I read a lot about the K&N Air Filter at Miata.net, so I decided to give it a shot. I am skipping the whole technical discussion of what it is and what it does, as this topic is covered much more competently (and by people who know a lot more than I do about air filters) in the Miata forum. In a nutshell, the better the airflow, the better the performance of the engine, and this filter is designed to improve airflow, with the added benefit of not having to be replaced every 15,000 miles.
What I really wanted to know was... could I install it myself? Oh my god, it requires me to... OPEN THE HOOD! Not being mechanically inclined at all, I was a bit apprehensive. But if you are like me, then this mod is a piece of cake.
I ordered my filter from The Dealer Alternative on 8/8/00 via UPS Second Day Air. I got it on 8/10/00. No complaints here.
The filter was oddly packaged though. It looks like they took a big box and wrapped it around the filter and secured it with tape. The box was a K&N Filter box, but apparently for another model or something, as it was much bigger. I also did not receive the big STOP sticker you are supposed to stick on the air filter box. I only got a smaller sticker that said "K&N Filter Charger". I have seen a couple of other pictures of K&N filter installs, and I am missing a sticker. No big deal.
8/11/00 UPDATE: I was walking down the hall at work and I saw a K&N STOP sticker stuck on a piece of paper on the wall. I must have dropped it one the floor as I unpacked the filter, and some "genius" thought it would be cute to stick it on his sign. Geez.
The filter was sealed inside a plastic bag, as it has oil all over it from the factory. This I presume is to ensure a nice fit and seal inside the air filter box.
When you open the hood, you will see the air filter box directly in front of you, a little bit to your right.
The box has a hose coming out of it going across the front of the engine. It is held in place by two (2) small clips on the left hand side of the box. Open the clips by putting a little bit of pressure on them.
You will notice that the box is held by two small hinges on the right hand side which come off easily when the clips are removed.
You can pull the top of the air filter box up, and voila! there is the factory filter. Simply pull that filter out, as it should not be held in place by anything at this point.
Notice how the filter is placed in the box, as that is the same way the K&N filter will be literally "dropped in". Once the K&N filter is in place, make sure all the edges of the filter are neatly fitted inside the air box.
Put the top of the box back on, first by inserting the right side into the latches, and then the left side by putting the clips you removed back on. The box should fit back in nicely, without having to force it. If you can't get it back on, check to make sure the filter is fitted properly inside the box. Forcing the air box closed with a lip of the filter sticking out is a bad idea - this will prevent the air box from sealing properly and will not be a good thing. Trust me.
Is it closed yet? Good.
Take the sticker you got with the filter and put it on top of the air filter box. This will alert your maintenance techs not to replace the filter.
Done! Piece of cake! I am now ready to install a Supercharger all by myself! (Maybe not... :)
