| and K&N: what’s the difference (besides | | | | compact circles, thanks to one of the chief reasons |
| the typical car you see either company’s | | | | Injen intakes became popular to begin with: the look. |
| sticker on)? Sure, one has an unlimited reputation | | | | An engine with an Injen is unmistakable; not so much |
| across the auto world, and the other has become a | | | | the case with most K&N kits. |
| niche brand for sport compact racers and late-night | | | | K&N cold air intakes end up being the better fit for |
| automobile malfeasance. But, the differences between | | | | most drivers, though, because of the reputation of |
| Injen and K&N run much deeper than stickers and | | | | quality, performance, and endurance. But, another |
| followers. Read along to learn more. | | | | factor is a big reason why K&N gets picked by a |
| Scrape the brand labels off of a K&N intake and | | | | wide majority of drivers. While Injen deals solely in |
| an Injen intake, set them side-by-side, and it’s | | | | metal intakes, K&N makes their popular FIPK and |
| mighty difficult to tell them apart. There’s a | | | | 63 Series intake kits with crosslink plastic/nylon tubes. |
| mandrel-bent tube (probably metal). Also, a conical | | | | They’re not nearly as attractive, but they |
| cotton-gauze filter that’s washable and | | | | don’t need to be. The plastic intake tube |
| reusable. If you’re trying to pick between the | | | | substantially lowers the cost of the kit as a whole. And, |
| two for a quick upgrade project, this can cause quite a | | | | it keeps the incoming air cooler, and thus denser, |
| conundrum. | | | | providing more horsepower—all thanks to the |
| Telling apart the people who use K&N intakes and | | | | non-conductive material. A K&N that’s |
| K&N Cold Air Intakes isn’t quite as difficult. | | | | cheaper and more powerful is the clincher almost |
| Because K&N practically invented performance | | | | every time. |
| air induction and reusable cotton-gauze filtration, most | | | | When it comes to the filter on the end of your kit, |
| of the performance drivers you see on the road could | | | | K&N has been the undisputed king of filtration for |
| be using a K&N Cold Air Intake (or at least a | | | | more than 30 years. This is another key deciding point |
| K&N filter). You’ll see the logo on many a | | | | between the two intake brands, as K&N uses |
| bumper or back window when you’re cruising | | | | their own proven filter formula in every intake kit. Injen |
| the highway. The Injen guy, though, is almost always | | | | uses another company’s filters, but they |
| the miscreant buzzing by your bedroom window at | | | | won’t disclose who actually manufactures the |
| 1am, armed with a slick sport compact and | | | | filter. With K&N, you know what you get; with |
| Yuban-sized tailpipe. Picking your next intake based on | | | | Injen, you don’t. |
| which group best fits you isn’t a bad way to | | | | In the end, it comes down to how much looks and |
| decide between K&N and Injen. | | | | brand identity matter in your intake choice. If you want |
| That’s exactly how K&N would want you | | | | the can’t-miss kit for your project, K&N is |
| to pick—after all, most drivers fall into the broad | | | | the choice—hands down. If you value the |
| K&N crew with ease, and are quite satisfied with | | | | under-hood appearance factor most, or need to grasp |
| the move. Injen, though, touts its ability to bring new | | | | at some street cred (i.e., if you’re doing-up a |
| innovation and technology to the idea K&N | | | | Lancer), Injen is worth a long look. That puts about |
| pioneered, channeling a more tuned variety of intake | | | | 75% of drivers in the K&N camp. Were these the |
| performance into the manifold. And, they’re | | | | only two intake brands in the world, that number would |
| making moves to expand beyond the sport compact | | | | sound about right. Though they’re not, K&N |
| crowd, introducing tuned air boxes and a line of truck | | | | is still the overwhelming leader. |
| SUV air intakes. They’re still big in sport | | | | |