k&n xstream air filter top worth the $$?

staledog

hey guys, last year i bought the K&N 14 inch replacement air filter for my elky 454. i still have the rusty chrome air filter solid top, and kinda want to replace it with the K&N xstream air filter lid (60 to 70 bucks). they look cool, and i figured it should let my elky breath a lot easier, and hopefully be worth a few HP.

however, my brother told me he read an article somewhere that said if you already have a K&N lower filter, the xstream lid is pretty much useless unless you just want it for the looks. if i'm just going for looks i will buy a new chrome top for like 20 bucks or whatever.

so does anyone agree/disagree with this or have you seen an article about that subject? anyone really noticed an improvement after installing one of these xstream lids? by the way my elky has pretty much the stock 1973 454 drivetrain and is not super fast or modded (yet!!)

thanks for the imput
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73 ELKY 454

UnclesCamino · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject:

If you are running a 14x3 or bigger then you are probably pulling as much air as you would ever need. I doubt that the lid would help that much. But they do look cool. I wouldn't buy a cheap $20 chrome one unless you want it to rust again, even the $30 Edelbrock one I bought last year is starting to get some rust on mine. I would look for a nice billet aluminum one on ebay. Its all in what you like and what you want.

Rob
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1979 El Camino
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bigjames4xl · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:22 am Post subject:

I agree with your brother. Unless you just want that look it's NOT money well spent. I have a repo stock style chrome lid I got from NPD that has remained rust free for 5 years. I do keep it cleaned and waxed though since I do show my elky occassionally.
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staledog · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject:

thanks for those replies guys. i only wanted to buy one of those if it was actually going to give me a performance boost. I'll just get a new regular chrome one and spend the remaining 50 bucks on a tach or something.

wow my brother was actually right about something for once!! HA.
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73 ELKY 454

Snaggle To0th · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:52 pm Post subject:

dont waste the money it'll only hurt you more.

-Anduh
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Proud Wyotech Graduate

69 tremec · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:27 am Post subject:

yeah i meen it makes sence i guess..but i always thougt it was gonna give you as much power as like the "tornado" or "flex" kinda fake you cant feel the difference power so idk yeah staying chrome top you prolly have the best bet.
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tim fraley

7d8ss · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject:

My experience with the filtered top is this. 90 degrees & humidity off the charts, I took 2 runs down the strip that were terrible. I took my air cleaner off ( I really don't like to do that & don't recommend it.) Picked up 2 tenths of a second. Next time temp & humidity were like that, I borrowed a friends k&n top. It picked up the 2 tenths from my chromed top. I've been " borrowing" it since. It does not seem to make any noticeable difference on cool low humidity days. I will be getting the summit version for about $43 bucks. Just my personal experience, not a recommendation. - Jon
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