air filter

A friend of mine has a 98 Valk and it has a K&N filter installed after he had new exhaust system installed. He says the intake opening isn't very big and is wondering if it would make any difference in performace if he drill a few extra holes around the opening? Anybody done this or heard of anyone who has, notice any difference? Thanks

['KC']

He says the intake opening isn't very big? How big does he want? Mine performs just fine, and I know a lot of members have re-jetted, changed the exhaust, etc. Even added a supercharger, but I haven't heard that anyone needed to increase the air intake.

He wants to know if it would make any difference to increase the air flow into the carbs. Anyone even done this?

If your acquaintance is suggesting drilling holes in the air box to increase air flow, don't do it.  I've heard of more than one hapless Valk rider who has done so and were very sorry. Honda Tech service advises that the air box is designed to handle all the air that the Valk can breathe. Upsetting the balance will cause issues.

[Jim O'Hara]

I am a factory sales rep for Wix Filters. I can tell you this is bad idea. BTW. K&N is not a very good filter to begin with. They are like STP a commodity product meant to sell and not really work.

i just got a k&n filter for my valk...no instructions , so where does the black foam part go? under the filter or over it ?

[Valker]

on top-before the air goes into the filter.

[erikrichard]

First, I just ditched the piece of foam, I've been using K&N's on other vehicles for years and never even seen this piece.
Second, ignore the salesman from Wix - K&N's have worked great for me for about the last 7 years.  And don't post that airfilter comparison, not interested in propaganda.

[Jim O'Hara]

No propogana my friend, from this Wix Salesman as you called me. Just compare the media. That is what makes a great filter, not chrome and pretty red colors and glossy retail packaging!

You can use what ever you feel comfortable with same as me.

[erikrichard]

Its just a little interesting that on K&N's website they have a big section on tests.  In an independent lab test their filters filter out 98% but the propaganda tests show them filtering out 88-92%.  I do look at the filter media - 7 layers of cotton saturated in oil sounds like a pretty darn good filter to me.
Here's a real world experience of mine.  I installed a K&N in my Safari work van about 3 years ago.  After 50k (about 6 months ago) I cleaned it.  Upon taking it out, I could not believe the buildup of dirt on the topside of the filter - it was like a quarter inch thick!  the bottom side of the filter, however, looked BRAND NEW! Not a hint or spec of dirt or dust in the air box below the filter or on this side of the filter whatsoever.
I knocked the filter against a tree and large clumps of dirt fell off, then applied the K&N spray cleaner and let set for a few minutes.  When I reverse flushed it with my hose, black water flowed for like 5 seconds from the filter.  Yep, I was and still am impressed.

[erikrichard]

If you think a product inserted in plastic and placed in a red box is fancy packaging, you are easily impressed.  How are Wix filters sold - in a brown paper bag?

[Jim O'Hara]

What is your problem man? You seem to want to pick a fignt with me or something. You are free to use what ever filter products you so desire. You are the one that posted don't listen to the Wix Salesman. I just know what I am talking about.. I have been in the parts business for 27 years.

Never said Wix were sold in a brown paper bag. I was giving facts ypu accused me of propoganda. The K&N is a retail line of filter. Wix is sold as a professional line to professional users. We don't use bells and whistles to sell the line. Just facts.

You ever seen a Wix filter in a retail store like Advance Auto Parts, Pep Boys, Discount Auto Parts , Checkers.,

Nope you have not and you will not, we sell to the Professional Auto Parts Supplilers,  that are concerned about their customer getting a top quality product.

Sure, they all sell a cheap line of filters because the retail customer is shopping for a cheap low cost filter. We even make a line of those ourselves but we do not promote it. It is just available for the customer that demands it. It is less than 3% if our business. We hope stays that way or lower.

K&N even has a retail display to prove their filter is better. It is a trick display to deceive the retail customer.. it is a joke..

Like I said if you are comfortable with the K&N have at it. It is your choice. ...

Whether you use Wix or K&N or Fram or OE,  puts no food on my table. I was just passing on information.....

[erikrichard]

I'm not trying to pick a fight, I am responding to your trashing of a product I use with a little debate, thats all.   Don't be so defensive, and thanks for the insight on Wix filters since I know nothing about them.  Have a good one.

I quess it is to much to ask that we all get along, I thought He was alittle upset with you myself, Jim.  Don't broad cast the info on Wix filters to much, it would be a shame if the price went up.

[Jim O'Hara]

Well Wix, is already one of the higher priced brands on the market, and for good reason.

Like I said, I was just passing on information. I did not trash the product. Just said it was not a very good product.