I installed the K&N replacement filter 2 days ago and am dissapointed with the fit. Those who have installed this know about the 2 pieces of foam that you must install to the bracket to keep the filter in place. While it seems to make a tight seal when the 2 clips are closed, I just cannot stop worrying that the filter does not make a tight seal and is letting in dirty air. Anyone else with the K&N worry about this?

 

ditto. Fitting it in there was hard at first. It seems like a tight seal tho (putting in hand in the intake hole) I dunno.. i had to force the clips on there pretty tight.. so i think i'm safe.. um i mean we're safe

 

It was tricky to get in but I'm not worried about the foam strips effecting the seal. The fit of the filter in the 'holder' is fine. My concern was getting that whole unit back into the intake. It was hard to hold the filter and the unit together when dropping it in. I used a small piece of duct tape just to help the filter and the unit stay together while I dropped it in. Fitted great then. I've checked the intake and unit a couple of times since to make sure everything was cool and it is. Lot’s of us have been running the K&N for a while now with no problems.

 

I thought I read someone here dyno'd a stock air filter vs. a K&N and got better results from the stock. Does anyone know if this is true?
I have always used K&N on all my vehicles and had nothing but positive results.

Thanks!

 

I believe that would be droidekaus. Of course, that would be comparing 2 new filters at similar times on the dyno. He insists conditions were identical.
Question is: who can afford to buy a new paper filter every week?? Once they start doing their job, the paper filters rapidly lose their effectiveness, whereas K&Ns continue to function well even if they are due for a washing and reoiling!!!
(Yes, I run K&N).

 

What Z'd said...

 

ditto.. and plus it doesn't void any warranties

 

Cheers for the info. Just wanted some clarification before I bought the K&N!

 

I think the foam strips are for older Infiniti's. I didn't use them on my G, and the fit is nice and snug.

 

The foam strips are necessary for the Z, otherwise the filter slides around in the bracket.

 

Im glad I wasnt the only one concerned about the initial fit..seems kinda weak to have the foam strips..but im not complaining about the functionality the filter performs great.

did anyone go to the SEMA show and see the new CAI Hybrid system that K&N came up with for the Z?

It looks like a cross between the stock air box setup and the AEM types. supposedly has a 11 HP gain at the wheels..seems a bit ambitous.

hope its true.

 

I barely got the filter to fit without the foam. How can the filter "slide around"?

 

Max, if you compare the K&N to the stock filter the k&N is a little smaller (less rectangular?). If you do not use the foam strips the filter might slide around inside the bracket. Trust me, you need the foam strips to make it fit correctly.

 

Moroccan_Mole dynoed his car before and after K&N, gained 7hp RWP, I have seen the dyno so did other member, Sands. So I believe in them.

You have to use the foam in our Z, but for G35c, you don't have to. G35 has different design airbox, not a top drop in like ours Z.

 

Where's the foam supposed to go? I installed the filter in the bracket and pushed it down to seat the bracket. The tricky part was trying to keep the k&n inside the bracket because it doesn't fit exactly like the stock one. Once the filter is seated correctly I snapped on the hooks. Am I missing something here? Thanks for any help.

 

Max, install those foam strips ASAP, or unfiltered air might get into your engine. The filter came with directions, see if you can find them.

 

Ok, I'll try to find them. I assume the strips are installed on both sides of the filter to act like a wedge? To make a tighter seal?

 

Max, install the strips to the bracket, not the filter.

 

A simple filter change can't void the warranty. The dealer would have to prove the filter was to blame..

 

Max, here ya go