K&N air filter

[Steve Waddington]

So I finally got around to inspecting my air filter, and it was just disgusting! Clogged and filthy... and when I removed it I had to vacuum all this crap out of the air box!

Cleaned that up and installed a K&N air filter into the stock air box. What a difference in performance! (Partly due to the engineering behind the better-flowing K&N, and partly due to the clogged and choking old paper POS.)

I’m surprised it ran as good as it did before the change! But man, I can really feel the difference now! A bit pricey, compared to ACDelco or Wix, but def worth it!

 

[Doubeleive]

So I finally got around to inspecting my air filter, and it was just disgusting! Clogged and filthy... and when I removed it I had to vacuum all this crap out of the air box!

Cleaned that up and installed a K&N air filter into the stock air box. What a difference in performance! (Partly due to the engineering behind the better-flowing K&N, and partly due to the clogged and choking old paper POS.)

I’m surprised it ran as good as it did before the change! But man, I can really feel the difference now! A bit pricey, compared to ACDelco or Wix, but def worth it!

if you had a lot of crap behind the air filter you might want to go in and change you cabin air filter (if equipped) when I did mine on my 00 it was the same scenario, it was nasty dirty clogged up and had leaves and dirt behind it, changed it and wow what a difference in the a/c air!

 

[Steve Waddington]

Oh how I wish I could!!! Apparently, on the 03, they changed it so that you can’t get to the cabin air filter (if there even is one) without taking a sawzall under the dash! That’s the first thing I wanted to do when I got it. I was having trouble trying to find the replacement filter, so I finally called a dealer who told me... sorry! In doing some online research, I found a lot of people who are not happy about not being able to replace the filter.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Oh how I wish I could!!! Apparently, on the 03, they changed it so that you can’t get to the cabin air filter (if there even is one) without taking a sawzall under the dash! That’s the first thing I wanted to do when I got it. I was having trouble trying to find the replacement filter, so I finally called a dealer who told me... sorry! In doing some online research, I found a lot of people who are not happy about not being able to replace the filter.

You can add one by cutting a slot in there. I think there's a how to somewhere on the forums, even on youtube.

 

[915_Tahoe]

GM# 11589012 BOLT QTY.1 $2.79
GM# 52494070 CABIN COVER QTY.1 $16.91

THESE PART #'S ARE FROM 99-02, SHOULD BE THE SAME FOR 03-06. THERE SHOULD BE A PLATE THAT YOU CUT OUT AND A HOLE FOR THE BOLT TO HOLD DOWN THE COVER.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Oh how I wish I could!!! Apparently, on the 03, they changed it so that you can’t get to the cabin air filter (if there even is one) without taking a sawzall under the dash! That’s the first thing I wanted to do when I got it. I was having trouble trying to find the replacement filter, so I finally called a dealer who told me... sorry! In doing some online research, I found a lot of people who are not happy about not being able to replace the filter.

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-259-201-Carbon-Cabin-Filter/dp/B00NF1SK1M

 

[Steve Waddington]

Interesting thread from this very forum back in 2011.
The 03 and up does not even have a cabin filter.
Whose bright idea was THAT?

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/cabin-air-filter-where-is-it.26947/

 

[Steve Waddington]

You can add one by cutting a slot in there. I think there's a how to somewhere on the forums, even on youtube.

Would LOVE to see that!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Would LOVE to see that!

Look at my link two posts up.

 

[Steve Waddington]

Look what I found!

I’m going to try this.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Look what I found!

I’m going to try this.

Lol. Are you reading the thread?!

 

[Steve Waddington]

Lol. Are you reading the thread?!

Yes I am! You posted the exact part, thank you, and I just wanted to find this video that shows exactly how to, that’s all.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Yes I am! You posted the exact part, thank you, and I just wanted to find this video that shows exactly how to, that’s all.

Just busting chops! Easy mod. Do it.

 

[adriver]

So I finally got around to inspecting my air filter, and it was just disgusting! Clogged and filthy... and when I removed it I had to vacuum all this crap out of the air box!

Cleaned that up and installed a K&N air filter into the stock air box. What a difference in performance! (Partly due to the engineering behind the better-flowing K&N, and partly due to the clogged and choking old paper POS.)

I’m surprised it ran as good as it did before the change! But man, I can really feel the difference now! A bit pricey, compared to ACDelco or Wix, but def worth it!

If your filter was that dirty, any new air filter would make a noticeable improvement. Last K&N I looked at had the largest allowed filtered debris at .03 micron. I'm in Phoenix, AZ where we get dust storms for about a week, twice a year. Its the dust off the farms (manure, pesticides, and fine dust), that is .01 micron. If you ever get caught in a dust storm here, you should blow our your air filter as soon as you can afterwards if you get caught in one. It leaves a thin layer of fine powder over everything that I don't want entering my engine. Its why I won't/can't use K&N.

 

[swathdiver]

I've been using K&N filters for over thirty years. Every new car got one, including this truck. Then I came across some posts about them not delivering any more air in the stock airbox than paper. Nothing noticeable anyway. Switched to a high capacity paper filter and noticed no difference in performance. Next time at the drags I'll bring it along and make some runs for a comparison.

 

[Steve Waddington]

Yeah, the one I pulled out was so dirty, anything would have been a noticeable improvement! The main advantage would be the ability to wash it out and re-oil when necessary . As far as airflow numbers, I assume they are pretty good, maybe not the best, as Swathdiver points out, and maybe they don’t filter out .01 microns as adriver says, but for here in So Cal it should be ok.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

If your filter was that dirty, any new air filter would make a noticeable improvement. Last K&N I looked at had the largest allowed filtered debris at .03 micron. I'm in Phoenix, AZ where we get dust storms for about a week, twice a year. Its the dust off the farms (manure, pesticides, and fine dust), that is .01 micron. If you ever get caught in a dust storm here, you should blow our your air filter as soon as you can afterwards if you get caught in one. It leaves a thin layer of fine powder over everything that I don't want entering my engine. Its why I won't/can't use K&N.

Not being a jack, but I don't buy those numbers for a second. My medical customers filter to 0.2 microns to grab human cells. Ain't no way your trucks air filter goes down to hundredths of a micron.

 

[adriver]

Not being a jack, but I don't buy those numbers for a second. My medical customers filter to 0.2 microns to grab human cells. Ain't no way your trucks air filter goes down to hundredths of a micron.

You're good. I could definitely be off, my memory is not always perfect. It could be .3 and .1 micron. I know I got the 3 and 1 right, and the K&N won't filter the dust storms here.

 

[Lt Belspur]

Just a question on the K&N.

Wasn't there an issue with the over-oiled filters messing up the map sensor?

I used a K&N in my previous 2002 Z-71 without issue.

I use a Fram filter in my 2016 Z-71. would like to use a better filter.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Just a question on the K&N.

Wasn't there an issue with the over-oiled filters messing up the map sensor?

I used a K&N in my previous 2002 Z-71 without issue.

I use a Fram filter in my 2016 Z-71. would like to use a better filter.

Yes. Over oiled filters will cause problems with any MAF sensor. I prefer a dry high flow filter in the stock air box. AFE and Airaid are good choices.