K&N Filters and 355's

Not worth the potential headache of clogged MAS screens...Stay with the stock ones...

 

I'm running on mine. I'm agree with you that it does not increase to much performance, but the car breathes better and you could clean and mantein them whenever you want, and not replacing with the stocks one.

As you says all my cars are running with K&N's Filters, and I have not any problem at the moment. 2.7 injection on my engine, I don't know what happens with 5.2, maybe 285 are right....

 

INTERESTING!! This is a great topic to discuss! I, personally, have never heard anything about the potential of an oiled air filter contaminating the MAF sensor(s) on the F355, but it would make sense. I have always used K&N or BMC air filters on my cars. I am currently using BMCs on my F355, not so much for performance gains, but due to the highly "dusty" conditions in San Antonio, TX. IMHO, oiled filters (when used with sealing grease) do a much better job of filtering the air without clogging. I usually clean my air filters every 1200 miles or 3 months. I also clean my MAF sensor once a year.

 

Actually the 5.2 355 uses a "hot film" meter/resistor, not the wire type, but I would imagine it is equally sensitive to oil contamination. I believe most of the problems experienced with K&N filters is from over oiling. But for me, I am figuring it is not worth the risk or hassles, and stick with oem. But have used K&N in many vehicles in that past, including a 328GTS and carb 308GTS.

 

For general reference ....... I believe the 550 uses the same or very simliar sized air boxes/filters. So if the filters are big enough for the 12 cylinder, they should have enough flow area for the 8 cylinder of the 355.

Though the 12 cylinder does draw its air from the 'taller' end of the box, same as the dual MAF 2.7 355. Whereas the 5.2 355 draws from the shorter end. So there might be some hinderance to flow due to that.

In addition the 2.7 has more cross sectional MAF flow area with its dual smaller MAFs, in comparison to the single larger MAF of the 5.2. Some have noted that is where the 5 BHP difference between the 2.7 and the 5.2 355s. I think there may be a fuel mapping difference between the 2.7 & 5.2 that might play a part as well.

 

+1, I agree 100%. I use an oiled filter on my STi to squeeze out every ounce of performance, but I don't want the risk of contaminating the 355 sensor. They are easily cleanable, but I choose to just not worry about it.

 

Is usually best to deal with facts and on hands experiences about K&Ns on Ferraris I have been using the same K&Ns on a 355 for 4 years now, and also on a pair of other Ferraris as well for 2 years along side the 355. They cause no problems what so ever, and no they dont oil up the MAS screens. I clean and oil the K&N filters once a year.

 

I have BMC panel filters in my 355, no problems clogging anything up, nice increase in induction roar.

 

James,

I used to sell these K&Nfilters, and as long as you make sure there is no oil dripping from the new filter, there is no danger of coating the maf.
I personaly allways advices to let the new and pre-oiled filter, dripp out on a pease of kitchen-paper for atleast 24h.
The exces oil (red) will be sucked into the paper.
If you don`t, the oil can form a layer of burned glass-like residu on the heated sensor, wich disturbes the reading of the maf...

After cleaning, make sure it is dry before oiling, and again let it (red oil) dripp-out form >24h after re-oiling, before fitting in the car.
K&N will give you a little more umpf, but don`t excpect miracels!

Lets burn some rubber!
Ben

 

My mechcanic has personally seen MAF sensors go bad as a result of oil from the filters getting into them. He told me to stay away from them.. His recommendation was enough for me...

 

Frankly, this thread has me a little worried. As I stated previously, I'm using using BMCs on my F355, not so much for performance gains, but due to the highly "dusty" conditions in San Antonio, TX. IMHO, oiled filters (when used with sealing grease) do a much better job of filtering the air without clogging. I usually clean my air filters every 1200 miles or 3 months. I also clean my MAF sensor once a year with CRC cleaner.

Ben348's post was very good. I always let my oiled gauze filters "wick" for at least 12 hours on that old fashion brown paper (the kind used in restaurants to dry fried foods). IMHO many of the problems from MAF sensor contamination probably comes from owners not letting the filters wick prior to installation and/or over-oiling their filters. If I didn't live in such a dry/dusty area I would switch back to OEM to avoid the potential problem. However, in down here in good ol' Texas, I'm more concerned with fine dust contamination than with oil. God, I wish there were a DEFINITIVE answer to these issues. My anal retentive nature makes me fixate on this type of sh_t!!!

 

Scott - It's also really dusty here in Phoenix area, but I think most owners still use stock filters. Not sure how they do with them, though. When I get my 348 back on the road, I'll see how I do with stock. I think other 348 owners do well. I always plan to stick with stock unless there's a REAL need to change.

 

Hey what do i know

 

Good advice Ben---Maybe that is where some of the problems lie. Guys putting too much oil on them or not letting them drip out before installing after a re-oil...

 

I think they have there own flters that come with the kit. Those filters have been tested with the GruppeM system....

 

Mmm

 

I'll jump in. I trust Fernando and Richard at Competizione completely and they are the ones that recommended and installed my K&N's for me. I suspect that some of the problems are from the oiling of the filters but pretty much whatever Competizione tells me (within reason) I do.