QuestionHi,
One of my questions was already answered by you regarding the cheap performance chips (thank you). However, I had a few more regarding performance upgrades. If I'm getting a high quality air filter, I am thinking K&N or AEM, would it be fine if I got an cool-air intake system with that as well? or is it not worth it?
Also, I know a lot of people talk about "fart cans" for exhaust systems. What exhaust systems/kits should I get which aren't known as these "fart cans"?
Thank you
Answer I prefer K&N filters. K&N has been in the business much longer than anyone else who produces this type of high-flow filter. This means that, while the other guys were figuring out how K&N does it and building the tooling to produce a wide variety of filters, K&N was exploring new technology and applications. In the performance business it's sort of like buying a Chinese monkey-copy of a high-performance manifold or buying an Edelbrock. The cheap manifold will work, but it won't be as good as the Edelbrock. Starting from further down the road puts you closer to the finish line.
The thing with these cool-air systems is that most of them were designed for appearance, not performance. The assumption is that cooler air delivered through these tubes will make more power. But the OEM already designed an air intake system that is designed to bring in cool air, and they put it in the car when they built it. Changing from a paper air filter to a high-flow (K&N) air filter is pretty much the only improvement we can make. Why don't OEMs use high-flow filters? Mostly it's a matter of cost. Paper filters are very good at what they do (keeping dirt out of the intake air--a very important warranty issue) and very cheap to make. They also do a better job of suppressing noise, which is very important to the OEM. The only time anyone might really benefit from a cold-air intake would be actual racing (at the track). For a daily driver they just don't serve any useful purpose.
What we refer to as "fart cans" are replacement mufflers designed to resonate at low frequencies and make a lot of noise. None of them offer an increase in actual power, just an increase in the sensation (noise) of power. A replacement system from a reputable vendor that goes from the converter back will give the best increase in power. It will be louder, probably, but not loud for loudness sake. Most makers of quality systems will offer data on back pressure, comparing theirs to others and the OEM. Lowest back pressure is best. In the old days (carburetors) changing back pressure could change tuning and cause mixture problems. With OBDII computer controlled fuel injection, though, the computer can compensate for these changes. Extreme changes in the engine (increased compression, more radical cam profiles, etc.) will require the ability to tune beyond the factory limits. This means tuning software for the computer and alterations in the fuel injectors and ignition system to take advantage of the changes. All of this is very expensive and absolutely useless for an everyday driver that is going to spend a lot of its time idling at stop lights and stuck in traffic.
