Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

I just installed a K&N flat panel for my HCH (part# 33-2338) and let me tell you, it helps improve my acceleration. I did not believe at first so I put the old stock air filter back and even had a friend to try it with or without K&N ( I did not tell him what I did). He was able to notice the difference as well. It's not significant, it doesn't make my car 0-60 under 5 seconds or anything, but it's a difference.

Looking at the design, as usual K&N filtration system is thinner than stock, so the air flows faster. You should do your research, there are so many K&N haters out there, even I was a bit reluctant although I had K&N filter in my previous cars.

Anyway, I just want to share my happy experience so far, the MPG however seems to be the same, may be I still have the right foot joy and drives a bit more aggresive this time.

I got mine from www.autoanything.com for $35.xx + Tax, free shipping. www.ajusa.com also has similar deal on that.
It takes only 2 minutes to replace your air filter, no tools required if you live in the bay area and needs help just holla ;)

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

I'm anxious to see if you get better MPG.

I may try this.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

Just the accelleration is a nice addition. We've got some very nutty drivers here in Cow Town, and being able to squirt out of the way would be a welcome addition. Then again, so would a horn loud enough to wake the dead, but one thing at a time :)

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

Not sure if you can out-accelerate other cars LOL....HCH is still slow but I feel the throttle is more responsive, how about that ? It's definitely less effort to move the car from a dead stop after I installed my K&N.

MPG improvment is hard to notice I guess....when I first got the card - I got only 42MPG. Then I read the driving tricks and I was able to score 51MPG. Right now, I drive my car without paying too much attention on MPG and I get 46.5 with or without K&N. We'll see though...;)

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

Moved to Gen 1 section...

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

I installed a K&N a week before I made the decision to sell my HCH I. Didn't feel too much of a difference BUT having the ability to never buy another air filter again was a HUGE plus. Cleaning & reoiling them is a bit of a pain though but I usually get over it.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

I'm new to the group and starting to look into some acceleration and mileage enhancements to my 2003 HCH with MT. Aha - it sounds like you just got the filter element. Did you look into a whole cold air intake system? Is anyone aware of one available specifically for the HCH? I'm wondering if a kit for a regular Civic could be modified.

Changing the filter element could make a difference, but adding a cold air intake system (also called a forced-air induction system) would make a much bigger improvement, albeit with the tradeoff of louder intake noise.

I also want to look into a cat-back exhaust system. Does anyone have any information on those?

Dan

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

I'll give this a shot. How often do you clean it? One person said eery 6 months, the K&N thing says every 50000k. That's a big difference.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

bbb: How often you need to clean it depends entirely on what your driving conditions are. My cleaning interval will be shorter than someone who lives in Iowa corn country simply because I drive past an open-air quarry on every commute. However, I won't be cleaning as often as someone who lives in Phoenix, since my airborne dust content is still lower than their's. Best thing to do is just read up and see how they tell you to recognize when it needs cleaned, and just follow that.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

OK, normally I get 46.1-46.5 because I just drive the car without hypermiling. After driving for about 1000 miles with K&N, I'm more consistent to hit 47.3-48 - not significant but I still appreciate the acceleration improvement.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

+1.2mpg isn't anything to sniff at, and the improved acceleration, as I said, is a welcome addition in CBus. I'm sold :)

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

I would say an almost 4% fuel economy gain is extremely significant for a changed air filter, especially if you have more peak power, which begs the question -- why don't the automakers use these to begin with? Engineers will go to extreme lengths to get a 4% efficiency gain, so using an inferior air filter seems like a very low-hanging fruit.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

Convenience and cost. What do you think the answer will be when the guy in the boardroom suggests using a filter that cost $15 bucks more (a guess) and has more maintenance. And some of these car companies produce 50,000 or more cars a week. Do that math.
That's one of the reasons why the aftermarket exists.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

Not to mention that air-filter maintenence is a recurring LABOR cost (money for the dealer) and NOT a recurring PART cost (money for both the dealer and the manufacturer).
Potential liability for over-or-under oiling (the maintenence) would likely be a concern also.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

Well, the general consensus among the racing guys is "It's the first mod we do," though they also strongly caution against over-oiling the filter, as it'll cause MAF (Mass Air Flow sensor) problems.

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

*** SCCCREEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCHHHH ***
That sound you hear is me slamming on the brakes after reading this: http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

I am not surprised by this test. I had an F-150 truck that I hauled horses with for 20 years, frequently on dirt roads. I ran a K&N filter for a few years, but stopped because the throttle body kept clogging with dust! The truck would start idling rough and progress to stalling frequently when stopped if I did not clean out the throttle body every 5 or 6 months when I used the K&N filter. A ridge of dust would accumulate around the throttle plates, blocking off more air than the EFI system could adjust for.

After I switched back to using Fram paper filters, I could go several years without having a rough idle from the dust build up. The Ford 5.0 V8 with EFI is prone to dust build up, but it normally takes 20 to 30K miles to show up, not 4 or 5K miles like I experienced with the K&N filter. :omg:

FYI, I did clean and oil the K&N filter a few times to see if it would help, despite the "50K before cleaning is needed" wording on the filter box...

PS - Interesting how well AC Delco's filter performed in that link!

Re: Just installed K&N flat on my 1st gen HCH
 

Any performance benefits would be so minute, that you'll more than likely not feel it. It's called the "seat of the pants" test. Any power gains are possibly due to placebo effect.

The best indicator would be to test both filters either on a dyno, or a drag strip.

I believe the only benefit of a K&N is the ability to clean and reuse. You'll definitely save money over it's longevity. Personally, I'd rather not worry about cleaning and reoiling. I just buy the stock filter. I don't know if any tests have been done with Honda car filters, but their OEM motorcycle filters have proven to be superior to K&N.

If anyone is local within the Phoenix metro area, I have an accelerometer which tests 0-60, 1/4 mile times, and 60-0 braking. I'd be happy to meet up with you anywhere around here to test the K&N out. My accelerometer is accurate to within 1/100's of a second. Or, we could meet up at Speedworld Motorplex. Wednesday nights are $15 ($10 military), unlimited runs, run what you brung...