K&N AIR INTAKE KIT CHARGER for H3

[H3 Hummer]

Hi,

I was wondering about this item I saw on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=7996515870&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

I don't think it gives the horsepower gains it says but maybe a little. I don't want to spend the money if the smart folk here think it is a waste. I know K&N is quality stuff but not for sure. Also, I heard that K&N filters let more air in by having less restriction in the filter - also less restriction mean more little dirt particles.
If I am off-roading I don't want this in my engine Is this tru? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

Thanks for the advie.

[H3 Hummer]

Hi,

I was wondering about this item I saw on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=7996515870&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

I don't think it gives the horsepower gains it says but maybe a little. I don't want to spend the money if the smart folk here think it is a waste. I know K&N is quality stuff but not for sure. Also, I heard that K&N filters let more air in by having less restriction in the filter - also less restriction mean more little dirt particles.
If I am off-roading I don't want this in my engine Is this tru? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

Thanks for the advie.

[ChevyHighPerformance]

Somethig doesn't look right. The H3's mass air flow meter is mated to the stock air box. I don't a provision and a "neck down" to relocate the MAF in the K&N.

[ChevyHighPerformance]

I talked to K&N. This is a valid part # and you have to on bolt your maf "guts" and transfer them to their tube. Their posted gains of 18.6 HP at the wheels is for a Colorado. They didn't dyno an H3. Their dyno plot shows peak HP at 6K but the I5's peak HP occurs at 5600 RPM.

[H3 Hummer]

Thanks for the info. I am still debating.

[ChevyHighPerformance]

I looked at K&N's dyno graph again and noticed that the stock peak hp was around 5600 and the peaked moved to 6K with their intake.

[HummahMan]

I know an H3 owner "WhiteH3"(his - Elcova H3 Forum name). He's the first to have a K&N Air Intake kit installed on an H3. K&N's R&D department installed it for him and did some dyno testing too. I'll contact him so that he can post some pics and dyno charts, etc. However, you may want to check out this webpage on air filters. It's technical but very informative...
http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

[HummahMan]

Regarding the eBay seller "exotictruck-auto", I've ordered from them before. I got my item but it was like pulling teeth. I would not recommend doing business with them. Look at the number of recent "negative feedback" they got.

[WhiteH3]

Dynochart for K&N Intake Kit:
2nd Gear Testing on 5 speed manual
Tested with Magnaflow Cat Back Exhaust
Power measured at wheels

[WhiteH3]

Dynochart for K&N Intake Kit:
3nd Gear Testing on 5 speed manual
Tested with Magnaflow Cat Back Exhaust
Power measured at wheels

[WhiteH3]

K&N Intake Photo 1 of 3

[WhiteH3]

K&N Intake Photo 2 of 3

[WhiteH3]

K&N Intake Photo 3 of 3

[H-Unit]

That is awesome! Thanks for the great review WhiteH3!! I guess I will have to buy one now!

[H3 Hummer]

Thanks this is great information all around.

Please let us all know in the future if it also increases fuel economy.

[H3 Hummer]

To me it doesn't look to difficult to install but give me your opinion. Is there any that is just a pain in the butt to do?

[WhiteH3]

K&N Intake Kit Observations:
Noticeably more power off the line.
Noticeably louder since adding the intake(The guys I work with like the sound a lot). Keep in mind that I have only heard it in "concert" with the Magnaflow exhaust system.
Installation:
K&N installed and tested it for me at their engineering facility, so I can't comment on the level of difficulty of the installation but here's a link...
http://www.kandn.com/instructions/63-1095.pdf
Part link:
http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=63-1095
I have not measured fuel efficiency/gas mileage yet. Keep posted.

[HummahMan]

FYI: Testing of air filters...
http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

[WhiteH3]

I am averaging 18 mpg(combined City & Highway driving) and that's with about 1400 miles on the vehicle. Admittedly, I do keep it in gear a little longer than necessary and I am a little heavy on the gas pedal because, I like the exhaust note.

[h2sin]

WhiteH3, did you paint your fron grill black? If so, lets see some pics http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[WhiteH3]

The grill just looks black in the photo. Photograph was taken in a garage.

[Tones H3]

Are there any warranty issues with the K&N Aircharger system?

[WhiteH3]

See K&N's FAQ:
http://knfilter.com/faq.htm

[WPBGUY]

What is the difference between this on and the one from SMA? http://store1.yimg.com/I/xccessory_1862_4203136

[kacyk]

So far I've installed K&N FIPK & Airaid intake systems, MIT's, Corsa and Flowmaster systems in H2's, Tundra's and the Yukon.

In my experience the perfornace gains were marginal at best. In most cases I didn't feel a lick of difference, except a sweet exhaust note. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

However, I do agree that the H3 feels underpowered but then, I bought it for the gas mileage (over our H2) so I wasn't surprised.

If you have any doubts at all but want to "try" these add ons, at least buy it from a vendor that will give you a money back guarantee.

On our Yukon I installed an Airaid Junior kit (filter and MIT) and the Airaid Throttle Body Spacer. Initially I "convinced" myself that my $350.00 yielded more usable ponies but after a long drive up the mountains I came back and returned everything to http://www.autoanything.com. They were great to work with. I can't believe they took back a used filter!

Don't get me wrong though, perhaps the H3's OEM intake and exhaust is so restrictive that an intake coupled with a free flow exhaust works. But it's an expensive lesson.

[UNOMYFLO]

I like the Volant myself do we have any figures on its performance?

One concern with any CAI for these trucks is the water infiltration. Looks to me that the oem box is somewhat sealed to keep the water out what are othrs thoughts on this?

The claim water fording in 2' of water at 5mph or so...with an exposed K&N filter my fear is water getting sucked into the intake/throttle body..

UNO

[FLYINGBADGER2006]

Hey WhiteH3, I also have the K&N air intake and I also purchased recently the (B&B) SMA dual exhaust. So by just guessing here, based on the dyno testing. The H3 was getting roughly 15-20 more HP with the compliment of air intake and after market exhaust installled. Is that the break down?

[WhiteH3]

That's correct based on the Dyno Charts. Note that the horsepower numbers were based on measurements taken at the wheels.

[H3 Hummer]

I bid on one of these filters and got it on eBay for $130.00. Great price so I couldn't go wrong. I installed it tonight and it was pretty easy. Took me about 2 hours total.

I don't have any engine warning light problems so far and the horsepower gains are very noticeable. When your romp on the gas and it kicks down a gear it will go! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

It is lounder but not really for non-agressive driving. None the less the extra loudness doesn't bother me, it sounds good.

I have a question, when should I re oil the filter? When I got just a K & N filter for my wifes beetle the guy at the store said, to do it after about 7,000 miles. This was just a filter not a cold air intake. I am not sure about what to do for the H3? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif What mileage increase have you noticed since installing?

[timgco]

you shouldn't have to oil that thing for quite some time. Make sure when you do, you do not use to much. The oil can ruin something to do with a MAFF sensor. There were previous post about this. You'll have to search why.

[UNOMYFLO]

I know I saw one guy with the Volant CAI whats the deal with that one anybody have that one in?

I like the volant, plus its in a contained box...if you notice under our hoods everything is sealed for the water fording capability...my fear would be the exposed k&n grabbing a lot of water and it getting into the throttle body....

I had a Volant on my 04 hemi ram and loved it really nice pice well made and great cust serv.

[FLYINGBADGER2006]

I like the volant, plus its in a contained box...if you notice under our hoods everything is sealed for the water fording capability...my fear would be the exposed k&n grabbing a lot of water and it getting into the throttle body....
________________________________________________

After attending the South Bend Hummer Off-Road Course in my H3 in Oct., It would be stupid and foolish to ford in more than 24 inches in water at more than 5 mph. and 16 inches of water at 20 mph., as it was instructed by the Hummer trail guides and states in the owners manual. So it is a mute issue regarding the air intake taking water. If you go that deep where the air intake takes water your screwed anyways, And yea the Volant would take water too. It is not an completely air tight box. What good would that be then. No air could get to the manifold. Again, refer to your Hummer manual as to fording in water. Air intakes regardless of stock, K&N, and even Volants or others are are not designed for deep fording. Unless specified and then still you would need a deep fording kit to include a exhaust that pertrude out and up as so not to allow water in thru the exhaust.

[Rajin Cajun]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HummahMan:
FYI: Testing of air filters...
http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Here's another comparison but not quite as much information.
Bob the Oil Guy (http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm)