Car feeling slugish after k&n filter install

grimesweb · 03-24-2021, 07:26 PM

2019 SS

Hi everyone. I know this may sound weird but my car just seems sluggish after installed a k&n filter in the stock air box a couple of days ago. It feels my car isn't revving as fast as it did before replacing (not as good of throttle response even if reving in neutral (6sp manual), and kind of..choppy...

Side notes - I keep my car in sport mode 24/7.

Always use 93 octane.

Am I missing something? Or should I go back to stock? I do love the sound of the k&n in there but not if it's going to make my car feel sluggish. Hmm.

Trak-Toy · 03-24-2021, 09:18 PM

I would put the the stock one back in and see if it improves.. I’m betting it does. I’ve seen this before with an aftermarket high flow filter messing with the MAF sensor

delthawk5 · 03-24-2021, 09:20 PM

MAF probably needs to recalibrate, just leave it alone for a few days.

Yang N’ Bang · 03-24-2021, 09:55 PM

MAF probably needs to get used to it. If youre really paranoid, throw the stock filter back in, if it keeps doing it after a day with the paper filter back in some oil from the drop in k&n might have gotten on it. While it’s not a common problem, k&n filters have been known to seep oil when theyre right out of the box, and the MAF sensor on these cars are more sensitive than my psycho ex...

willzilla · 03-24-2021, 10:24 PM

May want to unhook battery for 15 min or so, hook it back up, and then start it back up, idle for a bit until warmed up some, then do some normal driving and such, let car relearn and what not.

grimesweb · 03-25-2021, 07:31 AM

Thanks for the replies all. I figured it was either a re-learn process or MAF got oil on it. I can say that the k&n filter when I took it out of the box had my hand covered in oil. Maybe they over oiled it from the factory? I do have MAF cleaner, maybe i'll clean that bad boy as well and stick with the k&n and see if it improves. May also unhook the battery for a bit after I clean it for a "fresh" start.

cmfhsu · 03-25-2021, 07:40 AM

I'm not a big fan of K&N products, drop in or otherwise. I know it's technically more eco-friendly, but I'd rather use OE paper filters or a dry cone filter any day.

On another note, you got a different sound from a drop-in panel filter? That's a new one for me.

willzilla · 03-25-2021, 11:02 AM

I put in a drop in green air filter, no issues from that and it seemed recommended in a number of places.

Mark R · 03-25-2021, 11:49 AM

I used to be a fan of K&N filters, but after seeing this years ago, I'll never use one again. They are garbage. Put the stock one back in.

http://www.billswebspace.com/AirFilterTest.htm

Seniorrs · 03-25-2021, 12:10 PM

Will be replacing factory filter with factory filter when time comes. Thanks

grimesweb · 03-25-2021, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark R

I used to be a fan of K&N filters, but after seeing this years ago, I'll never use one again. They are garbage. Put the stock one back in.

http://www.billswebspace.com/AirFilterTest.htm

Wow, thanks for that! I'll lean toward putting the stock one back in for now. Thank you!

GearheadSS · 03-25-2021, 01:38 PM

Paper filter is always best. Won't ruin your MAF and it has been proven that K&N doesn't get you any actual gains.

grimesweb · 03-25-2021, 01:39 PM

Should I be worried now that my MAF is soaked with oil? When I took it out of the box, I can honestly say I had TONS of oil on my hands when I touched it.

Mark R · 03-25-2021, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimesweb

Should I be worried now that my MAF is soaked with oil? When I took it out of the box, I can honestly say I had TONS of oil on my hands when I touched it.

That may be your issue. You can pull it and clean it with MAF cleaner from an auto parts store.

03-24-2021, 07:26 PM	#1
grimesweb Drives: 2019 Camaro SS 1SS Vert Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York Posts: 40	Car feeling slugish after k&n filter install 2019 SS Hi everyone. I know this may sound weird but my car just seems sluggish after installed a k&n filter in the stock air box a couple of days ago. It feels my car isn't revving as fast as it did before replacing (not as good of throttle response even if reving in neutral (6sp manual), and kind of..choppy... Side notes - I keep my car in sport mode 24/7. Always use 93 octane. Am I missing something? Or should I go back to stock? I do love the sound of the k&n in there but not if it's going to make my car feel sluggish. Hmm.

03-24-2021, 09:20 PM	#3
delthawk5 Drives: 2019 2SS Crush Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 163	MAF probably needs to recalibrate, just leave it alone for a few days. __________________ 2019 2SS Crush Orange - NPP - 2016 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe \| 2013 Genesis 3.8 R-Spec \| 2012 Scion FR-S

03-24-2021, 10:24 PM	#5
willzilla D3RPZILLA Drives: 2021 Camaro ZL1 a10 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 642 View My Garage	May want to unhook battery for 15 min or so, hook it back up, and then start it back up, idle for a bit until warmed up some, then do some normal driving and such, let car relearn and what not. __________________ 2021 Camaro ZL1 Satin Steel w/a10/PDR/CF/Red Belts/Navigation Website: z1lla.com \| YouTube: youtube.d3rpzilla.com YouTube Playlists: Performance Mods \| Interior & Exterior Mods \| Other Mods

03-25-2021, 11:02 AM	#8
willzilla D3RPZILLA Drives: 2021 Camaro ZL1 a10 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 642 View My Garage	I put in a drop in green air filter, no issues from that and it seemed recommended in a number of places. __________________ 2021 Camaro ZL1 Satin Steel w/a10/PDR/CF/Red Belts/Navigation Website: z1lla.com \| YouTube: youtube.d3rpzilla.com YouTube Playlists: Performance Mods \| Interior & Exterior Mods \| Other Mods

03-24-2021, 09:18 PM	#2
Trak-Toy Drives: 2023 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Virginia Posts: 270	I would put the the stock one back in and see if it improves.. I’m betting it does. I’ve seen this before with an aftermarket high flow filter messing with the MAF sensor

03-24-2021, 09:55 PM	#4
Yang N’ Bang 17’ Hyper Blue 2SS Drives: 17’ Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Phoenix Arizona Posts: 225 View My Garage	MAF probably needs to get used to it. If youre really paranoid, throw the stock filter back in, if it keeps doing it after a day with the paper filter back in some oil from the drop in k&n might have gotten on it. While it’s not a common problem, k&n filters have been known to seep oil when theyre right out of the box, and the MAF sensor on these cars are more sensitive than my psycho ex...

03-25-2021, 07:31 AM	#6
grimesweb Drives: 2019 Camaro SS 1SS Vert Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York Posts: 40	Thanks for the replies all. I figured it was either a re-learn process or MAF got oil on it. I can say that the k&n filter when I took it out of the box had my hand covered in oil. Maybe they over oiled it from the factory? I do have MAF cleaner, maybe i'll clean that bad boy as well and stick with the k&n and see if it improves. May also unhook the battery for a bit after I clean it for a "fresh" start.

03-25-2021, 07:40 AM	#7
cmfhsu Drives: 2019 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT Posts: 112	I'm not a big fan of K&N products, drop in or otherwise. I know it's technically more eco-friendly, but I'd rather use OE paper filters or a dry cone filter any day. On another note, you got a different sound from a drop-in panel filter? That's a new one for me.

03-25-2021, 11:49 AM	#9
Mark R Drives: 2018 ZL-1 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 948	I used to be a fan of K&N filters, but after seeing this years ago, I'll never use one again. They are garbage. Put the stock one back in. http://www.billswebspace.com/AirFilterTest.htm

03-25-2021, 12:10 PM	#10
Seniorrs Drives: 21 Camaro RS manual v6.Tyota Tacoma Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Georgia Posts: 157	Will be replacing factory filter with factory filter when time comes. Thanks

03-25-2021, 01:38 PM	#12
GearheadSS Drives: 23 LT1/22 Colorado TB/69 Chevelle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenville, Tx Posts: 4,969 View My Garage	Paper filter is always best. Won't ruin your MAF and it has been proven that K&N doesn't get you any actual gains.

03-25-2021, 01:39 PM	#13
grimesweb Drives: 2019 Camaro SS 1SS Vert Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York Posts: 40	Should I be worried now that my MAF is soaked with oil? When I took it out of the box, I can honestly say I had TONS of oil on my hands when I touched it.

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