I got mine in the mail yesterday and immediately went to install on my 2002. I put the filter in but had a hard time squeezing the frame w/filter back into intake. I wiggled it back and forth and it slid down. As I went to clamp it, the rubber part of the filter kept squeezing through. I pushed it down with my fingers and clamped the box. Done!

Now, I went back inside and emptied the box and two foam stick on pads fell out. These are supposed to stick to the top and bottom of the air filter frame from the car. Without taking it out, there is no way that would fit. I'm wondering, from those who have bought the drop in...Did you put the foam pads on the frame?

 

Yes.

 

Do they hold the filter against the frame? Was it harder to put in or did it clamp easier?

 

I don't recall any difficulty at all. Granted it was about 18 months ago.

 

I've had a K&N cone filter on my previous car and I loved it. It seems that the consensus around here is that the K&N isn't the ideal way to go.

I was thinking about putting the panel filter in my new Max but I remember some posts about the filter oil affecting the MAF(?).

I know the panel filter probably won't yield any performance gains but I thought it would be easier from a maintenance standpoint. I already have the cleaners for it and will always have them because I have K&N pods on my motorcycle ->pic

So what's the word on the K&N panel filter? Yay or nay?

 

I say YAY. I would not say it "won't yield any performance gains"...it does seem to help throttle response and a bit of higher end breathing, but that is my butt-dyno opinion.

 

OK, OK, lets get back on topic here...plenty of benefits/no-benefits threads on performance.

Did you use the foam pads to put in the filter?

 

See answer above...

 

Removed the cone filter (no brand name mentioned), and installed the panel filter. Used the "pads" with no difficulty.

Also removed silencer and added a 4 inch diameter (expandable to 52 in length) "downspout tube" (3 1/2 inch rectangle end and 3 inch round end) to the opening and picking up fresh air from under the car. With minor trimming . . . it looks factory! I may try to adapt it to the stock intake opening . . . cut and splicing!!!

There was no difference in the bottom end when compared to the cone setup, but the top end felt (psychologically???) much stronger. The "sound" is still there, even though I hate it! It gives me away!

I also noticed that the panel filter needs more frequent cleaning.

I would really be curious to see some dyno numbers comparing a panel and a cone system.

. . . just my 2 cents . . .

 

Flip it upside down and see if that works.

 

Flip the K&N upside down, install it and see if that works.

 

I tried flipping it both ways, thinking one end was wider than the other...but there was no difference.

 

Hey, I just got the K&N drop-in last week and installed it without putting on the pads thinking it wasn't necessary and also had difficulty squeezing the filter back in. Then I looked at the instructions(typical guy) and saw that the pads ARE necessary for installment. The pads held the filter in the frame and when sliding it back in, instead of sliding it straight down I squeezed it towards me a little(if that's understandable). Slapped on the stickers and tested it out. And having driven my '02 for a year on the OEM filter, I definitely noticed a difference. Of course it maybe just be my imagination, but I think it was a good investment!

 

Yes, the spacer pad deals should be used. I also didn't think they were needed but realized 1/2 way through the install. Used them and if fit just fine.

Although I bought the drop-in a day after I purchased my Max. I really don't know if if made any difference at all. Probably not, but I think it's just a better over all filter for the car.

 

Yes, the spacer pad deals should be used. I also didn't think they were needed but realized 1/2 way through the install. Used them and if fit just fine.

Although I bought the drop-in a day after I purchased my Max. I really don't know if if made any difference at all. Probably not, but I think it's just a better over all filter for the car.

 

 

Yes, I used the pads. I really didn't have any trouble getting the filter back in either.

 

Yeah, pads are the way to go, for the car I mean.