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In the early 1960s, two motorcycle racers—Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald—developed a ground-breaking new idea for an air filter that could perform under the demands of an off-road environment. After experimenting with many different types of filter media, they discovered that an oiled cotton design allowed the filter to not only capture dirt and contaminants very efficiently, but also allowed it to be washed and reused. Just like that, the original High-Flow Air Filter™ was born.

To this day, K&N continues to be an industry leader in filtration technology—and engineers each air filter for efficiency, capacity, durability, and airflow.

Maintaining the proper air-to-fuel ratio

Maintaining the proper air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) is critical for engine performance, and relates to the amount of air versus the amount of fuel used by an engine for combustion. A correct, stoichiometrically balanced AFR produces combustion with perfect efficiency, excluding other factors. For gasoline engines, the theoretically perfect chemical ratio is 14.7:1—14.7 parts air to one part fuel. In effect, this means that an engine requires almost fifteen times more air than fuel for efficient combustion—which emphasizes the importance of providing a high volume of air through an air filter.

How do engines produce power?

An internal combustion engine operates by burning a mixture of fuel and oxygen within the engine’s cylinders. A spark plug ignites the volatile gas, creating an explosion that forces the piston downward—turning the crankshaft. The piston-moving force that’s created during the combustion cycle is what produces horsepower.

Why not use a disposable paper air filter?

Typical paper filters can be very restrictive to airflow—note the lack of openings in the media

The four major elements of filtration

K&N designs every K&N filter to balance the four most critical elements of filtration: efficiency, capacity, durability, and airflow. Under normal circumstances, most automotive air filters demonstrate an inverse relationship between airflow and efficiency—the higher the airflow, the less efficient the air filter is at protecting the engine, and vice versa. Many filter companies claim that their filters capture 99% of contaminants (or more), but there’s a trade-off, as most filters designed to block almost all contaminants are likely to also block the majority of airflow—stifling your engine’s oxygen supply. A standard disposable paper filter exhibits a principle called surface loading—dust collects only on the surface of the media, which can provide a high level of contaminant capture/efficiency (the filter is mostly impermeable, which keeps dirt and contaminants from passing through to the engine) but a low level of airflow, reducing engine performance.

High-Flow Air Filters™ typically feature four or six layers of oiled cotton fabric

If I can see light through my air filter, does that mean that dirt is getting through too?

High-Flow Air Filters™ feature a pleated, oiled cotton media

While this erratic behavior might sound detrimental to filtration, it can actually be an advantage, as the smallest particles typically do not follow the main flow of air through the passageways in the filter; instead, their chaotic motion causes them to collide with microscopic fibers inside the filter media, where they are then trapped and held by the filter oil. In the media of a typical disposable paper filter, any particles that are smaller than the openings in the media will likely pass right through—but the tacky, sticky nature of K&N filter oil and the multi-layer media design of High-Flow Air Filters™ help capture contaminant particles that are much smaller than the openings/passageways within the filtration media.

Oiled fibers in the filter media of High-Flow Air Filters™ shown at 10x magnification

Can a K&N oiled air filter cause a mass airflow sensor to fail?

An unsubstantiated claim has circulated for many years saying that K&N oiled air filters can cause mass airflow sensors to fail. K&N has thoroughly investigated this claim, and has found no evidence to suggest that K&N filter oil is able to cause MAF sensor damage. In fact, over the past several years, K&N has compiled data regarding MAF sensors sent in by consumers and dealerships, which you can view here: MAF Sensor Test Results. In most cases, the MAF sensors were actually working as they should—which would be a perplexing result, if not for the fact that most dealerships are unable to test MAF sensors. K&N has yet to encounter a dealership with the test equipment necessary to determine whether or not an MAF sensor is functioning properly, which frequently leads to misdiagnosis. For this reason, in almost all cases, the diagnosis of a faulty MAF sensor is merely an educated—or sometimes uneducated—guess.

However, in response to consumer concerns, K&N performed extensive testing to determine whether or not filter oil could cause an MAF sensor to fail—going so far as to completely coat an MAF sensor in filter oil—and was not able to create a scenario in which the MAF sensor was damaged by the oil (you can view the procedure and results here: MAF Testing Results and Findings). In K&N’s study, of 437 sensors tested, 298 of them were actually functioning properly (68.19%)—indicating that misdiagnosis of MAF sensors is a frequent issue.

Of the sensors that were truly malfunctioning, approximately 33% demonstrated complete electronic failure, with 67% experiencing electrical variance. Of the latter category, over 36% were found to be manufacturer-contaminated with silicone. K&N filter oil was not found to be responsible for any of the sensor malfunctions.

DRYFLOW® non-oiled filter media

Dryflow® air filter feature lofted media (the red portion of the image)

K&N filter media types are designed for performance

K&N engineers each filter media type to provide performance for specific applications—for example, heavy diesel and outdoor power High-Flow Air Filters™ are designed with six layers of cotton that feature a particularly fine weave, which can provide an additional level of protection in demanding driving conditions. Synthetic, non-oiled Dryflow® filter media is incorporated into many heavy duty diesel filters, and a large, conical Dryflow® air filter is included with Blackhawk Induction™ intake systems. Many applications will have multiple filter options available, allowing you to select the filter type that fits your needs and preferences. If you have questions regarding filter types, please feel free to contact K&N’s customer service.

Join the millions of customers who trust K&N to provide performance and protection products for their vehicles. Visit the application search page to explore air filter options for your specific vehicle.

Designed to add performance to 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu 1.5L models, the 63-3106 K&N® performance air intake system offers a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque for Chevy Malibus—and features a washable, reusable High-Flow Air Filter™ to help protect against contaminants that can damage your engine. A specifically designed steel heat shield helps protect the air filter from high engine temperatures, which in turn can increase engine combustion efficiency.

The 63-3106 has a steel heat shield to help protect the filter from hot engine bay temperatures

K&N PERFORMANCE AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS BOOST HORSEPOWER

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

AERODYNAMIC INTAKE TUBE INCREASES AIRFLOW

Typical factory air intake systems force air through a restrictive disposable paper air filter before the air travels through a complex system of tubing. Multiple turns, bends, and baffles can significantly slow the flow of air to the engine.

The 63-3106 intake system features a free-flowing, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) intake tube, which is engineered to reduce turbulence in the air, keeping engine air cooler—and increasing engine performance! A radius adapter allows the filter to mount directly to the intake tube, which reduces hardware and helps increase ease of installation.

HIGH-FLOW AIR FILTER™ OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL PROTECTION

The 63-3106 for 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibus features a High-Flow Air Filter™

The High-Flow Air Filter™ included in the 63-3106 intake kit is oversized, providing a large amount of surface area and allowing for a service interval of up to 100,000 miles between cleanings (under normal highway driving conditions). When your filter does need to be cleaned, you can use the K&N Recharger® Kit (99-5000 or 99-5050) to quickly and easily restore your filter’s performance. Each K&N intake (and filter!) is designed to last for the life of your vehicle.

HEAT SHIELD HELPS PROTECT INTAKE AIR AND FILTER

The 63-3106 features a steel heat shield which helps protect the air filter—and filtered air—from the high temperatures of the engine bay. Since cold air is denser with oxygen molecules than hot air, keeping airflow cooler can help increase engine combustion efficiency.

K&N air intake systems come with a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty

INSTALLATION

The K&N 63-3106 intake system is engineered to incorporate factory mounting points and the factory mass air sensor. Installation can typically be completed in 90 minutes or less, and requires only basic hand tools. Detailed instructions are included in your kit, and installation videos for many vehicles are available on the K&N website.

Engineered to fit:

• 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1.5L L4 Fuel Injection All Models

• 2017 Chevrolet Malibu 1.5L L4 Fuel Injection All Models

• 2018 Chevrolet Malibu 1.5L L4 Fuel Injection All Models

WARRANTY

Each intake system comes with a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty. Installing a K&N replacement air intake system will not void your factory warranty; in the U.S., manufacturers must provide evidence that an aftermarket part is the cause of a necessary repair in order to void or deny warranty coverage. The Consumer Products Warranty Act of 1975 (also known as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) protects consumers’ rights to their warranty coverage.

DYNAMOMETER RESULTS

K&N performance air intake systems come with an industry-leading guarantee—you‘ll get an increase in horsepower and torque! During dynamometer testing, a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1.5L with a factory air intake system was recorded at 131.9-horsepower at 5491 RPM. After installation of 63-3106, the same vehicle was recorded at 140.4-horsepower at 5491 RPM—an estimated increase of 8.5-horsepower. The torque also jumped from 120.0 lb.-ft. to 124.5 lb.-ft.—an estimated increase of 4.5 lb.-ft. at 3156 RPM.

Horsepower gains vary among products and applications, but each K&N performance air intake system is designed to increase airflow efficiency for specific vehicles and their engines. Each kit undergoes significant testing to help ensure that the filter and intake tube are engineered to deliver large increases in airflow and horsepower. Please visit individual product pages to view horsepower estimates for your specific vehicle.

Visit this page to purchase the 63-3106 air intake system, or visit the vehicle application search to explore air intake system options for your vehicle. Join the millions of customers who trust K&N to help them boost performance and protection in their vehicles!

* This air intake cannot be sold in California. It is not legal for use in California or other states adopting California emission standards. Not legal for highway use in states adopting California emission regulations.

It was an emotional weekend for Florida resident Brian Forrester, who attended his 50th consecutive NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. He has been attending every year since 1969, when he was only four years old.

Larry and Brian (center) following Brian’s win in Super Gas in 2009

And just like that, a tradition was born. The Forrester family began attending Indy over Labor Day weekend every year, and did so for many years together. In 1977, Larry decided he was interested in racing himself, and began competing in bracket racing in Illinois. Due to his father's racing schedule, Brian's mother, Nancy, took him to Indy that year. "For her to take me that year was really cool," he said. "I would have never been able to make it to 50 if she hadn't done that for me." Brian also got the racing bug—going so far as to write in his high school yearbook that his dream was to win the nationals one day at Indianapolis. He began racing in the NHRA Super Gas category in 1989. From that year until 2010, Brian attended Indy every year as a competitor.

Brian earned a Super Gas national championship in 2008, and in 2009—after having been to the finals twice, once in Super Gas and once in Super Comp—Brian finally achieved his dream of winning at Indy in the Super Gas category. It was the win he had dreamed about since he was a child, and his father was there—cheering him on, just as he always had. Brian’s mother, Nancy, wasn’t able to attend—but surprised him by arranging for a limo to take him to the awards banquet. “She was so proud of Brian,” Larry said. “She cried for days, she was so happy for him.”

After finally achieving his dream, Brian decided to retire from racing in order to spend more time with his family—his wife, Robin, and their two children. “I give him credit for that,” Larry said, in reference to Brian’s choice to leave the sport. Brian continued working in the racing industry for some time, building racecars, before transitioning into a career at an automobile repair company. Still, without fail, he returned to Indy over Labor Day weekend each year.

Larry and Brian Forrester at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

And so, this past weekend was a watershed moment for both Larry and Brian—a landmark half a century in the making. “We definitely took advantage of every minute we were there,” commented Brian. “It was a wonderful weekend…it brought back so many memories,” added Larry. “I was very moved. I feel so blessed to have been able to do that with Brian, because we’ve spent so much time together. He’s my best friend. To share that experience with my son has been one of the highlights of my life.”