K and M Systems

Topic: K and M Systems (Read 858 times) previous topic - next topic

K and M Systems

March 23, 2012, 09:45:42 am

Good Morning
I'm at the Good Sam Rally in Phoenix, My 1995 U300 with The Cat 3176 has a failing exhaust system, getting bad but not gone yet.
Anyway the K & M guys claim by replacing the air filter and installing their exhaust system it will improve power and give me 1 to 2 mpg better does anyone have a K& M System on their coach?

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #1 – March 23, 2012, 10:34:13 am

Don't have and always wonder about K & M air filters. My thoughts were if it has less restriction, does it not also have to have less filtration? Bad air filters, or less filtration, has to be the start of bad things getting into the engine.

I read that a new air filter is not cleaning the air as much as one that has some use. Sort of like my DE filter on the pool, the grids work with the DE powder to filter the smaller particles.

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #2 – March 23, 2012, 10:36:35 am

Would be very interested in the response to your questions as my 1995 U300 also has the Cat 3176.

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #3 – March 23, 2012, 10:40:36 am

It is K&N filters.

First, in writing, Caterpillar (and likely Cummins, etc) recommend against them. They can let in more air, but at the cost of more dirt as well.

Before anyone can tell you what improvement it will make, they need to evaluate your current air filter system. What is your air filter minder reading with a new OE filter? How old is the filter and what is current reading?

BTW, I am not aware of ANY mods that will improve MPG 10-20%! If there were, they would be OE.

And, though off the subject, as this is your first post with this engine: The Caterpillar 3176 is EXTREMELY sensitive to coolant condition. It has an aluminum spacer between head (iron) and block (iron). If coolant is properly changed and maintained (SCA if regular low silicate for diesel coolant) NO PROBLEM. But, if coolant is neglected electrolysis can occur, with the aluminum spacer turning to Swiss cheese as it serves as the anode to "protect" the block and head.

Brett

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #4 – March 23, 2012, 11:11:46 am

Is this K&N or K&M? Never consider a K&N filter on anything but a race car. The factory Donaldson or baldmin filters flow fine - some coaches can benefit greatly from an intake piping redesign.

You Cat will benefit from a low restriction exhaust just as well as the Cummins does. You should find an exhaust shop that routinely does 5" diesel exhausts. Cut the stock muffler out and slip in a resonator like the Walker. You will gain very little more over that from a complete system - but you'll pay an exorbitant price...

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #5 – March 23, 2012, 11:53:42 am

I'm going to assume K&N, and there's some good discussion here K&N air filter

Not a fan and wouldn't put one in any of our vehicles.

Michelle

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #6 – March 23, 2012, 12:40:33 pm

I searched K&N Filter (K&N High Performance Air Filters, Air Intakes, & Oil Filters) with no luck. But I did find this article: "K&N Exhaust System - PickUp Power (K&N Exhaust System - Super Chevy Magazine) . That article is dated 2001, but does refer to K&N Engineering which is K&N Filters. Do not know what I can not find it listed in the K&N filter site. And I agree with other who posted before me - I am not a fan of K&N either. And I know several dirt track race car owners, and a big block race engine builder, who have tried K&N and will tell you that they allow dirt into you engine and will cause a premature early engine death.

But if you need a new exhaust system for your on your Fortravel's engine, just do a search on this forum. You need not go further, and the answer is already here.

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #7 – March 23, 2012, 02:43:58 pm

FWIW, I have also a 7.3L ford diesel truck. Several years ago put one (K&N filter) on it. I could not appreciate any at all difference in mpg or in performance. At the time it was still under warranty. The warranty could have been an issue with the replacement (K&N). Sooo... after some disappointment on the increased cost for the filter, possible reduction/elimination (?) of warranty, no appreciable improvement in anything.... went back to standard filters. I would not spend the money again for the ford or the foretravel for those filters.

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #8 – March 23, 2012, 02:44:38 pm

I am with Wolfe10 on this one.
The K&N air filter system sure will give you a little more HP, BUT it is short lifed as the dirt that goes thru the K&N filter will wipe out your engine in short order.
Have a customer who removed his paper filter system, installed the K&N because it did not stop up like the paper filter did. within 6 months, his 8V-71 had very little compression. (No Surprise at all)
So if you only want HP and like to have a new engine, go get the K&N, you will be very happy for a short time.
This subject has been gone on & on for good while.
Enjoy
Dave M

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #9 – March 23, 2012, 02:48:00 pm

I spent several years racing stock cars with engines by Bob Joehnck (Vic Edlebrock, Bob Bondurant) on asphalt tracks. He always insisted on a large paper element on the Holly rather than any K&N or other air cleaner. Bob and Vic were the guys behind the "high rise" intake manifold back in the old days and had lots of experience making a racing engine last under severe conditions. I got many lectures on keeping the big filter in place.

Any car racers out there? Go to the new film "Driver" Drive (2011) - IMDb to get a one minute look at my home track (Saugus Speedway) on Saturdays.

Pierce

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #10 – March 23, 2012, 11:48:37 pm

The resonator is a great upgrade. Better milage and more power. Stay away from the K and N...

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #11 – March 24, 2012, 08:32:01 am

Quote from: John S – March 23, 2012, 11:48:37 pm

The resonator is a great upgrade. Better milage and more power. Stay away from the K and N...

That's right. Also, far cheaper than a K&N is a simple piece of window screen placed across your air intake, eliminating the restrictive air filter. Works about the same as a K&N and costs even less.

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

K and M Systems

March 23, 2012, 09:45:42 am

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #1 – March 23, 2012, 10:34:13 am

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #2 – March 23, 2012, 10:36:35 am

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #3 – March 23, 2012, 10:40:36 am

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #4 – March 23, 2012, 11:11:46 am

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #5 – March 23, 2012, 11:53:42 am

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #6 – March 23, 2012, 12:40:33 pm

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #7 – March 23, 2012, 02:43:58 pm

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #8 – March 23, 2012, 02:44:38 pm

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #9 – March 23, 2012, 02:48:00 pm

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #10 – March 23, 2012, 11:48:37 pm

Re: K and M Systems

Reply #11 – March 24, 2012, 08:32:01 am

Affiliate Notice