K&N air filters add 5-10%? Also: xenon?

[Huw Powell]

> They claim that the K&N air filter will add 5-10% more HP to a car.

and they probably say "up to"... ie, zero to ten percent.  I suspect the
reality is closer to zero, especially with the CIS cars.

> For my 1990 200TQ, they sell the normal filter for $10 and the
> washable reusable magical one for $45.  Has anyone used these?  Do
> they work as advertised?  How often do I need to wash them?  Washing
> machine, or dryclean only?  :)

i think the K&N is suposed to be cleaned and re-oiled every 10k.  the
stock paper filters (which have a larger area, btw) are to be changed
every 20k.

Area is the key, there are applications where an aftermarket filter is a
big plus, due to increasing the area.  With the typical CIS setups, this
can't be done effectively.

> Also: say I get the Euro headlamps.  Do xenon bulbs really make a
> great deal of difference over the some-other-halogen bulbs (xenon is a
> halogen too)?

No....

> I've heard much about burning out H4 bulbs - do the
> xenon ones last longer?

No....

> My alternator may not be up to supplying the
> juice for 100W bulbs, so I'm looking for lower wattage brightness.

It should be if it works.

> Can't I have a headlight made entirely from superbright LEDs that
> draws 2 watts and spanks the DOT lights?

No....

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/