My experience with KN filters is that I love them. I do prefer the drop in replacement filters as opposed to the "CAI" version being they really aren't cold air intake systems. The "CAI" just absorbs the surrounding motor heat with their "Heat Shield" to protect them. The only benefit the CAI will have is moving air in the tube over the stock tube. As far for the lower temp it takes approximately 10 degrees lower intake temp to produce 1HP. So unless you have a well ventilated hood where you need a rain catch to prevent your filter from getting soaked or a ram air system, I would just go with a drop in replacement filter. Just be careful when using KN filters when you clean and re-oil them. Too much oil on it will can foul up your MAF sensor negating that extra horse power and gas mileage you were getting. My opinion this you will see most improvement on in gas mileage and throttle response for the money for what you are looking at.
As far as aftermarket exhaust goes if you get too big a diamater in pipe you will loose horsepower. You sould only have to go bigger if you have a boosted engine where the gasses have a reason to need to exit quicker with the added heat. My experience with exhaust systems is they hurt my gas mileage due to I like the deeper sound so much I have a tendency to get on the gas more. As far of improving the gas mileage they say it does but I cant prove or disprove it without a dyno. I grabbed an exert from Magnaflo.com to help you with your size delima.
My opinion is reprogramming your ECU should be done only after you've done all the upgrading on parts for awhile. I prefer paying someone for a custom tune to your car. If you do get one I suggest one that will let you change your shift points as well. When I had my accord tuned it wasn't for fuel efficiency. So no experience on that I can throw my 2 cents on.
As far as aftermarket exhaust goes if you get too big a diamater in pipe you will loose horsepower. You sould only have to go bigger if you have a boosted engine where the gasses have a reason to need to exit quicker with the added heat. My experience with exhaust systems is they hurt my gas mileage due to I like the deeper sound so much I have a tendency to get on the gas more. As far of improving the gas mileage they say it does but I cant prove or disprove it without a dyno. I grabbed an exert from Magnaflo.com to help you with your size delima.
To reduce additional backpressure, the OEM exhaust tubing can be replaced with madrel-bent tubing of the same size or one size up from the OEM. As a general rule, you can enlarge the pipe diameter of your OEM exhaust system by 1/4- to 1/2-inch to increase your horsepower. However, any additional increase in pipe diameter is likely to decrease your performance; specifically, low end torque. |
Bigger is not always better. |
| Muffler Inlet / Outlet Size | |||
| Engine Size | Horsepower | Single Exhaust | Dual Exhaust |
150-200 CID | 100 to 150 | 2" to 2-1/4" | 2" |
200-250 CID | 100 to 200 | 2-1/4" to 2-1/2" | 2" to 2-1/4" |
250-300 CID | 150 to 250 | 2-1/2" to 3" | 2" to 2-1/2" |
300-350 CID | 200 to 350 | 2-1/2" to 3" | 2-1/4" to 2-1/2" |
350-400 CID | 250 to 550 | 3" to 4" | 2-1/2" to 3" |
Use as a general guide for engine size and performance. |
My opinion is reprogramming your ECU should be done only after you've done all the upgrading on parts for awhile. I prefer paying someone for a custom tune to your car. If you do get one I suggest one that will let you change your shift points as well. When I had my accord tuned it wasn't for fuel efficiency. So no experience on that I can throw my 2 cents on.
