Latest News

K&N®-Sponsored Drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. Set for a Strong 2018 Season

Vaughn Gittin Jr. is a drifting powerhouse with a lead foot—and he isn’t ashamed to admit it. Each new season brings new faces and fresh cars to Formula Drift, but Gittin Jr.—a Formula Drift veteran—continues to draw enthusiastic and loyal fans. Watching him compete, it isn’t difficult to see why.

Gittin Jr.'s Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Racing Mustang

Gittin Jr.'s Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Racing Mustang

Gittin Jr. started his Formula Drift career during the series’ inaugural year in 2004, and has been a serious FD contender ever since. He started out racing his personal Nissan S13, but caught the attention of Ford Racing in 2009, which has spawned a long-lasting partnership. In 2010, Ford launched the Mustang RTR—a dealer-installed package that quickly gained popularity—in collaboration with Gittin Jr., who went on to win the Formula Drift Championship that year.

He currently races the Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Racing Mustang, which features a 1000-horsepower, 9000-rpm engine built collaboratively by Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines. The vehicle itself is dramatic and imposing—the vibrant green styling is unmistakable on the track—much like Gittin Jr. himself.

Gittin Jr. at Long Beach in 2018

Gittin Jr. at Long Beach in 2018

The Mustang features a custom K&N® performance filter—which utilizes the same technology as K&N® High-Flow Air Filters™, available online for thousands of makes and models at www.knfilters.com. “I’ve been working with K&N on an official level for fifteen years now,” he commented. “But prior to that, I ran K&N [products] on my first car that I used to race in industrial parks and parking lots. That started my love for K&N. It’s an honor, fifteen years later, to still be working with them.”

Vaughn Gittin Jr. posing with a fan

Gittin Jr. is known for his enthusiasm for Formula Drift fans

Part of the magic of Formula Drift is the intensity—the nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat speed—and Gittin Jr. doesn’t hesitate to push the envelope. Hurtling down the track, his speedometer often creeps above the triple digits—while drifting sideways. And yet, while he still references himself as a professional “fun haver”, he has the tightly-honed skill and precision to place his tires exactly where he wants them—careening around turns with exactness at stomach-dropping speeds. It takes nerves of steel, and after fifteen years as a competitor, he has certainly proven his.

Gittin Jr.'s Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Racing Mustang

The custom Mustang is easily recognizable on the track

Gittin Jr. has an impressive list of wins—he has three World Drift Series Championships under his belt (2011, 2012, and 2013), and is the only American to win two D1 Grand Prix events. In 2013, he was dubbed the Formula Drift Ace Driver of the Decade, honoring his participation in all ten seasons of the series and the most tandem victories of any other driver. He also owns RTR Motorsports (for which he races), based in Baltimore, Maryland. Still, after fifteen years as a top competitor, he shows no signs of slowing down. When questioned regarding the future of RTR Motorsports and his racing career, Gittin Jr. was optimistic, and eager to shower praise on his team’s newest member—Chelsea DeNofa, who joined RTR last year.

The Mustang RTR engine bay

The Mustang RTR features a custom K&N performance filter

Gittin Jr. competed in Round 3 of Formula Drift at Road Atlanta this past weekend. “Road Atlanta is one of my favorite tracks—in fact, this is where Formula Drift started in 2004. The crowd’s amazing, and the track is super fast—we’re hitting about 105 mile-an-hour entry speeds here.” In anticipating the rest of the 2018 season, one thing’s certain—he’ll continue to deliver the high-speed, aggressive driving style that has made him a Formula Drift celebrity.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. will be appearing in Round 4 of the Formula Drift Pro Series at Wall Stadium Speedway in Wall Township, New Jersey on June 1-2.

K&N® Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Filters Offer Exceptional Engine Protection

There’s no getting around it—carbon deposits and contaminants in fuel can lead to a reduction in fuel economy, an increase in negative emissions, and a decrease in your vehicle’s performance. Fuel quality can be variable, but there’s one thing that you can definitely control—the quality of your fuel filter.

Poorly filtered fuel can cause rapid wear and/or build up on the intake valves and the fuel injectors—and can even clog carburetor jets. When an engine receives a high volume of deposits, the following issues may present themselves:

K&N PF-3000 canister-style diesel fuel filter

The K&N PF-3000 is an in-line diesel fuel filter

• Hesitation

• Knocking/pinging

• Rough idle

• Reduced fuel economy

• Higher emissions

When it comes to preventing expensive damage to your vehicle’s fuel delivery system, you need a high-quality line of defense. K&N® performance fuel filters are engineered to the same rigorous standards as the world-famous High-Flow Air Filters™, and feature durable construction, high flow rates, and outstanding filtration. A blend of cellulose and synthetic filtration media removes most rust, dirt, scale, and other contaminants—helping to keep your engine functioning reliably, even in the presence of polluted fuel.

K&N PF-4000 cartridge-style diesel filter

The K&N Diesel Fuel Filter PF-4000 is a cartridge-style diesel fuel filter

K&N® filters are available for a variety of gasoline and diesel cars and trucks and are designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications. To make installation easy, K&N® fuel filters are designed as direct replacements for factory filters, and require no modifications to the factory mounting system.

Whether you’re searching for gasoline or diesel applications or for an in-line or cartridge style, you can visit www.knfilters.com to locate the filter that fits your vehicle. High-quality materials and meticulous engineering allow for durability even under tough driving conditions, and with hard-wearing construction and a 1-Year Limited Warranty, you can feel confident in K&N’s reputation for superb quality and fantastic customer service.

K&N® has enjoyed a long partnership with O’Reilly Auto Parts, and is proud to announce that K&N® performance fuel filters will now be available at O’Reilly locations nationwide—making it convenient for you to pick up your replacement performance parts in-store at your nearest location or at www.knfilters.com! Whether you like to do your shopping in-store or from the comfort of your home, K&N® and O’Reilly have the fuel filter for you.

K&N® gasoline and diesel fuel filters are available now in-store at O’Reilly Auto Parts, or online at www.oreillyauto.com or www.knfilters.com!

Hot Wheels® Celebrates Five Decades with Custom Car Contest and “Legends Tour"

Hot Wheels® is hitting the pavement—combing the United States for custom cars worthy of being die-cast in 1/64 scale.

Cars lined up for the judges in the Walmart parking lot at the Kansas City event

Cars lined up for the judges in the Walmart parking lot at the Kansas City event

Few toy brands have maintained the passionate fan base that Hot Wheels has commanded over the decades, attracting both children and enthusiastic adult collectors alike with their imaginative and visionary designs. Many Hot Wheels enthusiasts have been collecting the toy cars since their launch in 1968—and now custom car owners have the chance to have their vehicle immortalized as a legendary Hot Wheels vehicle.

The first sixteen cars launched by Hot Wheels—known as “The Original Sweet 16”—included a custom Corvette, Mustang, and Firebird, and reflected the rich car culture of the late 1960s. Five decades later, Hot Wheels continues to value impeccable standards of design and performance—and is searching for cars that reflect their passion for ingenuity and creativity.

K&N’s custom-built Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang race car posing with the 1/64 Hot Wheels die-

K&N’s custom-built Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang race car posing with the 1/64 Hot Wheels die-cast

K&N® has enjoyed a long partnership with Hot Wheels, and in 2014, K&N’s custom-built Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang race car—which would later win the regional NASA American Iron Western States Championship in 2017—was die-cast in 1/64 scale and coveted by Hot Wheels collectors and K&N fans everywhere. A 1/50 scale Chase Custom 70 Plymouth Barracuda, complete with K&N graphics, also continues to be a popular Hot Wheels collectors’ item.

The Hot Wheels Legends Tour launched from Hot Wheels Headquarters in Los Angeles, and will be making stops at fourteen Walmart stores across the U.S.—including New York, Washington D.C., Kansas City, Nashville, Chicago, Seattle, and Phoenix. Each location will have its own suggested theme reflective of its automotive history—Detroit, for example, will have an “American Muscle” theme—though custom vehicles from all genres will be welcome to enter the contests held at each location.

K&N’s 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang race car Hot Wheels die-cast

K&N’s 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang race car immortalized as a Hot Wheels die-cast

At each event, judges—consisting of members of the Hot Wheels design team, automotive influencers, and Walmart Store Managers—will vote for the car that will be crowned part of the new “Sweet 16”, and the winners from each stop will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the finals at the 2018 SEMA auto show. The judging criteria includes authenticity (“Hot Wheels-ness”, as they call it), originality (they’ve manufactured tens of thousands of cars over the years!), and garage spirit (built—not bought).

At the kick-off event on April 28 at Hot Wheels Headquarters, a custom 1948 Ford F5 owned by Mitch Allread took the honor of being the first car inducted into the new “Sweet 16”. On May 5 in Kansas City, a powder-blue 1938 Dodge school bus, owned by Randy Roeber, was selected as the city’s finalist. Both will be competing for the ultimate prize at SEMA.

1938 Dodge school bus owned by Randy Roeber

This 1938 Dodge school bus owned by Randy Roeber won in Kansas City

For the first time in Hot Wheels long history, fans will be part of the vehicle selection process, and the grand prize winner will have their custom car made into a 1:64 scale die-cast car available for Hot Wheels fans to purchase globally.

The next Hot Wheels Legends Tour stop will be in New York/New Jersey on May 19, 2018, at the Walmart Supercenter in Teterboro.

K&N® 57-1570 Air Intake System for 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel

Designed to be compatible with 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L V6 turbocharged EcoDiesel models, the K&N® 57-1570 Air Intake System provides a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque for power-conscious Jeep owners.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel

The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L V6 turbo EcoDiesel engine offers 240 horsepower with a significant 420 lb-ft of torque, and a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,400 lbs. The new model also features an eight-speed automatic transmission, hill ascent control, and 21/28/24 mpg fuel economy. Owners benefit from the EcoDiesel engine’s superior torque and fuel economy when compared to traditional gasoline engines, and a near 730-mile range between fill-ups.

The 3.0L V6 turbo engine provides a modest amount of power, but is paired with a stock air intake system that may cause unnecessary air turbulence and slow the volume of airflow reaching the engine.

Image of air intake components

The 57-1570 features a powder-coated heat shield

The K&N 57-1570 air intake system is a free-flowing, high-density polyethylene tube air induction system engineered to replace the factory air filter and air intake housing. K&N roto-molded HDPE intake tubes are meticulously designed to be aerodynamic, and when paired with the included High-Flow Air Filter™ can increase airflow to your engine by up to 50%. The oversized conical air filter allows for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings under normal highway driving conditions, and is washable, durable, and reusable. When your filter is due for a cleaning, the K&N Recharger® Kit (99-5000) contains everything you’ll need to quickly and easily wash away contaminants and restore your filter’s performance.

The 57-1570 system also offers a black powder-coated aluminum heat shield, protecting the air filter and intake air from the high temperatures radiating from the engine. The air intake tube funnels airflow directly into the engine’s throttle body for a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque.

Engine bay after installation of the 57-1570

Engine bay after installation of the 57-1570

Installation of your new air intake system can typically be completed in 90 minutes or less, as the kit utilizes existing factory mounting points, incorporates the factory mass air sensor, and requires only basic hand tools. Since the intake system allows for the removal of unnecessary stock air intake components, your engine bay will be left with a cleaner appearance after installation.

The 57-1570 after installation

The 57-1570 after installation, featuring the K&N High-Flow Air Filter

The results are notable—on a chassis dynamometer, a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L V6 turbo EcoDiesel with the stock air intake was recorded at 204.65-hp at 2,900rpm, and after installation of the 57-1570 the same vehicle was recorded at 217.32-hp at 2,900rpm—an estimated increase of 12.67-hp. The torque was also improved from 348.34 lb-ft on the stock air intake to 379.28 lb-ft with the 57-1570—a total estimated increase in torque of 30.94 lb-ft at 2,600rpm. You can buy with confidence under the 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty—and the knowledge that you’re guaranteed an increase in horsepower and torque.

The 57-1570 is designed for use in the following vehicles:

2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L V6 Diesel Engine: All Models

FAQs

Will using a K&N® replacement air intake system void my factory warranty?

No. In the United States, in order for the manufacturer of a warranted product to void or deny warranty coverage of a repair due to the use of an aftermarket part, the manufacturer must provide proof that the aftermarket part is the cause of the necessary repair. These rights are protected under the Consumer Products Warranty Act of 1975 (also referred to as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act).

Are K&N® performance air intake systems or RK-series custom air cleaner assemblies emissions legal in the U.S.?

Performance intake systems are legal for street use in most areas of the United States.

In California, and in specific regions which have adopted California air quality regulations, only CARB-exempt performance intakes are legal for street use.

Check the K&N catalog or website for vehicle applications and specific CARB status for each vehicle and air intake.

Can a K&N® product cause my Check Engine Light or Service Light to come on?

It is possible that the Check Engine Light may come on after installing a K&N air filter or performance intake system. This does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with your air filter or intake; sometimes, the higher air flow and lower restriction provided by the K&N product will uncover an existing mechanical or electronic issue with your vehicle. In rare cases, you may have a K&N product which was manufactured outside of its design tolerances, causing sensors in your vehicle to read data outside of their normal expected values. In either case, the K&N Warranty Department can work with you to narrow down the cause of the Check Engine Light and correct the issue.

How much horsepower does a K&N® cold air intake add?

Dynamometer tests indicating horsepower and torque increases over the OEM intake system will appear on the "Product Details" page for each of our performance intake systems.

What does a cold air intake do for a car?

Cold air intakes allow for increased airflow to your engine, which results in an increase in torque and acceleration for your vehicle.

Can cold air intakes improve gas mileage?

In theory, a cold air intake could increase the gas mileage of your vehicle due to improved airflow which allows the engine to run more efficiently and require less fuel. However, K&N does not make any guarantees in terms of increased gas mileage with the use of our filters or intakes.

*Some intake systems are not legal for sale or use on any pollution controlled motor vehicle in California or states adopting California emission procedures. See knfilters.com for CARB status on each part for a specific vehicle.

K&N® 69-7084TS Air Intake System for 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60

Engineered for the 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L V6 and the 2017-2018 Infiniti QX60 3.5L V6 models, the K&N® 69-7084TS Air Intake System provides a marked increase in horsepower and torque for the performance-minded automotive enthusiast.

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder’s 3.5L Direct Injection Gasoline™ (DIG) DOHC 24-Valve V6 engine produces 284 horsepower (increased from 260-hp in previous models) with 259 lb-ft of torque, and a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 lbs. The new model also features an electronic variable timing control (e-VTC), automatic emergency breaking, and mirror bore cylinder coating.

Image of air intake components

The 69-7084TS features a High-Flow Air Filter with heat shield

The 2018 Infiniti QX60 features a 294-hp 3.5L V6 engine featuring a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with manual shift mode, 270 lb-ft of torque, and a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.

Both engines feature an abundance of power, but are manufactured with generic stock air intake systems that often direct airflow inefficiently, limiting the volume of air that reaches the engine.

2018 Nissan Pathfinder

2018 Nissan Pathfinder

The K&N 69-7084TS Typhoon Air Intake system is a free-flowing, mandrel-bent aluminum tube air induction system designed to replace the restrictive air filter and air intake housing. It is specifically engineered to be aerodynamic and allow a greater volume of airflow to reach the engine for increased performance.

The 69-7084TS system also features a custom powder-coated aluminum heat shield, protecting the air filter and intake air from the high temperatures radiating from the engine. The cold air intake tube funnels airflow directly into the engine’s throttle body for a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque.

Image of the 69-7084TS installed in a vehicle

The 69-7084TS after installation

Included in the kit is an oversized conical air filter (model RU-4600)—which only requires service once every 100,000 miles under normal highway driving conditions—and features K&N’s innovative design of layered, oiled cotton media to help shield your engine from dust, dirt, and other contaminants. Unlike disposable filters, which must be purchased on a regular basis, the K&N High-Flow Air Filter™ is washable, durable, and engineered to last for the life of your vehicle. When your filter is due for a cleaning, the K&N Recharger Kit (99-5000) contains everything you’ll need to quickly and easily remove build-up and restore your filter’s performance.

Installing your new cold air intake system is relatively simple and typically takes 90 minutes or less to complete, as the design utilizes existing factory mounting points, incorporates the factory mass air sensor and crank case vent hose, and requires only basic hand tools. Since the intake system allows for the removal of unnecessary stock air intake components, your engine bay will be left with a cleaner, more attractive appearance after installation.

The 69-7084TS with its accompanying box

The 69-7084TS with its accompanying box

The results are verifiable and impressive—on a chassis dynamometer, a 2017 Infiniti QX60 with the stock air intake was recorded at 212.1-hp at 6,000rpm, and after installation of the 69-7084TS the same vehicle was recorded at 220.9-hp at 6,000rpm—an estimated increase of almost 8-hp. The torque was also improved from 193.2 lb-ft on the stock air intake to 202.4 lb-ft with the 69-7084TS—a total estimated increase in torque of 9.2 lb-ft at 3,500rpm. You can buy with confidence under the 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty—and the knowledge that you’re guaranteed an increase in horsepower and torque.

The 69-7084TS is designed for use in the following vehicles:

2018 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection: All Models

2018 Infiniti QX60 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection: All Models

2017 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection: All Models

2017 Infiniti QX60 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection: All Model

FAQs

Will using a K&N® replacement air intake system void my factory warranty?

No. In the United States, in order for the manufacturer of a warranted product to void or deny warranty coverage of a repair due to the use of an aftermarket part, the manufacturer must provide proof that the aftermarket part is the cause of the necessary repair. These rights are protected under the Consumer Products Warranty Act of 1975 (also referred to as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act).

Are K&N® performance air intake systems or RK-series custom air cleaner assemblies emissions legal in the U.S.?

Performance intake systems are legal for street use in most areas of the United States.

In California, and in specific regions which have adopted California air quality regulations, only CARB-exempt performance intakes are legal for street use.

Check the K&N catalog or website for vehicle applications and specific CARB status for each vehicle and air intake.

Can a K&N® product cause my Check Engine Light or Service Light to come on?

It is possible that the Check Engine Light may come on after installing a K&N air filter or performance intake system. This does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with your air filter or intake; sometimes, the higher air flow and lower restriction provided by the K&N product will uncover an existing mechanical or electronic issue with your vehicle. In rare cases, you may have a K&N product which was manufactured outside of its design tolerances, causing sensors in your vehicle to read data outside of their normal expected values. In either case, the K&N Warranty Department can work with you to narrow down the cause of the Check Engine Light and correct the issue.

How much horsepower does a K&N® cold air intake add?

Dynamometer tests indicating horsepower and torque increases over the OEM intake system will appear on the "Product Details" page for each of our performance intake systems.

What does a cold air intake do for a car?

Cold air intakes allow for increased airflow to your engine, which results in an increase in torque and acceleration for your vehicle.

Can cold air intakes improve gas mileage?

In theory, a cold air intake could increase the gas mileage of your vehicle due to improved airflow which allows the engine to run more efficiently and require less fuel. However, K&N does not make any guarantees in terms of increased gas mileage with the use of our filters or intakes.

*Some intake systems are not legal for sale or use on any pollution controlled motor vehicle in California or states adopting California emission procedures. See knfilters.com for CARB status on each part for a specific vehicle.