarmazda]

K&N has also been known for its less superior filtering qualities too. plus the maintenance requires you to spend more on theyre cleaning/recharging kit and its a a bit bother some to cleaner and re-oil. the concept is, the more dirt thats in the filter. the better the filtering quality.

canadian tire has a very few in stock (locations may vary) and they are usually out of the proper size. i have a K&N filter with a hydroshield. so its like have a filter, before the filter. i clean it once a year now.

[standsideways]

I work at Canadian Tire, we only carry FRAM and Motormaster. Probably could order in K&N tho, but I doubt it.

Strange,
My local cantire stores have LOTS of k&n filters in stock.

[silverstarmazda]

Strange,
My local cantire stores have LOTS of k&n filters in stock.

same, they lock them up in the cage

[aris]

I work at Canadian Tire, we only carry FRAM and Motormaster. Probably could order in K&N tho, but I doubt it.
My candian has them instock

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af102/aristeidis/null_zpsbc6b4952.png

[beyond]

I hit up my local CT today and Hyperion's right...there's no K&N air filters...only FRAM and MotoMaster. Maybe need to PM some sponsors to see if they can do a special order or something. Does CT do special orders?

Not sure if there's any performance gains but I'm hoping it would somehow increase throttle response a little? And like you guys said...it's easier to clean than just keep buying new filters.

[r4mi5awi]

You can always order from the k&n website and get rid of the middle man.

[Wes08M3]

K&n has limited stock. Other forums have been complaining to k&n for awhile now.

Always been interested but the endless debate if these filters actually increase performance or are just environmentally friendly by not having to replace the OEM filters on a regular basis have kept me from purchasing.

ZERO performance gains from a filter alone, hell a full intake barely gives a noticable gain. It's just going to save you money in the long run, that's it really. Put one in the '07 2.0L and have had it in for 220,000km and no issues with it at all.


I hit up my local CT today and Hyperion's right...there's no K&N air filters...only FRAM and MotoMaster. Maybe need to PM some sponsors to see if they can do a special order or something. Does CT do special orders?

Not sure if there's any performance gains but I'm hoping it would somehow increase throttle response a little? And like you guys said...it's easier to clean than just keep buying new filters.

Did you try any other Canadian Tire's? Many of them do have K&N filters in stock... It's really unlikely you'll notice better throttle response either, I didn't when I put it in.

[sarujo]

I got my K&N from Joe at MoT for a great price. Why not just hit up an affiliate instead of running around to crappy tire?

[Woodman316]

[QUOTE=Wes08M3;1084999]ZERO performance gains from a filter alone, hell a full intake barely gives a noticable gain. It's just going to save you money in the long run, that's it really. Put one in the '07 2.0L and have had it in for 220,000km and no issues with it at all.



I Definetly note a performance increase with a drop in K&N filter.

[Wes08M3]

I Definetly note a performance increase with a drop in K&N filter.

Can you prove this or are you just speculating?

People tend to just drive their car harder once they think they've added something that will improve performance.

Edit: your sig also says you have a K&N sri. So?

[Judoka]

soime of you guys will probably hate me but but...
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

[zzz3]

If you dont want to shell out for OEM, get napa gold (wix) and call it a day. I believe it's even more economical than motomaster and fram (which is garbage).

And as already stated, drop in 'performance' filters like k&n are a waste of money. But hey it's another upgrade you can ad to your list of mods beside plasti-dipped badges and led lights in your signature.

[proDJtege]

I honestly just like dropping in the K&N filter because it
1) gives me another excuse to dive into the engine bay and clean stuff
2) stops me from replacing an OEM filter ever XX# months

Good to see yet another option to the Skyactive users

[silverstarmazda]

I honestly just like dropping in the K&N filter because it
1) gives me another excuse to dive into the engine bay and clean stuff
2) stops me from replacing an OEM filter ever XX# months

Good to see yet another option to the Skyactive users

also brag about having a K&N that gives you power gains because its of air free flow?? :bana my intake came with a K&N which is convenient. since a lot of intakes come with crap no name cone filters.

only thing i dont like about the K&N filter is that it needs oil

[Wes08M3]

soime of you guys will probably hate me but but...
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

Good find! I was looking for that article but couldn't remember what forum it was from. It quantitatively proves that K&N filters are USELESS except that they will save you money in the long run.


K&N has also been known for its less superior filtering qualities too. plus the maintenance requires you to spend more on theyre cleaning/recharging kit and its a a bit bother some to cleaner and re-oil. the concept is, the more dirt thats in the filter. the better the filtering quality.

canadian tire has a very few in stock (locations may vary) and they are usually out of the proper size. i have a K&N filter with a hydroshield. so its like have a filter, before the filter. i clean it once a year now.

This is completely untrue. See the dust loading curves near the bottom of the article.

[silverstarmazda]

This is completely untrue. See the dust loading curves near the bottom of the article.

thats what i thought too. more dirt will eventually work its way through the filter if left unchecked as its cotton element is very porous. another reason why i have a prefilter on mine (not sure if it help but hell, keeps it relatively dry) and clean/recharge it once a year. whatever K&N tries to market to people, there will be cash flowing in.

i actually want to switch over to the aem dryflow. the site evens hows that K&N isnt a very good filter over all...

[Wes08M3]

Yeah they're actually very bad filters overall.

I'm curious about the dry flow types like the AEM or Corksport. If they use a cotton element as well, my guess is that their filtering capabilities are also very poor. But that's just a guess, I don't know what they're made of and the only way to know how well they actually filter is to test it.

[silverstarmazda]

Yeah they're actually very bad filters overall.

I'm curious about the dry flow types like the AEM or Corksport. If they use a cotton element as well, my guess is that their filtering capabilities are also very poor. But that's just a guess, I don't know what they're made of and the only way to know how well they actually filter is to test it.

well AEM is a subdivision of K&N or something. so they might be the same type of filter over all. but the cotton element might be a denser kind since they dont need to be oiled. i think K&N's cotton fiber elements swells when they soak up the oil, and im guessing you have to clean/recharge them to keep the element from shriveling and becoming too porous. as we seen, flow restriction has a DIRECT impact to filtration. constant servicing can cause the cotton to shrink over time, leaving gaps where the mesh screen is fused to the rubber edges. which is why i have limited my filter service to once a year. that 100 million km filter life is bs if you use it the way they intend to.

most of these race teams that sponsor K&N products and similar usually strip down the engine and rebuild them with new bearings and etc. so they dont have to worry about filtration abilities at the end of the day. the only GOOD aftermarket cone filter i would use would the apexi power filter. but since its pretty expensive and its only a one time use...ill stick to the washable brands.

[Wes08M3]

Yeah it's a different story when you have an intake I guess. You have to choose some sort of cone filter.

But since this was a thread about drop in filters, it seems pretty obvious that they're just not worth buying. Especially when you're actually decreasing air filtration and get no real performance gain. Best to just stick to the OEM filter if you don't care about spending the money.

I chose to buy a K&N filter years ago because I knew we'd be putting a lot of km's on the car and figured it would save some money in the long run, and it did. But it doesn't seem worth it anymore and that's why I've never bought one for any of my cars since.

It's just good for people to know that these filters are actually crap and there's real proof behind it. Rather than just going out and buying one because K&N's strong marketing campaign persuaded you to do so.

[standsideways]

I wonder if the sky filter is maybe the same as others..i know my oem speed air filter works in a regular 3.

Anyone have a pic?

[Johns 08 3 GT]

The Skyactiv filter is a different shape.

[standsideways]

Ahh ok

[silverstarmazda]

if you want good filtration, stick to a good (oem) replaceable paper filter.

i know, i sound like a hypocrite since i have a a K&N myself. but im looking a better re-usable filter lol

[beyond]

Damn
I was hoping that it would have some type of 'gain'...

Just was wondering though, are any of those 'articles' biased in any way? Is there any data that shows the opposite? I mean, some type of unbiased opinion...I don't wanna hear any type of marketing BS that the manufacturer gives you...how about some real life experience?

Is there anybody whom have bought K&N drop-in filter and actually noticed any improvement? How about the audio note? :P

This is making me rethink purchasing it...I PM'd one of the sponsors here and they said it would cost close to $100 to special order it. In this case, I might as well just order it myself lol...hearing that it makes no difference at all in terms of performance, I'm having second thoughts shelling out cash for something like this.

[Wes08M3]

Damn
I was hoping that it would have some type of 'gain'...

Just was wondering though, are any of those 'articles' biased in any way? Is there any data that shows the opposite? I mean, some type of unbiased opinion...I don't wanna hear any type of marketing BS that the manufacturer gives you...how about some real life experience?

Is there anybody whom have bought K&N drop-in filter and actually noticed any improvement? How about the audio note? :P

This is making me rethink purchasing it...I PM'd one of the sponsors here and they said it would cost close to $100 to special order it. In this case, I might as well just order it myself lol...hearing that it makes no difference at all in terms of performance, I'm having second thoughts shelling out cash for something like this.

This, as posted earlier, is an unbiased (as far as I can tell) comparison of many different filter brands.
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

This test actually followed proper ISO standard testing procedures and quantitatively proves that K&N filters are basically crap. Sure, the data could have been adjusted, but what do the auto enthusiasts that ran the tests have to gain from that? If the K&N filter proved to be better, it would be actual proof that they are worth purchasing. But the data shows that OEM is the best and unless the people who conducted the test have any special relation to an OEM manufacturer, they aren't gaining anything here. So I'm inclined to believe the test results, as its likely the most thorough and proper published results you're likely to find.