Series Air filter upgrade

[cedryck]

Does anyone know if K&N make a series truck air filter replacement for the Oil Bath? Are there any other makes that do the same? Any modifications needed to your carb. after doing so?

[Cevan]

K&N air filters are not good at filtering air. Oil bath air filters are far superior IMHO.

[cedryck]

Could not agree more with you. That is why I have been running an oil bath for the 7500 miles that my series 2a has been on the road. But, I am looking to get a little more breathing from the engine, and considered dumping the filter, I have a stock exhaust and do not know how much more umph it will add. Perhaps I will just stay with what I have.

[SafeAirOne]

"Umph" and a 2.25 are incompatible. That's just the way it is.

[cedryck]

Good one Safe Air one. I am well aware of the slowness, time stops factor of series driving. I think I will keep it as is, plus I love the vintage look when you show someone your engine.

[bugeye88]

I have used K+N filters on many vehicles and find they filter well and improve air flow. You must clean them more frequently if they are used off road in very dirty conditions, but this is easy. If severe conditions are anticipated, put the oil bath back on temporarily, easy. Every car or truck I have put a K+N on has had a noticeable improvement in performance, even the 2.25. This is especially true if you are using a carb that increases intake volume.

Cheers,
Rob

[Apis Mellifera]

I have a K&N on my SIII. There was a noticeable improvement in top speed and acceleration when I ditched the oil bath. Mine wasn't for any particular application. I just looked through the K&N catalog until I found one with the right inlet diameter and height.

[Rat Patrol]

I went OEM and ordered a snorkel and oil bath to replace my filter element. The regular oil bath really restricts airflow where as the snorkel lets more air in with the high quality filtration we expect.

[timc930]

I have a K&N on my SIII. There was a noticeable improvement in top speed and acceleration when I ditched the oil bath. Mine wasn't for any particular application. I just looked through the K&N catalog until I found one with the right inlet diameter and height.

What model did you purchase?

[luckyjoe]

I went OEM and ordered a snorkel and oil bath to replace my filter element. The regular oil bath really restricts airflow where as the snorkel lets more air in with the high quality filtration we expect.

Fuzzy math?

The snorkel tubing and elbows add even more restriction.

[TeriAnn]

K&N filters are used by off road racers who rebuild their engines between races but are otherwise not the best filter to use for off road driving where the dust levels are high. The stock Series filters are a lot better for clearing dust out of the intake air.

If you want the best of both and are willing to do the work you can do a K&N on pavement and switch back to the stock filter when you leave the pavement.

The K&N fits best on the end of the stock system's steel elbow.

8929

If you want the best solution look to see what commercial earth moving equipment and tractors are using then find something with the same air requirements as your engine that can be made to fit.

My V8 powered truck uses a Donaldson paper air filter with a prefilter in front of it. All chosen to meet the airflow requirements of my engine.

8930

You can use the formula below to find out how much air your need and choose a filter or filter & prefilter that operates in that range.

8931

[bugeye88]

TeriAnn,

Your pic of the K+N on the steel elbow is exactly how I have used on two series trucks. My current one is on my 69 Bug Eye with a 34ICH. I agree that on extremely dirty talcum like dust, the oil bath is good, but for most conditions and certainly on road, the K+N is excellent.

Rob

[cedryck]

thanks for the replies. I had a K&N on my Defender, so I was used to taking it out occasionally and washing and oiling it. I agree the oil bath works best with real dirty condition, I am looking to improve on road, and pulling a trailer performance.

[LR Max]

I used to run what TerriAnn posted, that EXACT same setup.

The air filter wasn't big enough once I went with a Rochester. I ended up with a whatever cone filter from Pep Boys. Still cover it in the K&N oil.

No problems and everything looks clean on the inside of the elbow and carb. That said, we don't have fine talc dust here in the southeast. Just normal people dust. After a couple off roading trips, the filter does need to be pulled and cleaned but that isn't a big deal.

[Revtor]

Is the oil bath really that restrictive? Its a big hose going to a big canister, with some steel wool in it, then around a bend (close to some oil) and through 360degrees of louvers.

You guys sure this isn't the fabled K&N placebo effect -guaranteed you think you just made 10HP or your money back?

[Apis Mellifera]

All I know is with the oil bath, my truck couldn't do 70 mph. With the K&N and no other changes, it will go faster than 70 mph. The "it'll wear the engine out" sentiment hasn't been my experience. I've had them on a number of street and race cars for years. When properly oiled, there is no appreciable increased wear. An old English engine with 80K or 100K miles is going to need a rebuild regardless of the air filter fitted.

[TeriAnn]

All I know is with the oil bath, my truck couldn't do 70 mph. With the K&N and no other changes, it will go faster than 70 mph.

You do realize of course that with stock gears, Suffix C or later transfercase & 32 inch dia tyres you are turning 4000 RPM at 70 MPH. An earlier transfercase or smaller tyres and you are revving higher.

[JimCT]

every 90 degree bend in the air intake is the equivelant of 10ft of straight pipe. the snorkle is for dusty conditions, it is more restrictive than the oil bath. the LR engine works find with the K&N filter, we are talking about an almost tractor engine.

[Apis Mellifera]

You do realize of course that with stock gears, Suffix C or later transfercase & 32 inch dia tyres you are turning 4000 RPM at 70 MPH. An earlier transfercase or smaller tyres and you are revving higher.

What's wrong with 4000rpm? Been cruising at that engine speed for nearly 40 years. So far so good. If 4K scares you, you should hear 6K or 7K. Before retirement, my MGA (three main bearings and all) would see those speeds. I wouldn't spin the Rover that fast; there's no need, but there's nothing wrong with 4K. I have 30" tires and an OD, btw.

[bugeye88]

Which is why these trucks need overdrive to navigate todays insane roads!.
Cheers,
Rob
69 series2a Bug Eye with Fairey OD

[cedryck]

Amen to that!

[SafeAirOne]

Which is why these trucks need overdrive to navigate todays insane roads!.
Cheers,
Rob
69 series2a Bug Eye with Fairey OD

I disagree. What do I care how fast people behind me want to go when I'm in the right lane of a 4 lane highway?

[bugeye88]

Mark,

It's not that I care that I'm slower than the general flow of traffic (which I am) it's just a lot easier on the engine.
Rob

[Apis Mellifera]

8941
Back on topic and in reply to a previous request, here's what mine looks like. The only number I see is B059A6.

[timc930]

Thank you. Everytime K&N comes up on any forum that I have been on, the old filtration and power debates start. You should see it on the 911 forums!!!! Guys there even dyno with and without to see difference in power.

I've got one on the 930, with zero noticeable difference in power, but it does make wonderful intake music when I get on it. The only reason I did it was to clean up the engine bay and to make it easier to make CO adjustments...was thinking same for the IIa, but I may just leave the oilbath on...

tim

[bugeye88]

Tim,

With all cars it's "air in....exhaust out" the least restriction the better on either end. Clean is good, finding the best of both is the answer. Low HP motors need to heed this more than any.

Rob
69 Bug Eye 88
67 Mini Cooper
67 M.G. Midget
67 V.W. series 1 sunroof
64 356 C Coupe
09 911 C4 Cab
K+N's on all of them

[LR Max]

Which is why these trucks need overdrive to navigate todays insane roads!.
Cheers,
Rob
69 series2a Bug Eye with Fairey OD

Yep.

I can tell you that being able to cruise comfortably at 65 mph is a lot better than lower speeds. Especially on the interstates.

Where I live, if you want to get anywhere in any kind of reasonable time, you hit the I-roads. Am I doing 85? No. But I'm pretty gosh darn close to the posted speed limit (and above in some places). Anyway, I am going pretty close to the speed of traffic which is what I want and the best way to stay out of trouble. Oh and stay in the right lane.

Anywho, I went to a cone filter since I did dual batteries. Removed the oil bath to make room for a 2nd battery. I have no regrets.

[gwmaxhunter]

I have seen dino tests on different air intake filter setups where a 300 buck system gives a increase in intake air temp and a loss in power. i want to play with on a stock rover and make a ram air system (a poor mans blower) and also play with different plenum risers. my 109 i have kept stock the oil bath air filter setup and it seems to work good.89548955

[cedryck]

Thanks mates, love the pics.