after the air filter and so is protected from dirt and debris. Modern cars house the MAF sensor inside the intake ………. Debris will erode the turbos alloy impeller and larger debris will break and deform it, causing an imbalance and failure.Ī turbo that spins at over 200,000 rpm needs to be kept cool, contaminated oil will cause bearing and seal failure pretty quickly. While durable, they are extremely sensitive to poor oil quality and unfiltered air. Many car engines are fitted with turbochargers. In addition, dust will contaminate the oil and make its way throughout the engine which will shorten the life of the motor. Dust contains Silica, which is small hard rock particles, and if allowed, would happily sandblast the intake system as your engine sucks air. The filter’s job is to prevent small particles of dust enter the engine. However, that comes with some pretty horrible consequences, especially in dusty conditions. So if more air makes more power, wouldn’t removing the filter altogether increase horsepower? Yes, you are correct it would and many do exactly that. It really is that simple and that’s why upgrading an engine’s air filter is the easiest and most cost-effective modification an owner can make. The concept is simple – more air in equals more power out. Based on this measurement, the ECU makes a calculation and adds the correct volume of gas. Modern cars employ a MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor to measure air volume entering the engine. And that ratio is 14.7: 1 – that’s fourteen point seven parts oxygen to one part gas, it’s the optimum ratio for performance. Not only that, the ratio of air to gas is important. Why Is Air So Important?Īn engine won’t run on gas alone, it needs air (oxygen), and since fire can’t exist without the presence of oxygen, air and gas are equally important. Remapping – reprograming the ECM (Engine Control Module) also known as the ECU, PCMĪir in is super important, as that’s where the power-making process begins.Exhaust – fitting a performance exhaust system allows spent gasses leave the engine faster.There are a few common and relatively inexpensive ways to go about this: The solution is obvious then, if we want more power, we’ll have to make it. I’d remove a ton of components, you know all the comfort stuff, door cards, carpets, insulation, rear seats. I attacked the problem from the other side, making the car lighter. Not having a ton of resources (money or skills) I had to resort to some pretty drastic measures. When I got my first car, I was like all my friends, obsessed with power and speed. The average car owner must work within tight parameters. A racing team has a budget of millions to throw at engineering challenges. However, as said, cost, lack of mechanical skills, and time are for most, limiting factors. There are many ways to increase how quickly a machine moves down the road.
In this post you’ll learn why this mechanic likes K&N filters, you’ll learn how to fit a filter, how and when to clean and oil a K&N filter. K&N filters are worth it, they’re reusable and come with a 10 year or one million-mile warranty. That’s the magic of performance air filters, they are cheap, easy to fit, and most importantly, they make more smiles.įitting a K&N high flow air filter is the easiest, most cost-effective, and least technical way of increasing engine performance. Wanting more power is normal but cost, skills and time often take a P*** on the plans. If you’re still unsure which products you need, head to your local Halfords store where one of our colleagues will be happy to help you out.I love engines, been around them all my life, motorbikes, cars, and trucks. Once you’ve found the correct products, use our delivery or click & collect service to get them sooner.
Finding one is easy with our vehicle registration tool, simply enter your reg into the box and our system will pull relevant products suitable for your car. If your air filter is faulty or needs replacing, dirt and grime can also mix with the oil that is supplied to the engine, overtime wearing away the components of the engine.Īt Halfords, we stock a huge range of air filters and performance air filters for all car makes and models, including performance air filters for diesel cars. Because they collect dirt, they are subject to blockages which stops air from passing through, and this is when you should replace it.
All of the above are damaging to your car’s overall performance, but as well as this, air filters play a huge role in your car’s efficiency and lifespan. A constant flow of clean, fresh air also prevents your car from overheating. The fuel-air mixture that your car relies on to propel you forward is cleaned by the air filter, which removes dirt and debris before the airflow reaches the engine. An air filter works hard to prevent debris from entering the car’s engine.