Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance K&N vs. KKM

Hello,

First of all, this is my first post, and I'm definitely not a car expert, but I wanted to start learning, and making some basic mods to my 1998.5 SVT Contour. I wanted to start simple by changing the air filter or the air box. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the K&N vs. the KKM? I noticed on the induction page, in reference to the KKM, that it is suggested to also perform exhaust modifications if the KKM is installed. Is this really necessary? At this point, I don't want to undertake that kind of mod, but I certainly don't want to get the KKM if I'm not going to see any benefit.

Your thoughts? Thanks a lot- great website.

Sincerely,
DM.

For the intake, go with the KKM. The K&N will not make any noticeable difference, do to the fact that air still has to travel into the restrictive airbox before it ever gets to the filter itself. The KKM however is an open air filter, which will not restrict air flowing to it. You should see a gain of 3-5 hp with the KKM. Low end torque may drop a tiny amount, but high end torque gain will compensate for the low end loss. Throttle response should improve slightly also. About your comment of others saying that exhaust mods should be made -- this is true, however it doesnt necessarily entail a lot of money. The least you should probably do is replace the OEM muffler with a performance one because the increased air flow through the new filter must be able to exit the exhaust quicker. Whats the gain of sucking more air in when you cant blow it out....nothing! Then of course if you wanted to, you could extend the exhaust mods later to a new y-pipe, resonator removal, or headers to let the exhaust flow even more freely (but that will cost a lot more than it sounds like you are willing to spend).

Just get the KKM. There's no NEED to do exhaust mods, but it's the next sensible place to look once you have the KKM.

The KKM is worth it just for the new sounds you're going to hear.

I finally "bit the bullet" today and ordered a KKM from SP Motorsports.....After alot of research on both the K&N and the KKM, I decided that I wanted the air flow more than I wanted the car to look stock. Just my 2 cents.........

Intresting comments re the K&N but would someone "enlighten" me how a filter that is stuck out in the hot under hood air could possibly give better air intake than one using the forced air into the K&N. More noise I can buy but my 99 SVT has noticeably better performance with the K&N.

I have since added a BORLA system and run the car on Mobil 1 Also a good improvement

Bob Kidd[email]null[/email]

Bob Kidd: Yes you're correct that the K&N (located in the stock airbox...which shields heat) will filter slightly cooler air. However because the airbox is so restrictive, the amount of air that is slightly cooler and condensed is very small. The KKM's air flow is not restricted by one forced opening like the K&N. The KKM can suck in a greater volume of air. Although it does filter hotter air than the K&N, the amount of total airflow will in the end be greater than a smaller, cooler, more condensed airflow of the K&N.

The SVT intake is not restrictive. Take a look at it - the air goes into the fender, through that ugly black box, into the large mouthed hold of the intake box. The KKM will flow more, though, but that's just due to the filter design, not the airbox. If only the KKM filter would fit into the SVT airbox...

www.capitolceg.com

Look in the mods section, there are intake comparisons that have dyno charts and all.

I disagree with the statement that the K&N makes no noticable difference. The throttle response is definetly there, compared with the old stock filter.

Contourguy, could you explain how tests comparing a 96 SE airbox and filter to a KKM setup are meaningfull to a SVT?