K&n Fpik W/ssra??
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 989
From: Rochester, NY
I did a lot of research and actually purchased a FIPK II from LM performance. I then switched to Lid/SSRA because I realised dyno numbers are not as important as real world feel. Especially with an A4 since we can dyno less but ET higher via higher stall torque converters. So I experienced both and for city driving I liked the FIPK but for HWY it was no contest.
When I did a search on FIPK I found some gained 18-22 rwhp but others only gained 12-14 rwhp. It wasn't always consistant. Why that is I have no idea, I'm just going by what others have claimed. So it's not a "fact" that the FIPK is gonna out perform the other. Some do and some don't. Not everyone got 22 rwhp.
But if you sealed everything properly then the ARA (and now they have a track scoop that's bigger but too low for the street) will get enough air to outperform the FIPK at high rates of speed. Lots of people did claim that the FIPK by itself raised the IAT temperatures. I read a few posts where people claimed when they saw the jump they ripped it out and went back to a lid.
But unless you live in arizona or something it's likely not that big a deal since it runs fine when the car is in motion.
As far as filters go I say do NOT buy a aftermarket filter. The maintenance is not worth it. It's proven there are no gains over paper filters. So I say to the lid guys don't bother with K & N or Holly. Just get the disposable five dollar filter once every other month or so. It works just as well and is less hassle.
The problem with winters is the salt off the road builds up on your window. But this can happen even when it's not snowing hard. When it snows good you treat it like rain and block it off but when it's not snowing or just a light dusting then it's ok for the SSRA to be open and running. You just may have to clean/replace the filter a little more often.
If the FIPK was a superior choice in every aspect then it would be a fact and everyone and thier uncle would have one. But the fact is more people run a lid then FIPK. Just read all the sigs here and you'll see what I mean. There must be a reason and it's not that we are all stupid.
Both setups have concessions but both offer gains in different areas. FIPK offers better dyno numbers in most cases and better low end response. Lid/ssra offers decent low end but better high end response. Both have thier followers and critics.
At 130 MPH I could and did tell that the SSRA was better but then again how often does a person go 130 mph? Then it comes down to looks and whether you can live without the winshield washer fluid.
When I did a search on FIPK I found some gained 18-22 rwhp but others only gained 12-14 rwhp. It wasn't always consistant. Why that is I have no idea, I'm just going by what others have claimed. So it's not a "fact" that the FIPK is gonna out perform the other. Some do and some don't. Not everyone got 22 rwhp.
But if you sealed everything properly then the ARA (and now they have a track scoop that's bigger but too low for the street) will get enough air to outperform the FIPK at high rates of speed. Lots of people did claim that the FIPK by itself raised the IAT temperatures. I read a few posts where people claimed when they saw the jump they ripped it out and went back to a lid.
But unless you live in arizona or something it's likely not that big a deal since it runs fine when the car is in motion.
As far as filters go I say do NOT buy a aftermarket filter. The maintenance is not worth it. It's proven there are no gains over paper filters. So I say to the lid guys don't bother with K & N or Holly. Just get the disposable five dollar filter once every other month or so. It works just as well and is less hassle.
The problem with winters is the salt off the road builds up on your window. But this can happen even when it's not snowing hard. When it snows good you treat it like rain and block it off but when it's not snowing or just a light dusting then it's ok for the SSRA to be open and running. You just may have to clean/replace the filter a little more often.
If the FIPK was a superior choice in every aspect then it would be a fact and everyone and thier uncle would have one. But the fact is more people run a lid then FIPK. Just read all the sigs here and you'll see what I mean. There must be a reason and it's not that we are all stupid.
Both setups have concessions but both offer gains in different areas. FIPK offers better dyno numbers in most cases and better low end response. Lid/ssra offers decent low end but better high end response. Both have thier followers and critics.
At 130 MPH I could and did tell that the SSRA was better but then again how often does a person go 130 mph? Then it comes down to looks and whether you can live without the winshield washer fluid.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 382
From: Cypress, Orange County CA.
Originally posted by darrens99formul
I did a lot of research and actually purchased a FIPK II from LM performance. I then switched to Lid/SSRA because I realised dyno numbers are not as important as real world feel. Especially with an A4 since we can dyno less but ET higher via higher stall torque converters. So I experienced both and for city driving I liked the FIPK but for HWY it was no contest.
When I did a search on FIPK I found some gained 18-22 rwhp but others only gained 12-14 rwhp. It wasn't always consistant. Why that is I have no idea, I'm just going by what others have claimed. So it's not a "fact" that the FIPK is gonna out perform the other. Some do and some don't. Not everyone got 22 rwhp.
But if you sealed everything properly then the ARA (and now they have a track scoop that's bigger but too low for the street) will get enough air to outperform the FIPK at high rates of speed. Lots of people did claim that the FIPK by itself raised the IAT temperatures. I read a few posts where people claimed when they saw the jump they ripped it out and went back to a lid.
But unless you live in arizona or something it's likely not that big a deal since it runs fine when the car is in motion.
As far as filters go I say do NOT buy a aftermarket filter. The maintenance is not worth it. It's proven there are no gains over paper filters. So I say to the lid guys don't bother with K & N or Holly. Just get the disposable five dollar filter once every other month or so. It works just as well and is less hassle.
The problem with winters is the salt off the road builds up on your window. But this can happen even when it's not snowing hard. When it snows good you treat it like rain and block it off but when it's not snowing or just a light dusting then it's ok for the SSRA to be open and running. You just may have to clean/replace the filter a little more often.
If the FIPK was a superior choice in every aspect then it would be a fact and everyone and thier uncle would have one. But the fact is more people run a lid then FIPK. Just read all the sigs here and you'll see what I mean. There must be a reason and it's not that we are all stupid.
Both setups have concessions but both offer gains in different areas. FIPK offers better dyno numbers in most cases and better low end response. Lid/ssra offers decent low end but better high end response. Both have thier followers and critics.
At 130 MPH I could and did tell that the SSRA was better but then again how often does a person go 130 mph? Then it comes down to looks and whether you can live without the winshield washer fluid.
I did a lot of research and actually purchased a FIPK II from LM performance. I then switched to Lid/SSRA because I realised dyno numbers are not as important as real world feel. Especially with an A4 since we can dyno less but ET higher via higher stall torque converters. So I experienced both and for city driving I liked the FIPK but for HWY it was no contest.
When I did a search on FIPK I found some gained 18-22 rwhp but others only gained 12-14 rwhp. It wasn't always consistant. Why that is I have no idea, I'm just going by what others have claimed. So it's not a "fact" that the FIPK is gonna out perform the other. Some do and some don't. Not everyone got 22 rwhp.
But if you sealed everything properly then the ARA (and now they have a track scoop that's bigger but too low for the street) will get enough air to outperform the FIPK at high rates of speed. Lots of people did claim that the FIPK by itself raised the IAT temperatures. I read a few posts where people claimed when they saw the jump they ripped it out and went back to a lid.
But unless you live in arizona or something it's likely not that big a deal since it runs fine when the car is in motion.
As far as filters go I say do NOT buy a aftermarket filter. The maintenance is not worth it. It's proven there are no gains over paper filters. So I say to the lid guys don't bother with K & N or Holly. Just get the disposable five dollar filter once every other month or so. It works just as well and is less hassle.
The problem with winters is the salt off the road builds up on your window. But this can happen even when it's not snowing hard. When it snows good you treat it like rain and block it off but when it's not snowing or just a light dusting then it's ok for the SSRA to be open and running. You just may have to clean/replace the filter a little more often.
If the FIPK was a superior choice in every aspect then it would be a fact and everyone and thier uncle would have one. But the fact is more people run a lid then FIPK. Just read all the sigs here and you'll see what I mean. There must be a reason and it's not that we are all stupid.
Both setups have concessions but both offer gains in different areas. FIPK offers better dyno numbers in most cases and better low end response. Lid/ssra offers decent low end but better high end response. Both have thier followers and critics.
At 130 MPH I could and did tell that the SSRA was better but then again how often does a person go 130 mph? Then it comes down to looks and whether you can live without the winshield washer fluid.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 76
From: Fresno, California
Just wonder if there is some instructions on how to take out the washer bottle. How many bolts are there and where are they. And do you guys do it from the top or from the bottom. I tried searching but couldn't find any info.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 139
From: Charleston SC
When I bought My 02 Z28 M6 a coupla weeks ago it had the K&N FIPK installed and I was all happy with it. But after reading posts about people prefering the lid setups I'm starting to wonder.
Also in short would I benefit by removing my washer fluid bottle??
How bout a SLP Ultra Z hood??
Thanks
Also in short would I benefit by removing my washer fluid bottle??
How bout a SLP Ultra Z hood??
Thanks
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 989
From: Rochester, NY
Originally posted by Rice Eater 316
When I bought My 02 Z28 M6 a coupla weeks ago it had the K&N FIPK installed and I was all happy with it. But after reading posts about people prefering the lid setups I'm starting to wonder.
Also in short would I benefit by removing my washer fluid bottle??
How bout a SLP Ultra Z hood??
Thanks
When I bought My 02 Z28 M6 a coupla weeks ago it had the K&N FIPK installed and I was all happy with it. But after reading posts about people prefering the lid setups I'm starting to wonder.
Also in short would I benefit by removing my washer fluid bottle??
How bout a SLP Ultra Z hood??
Thanks
Good Luck
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 144
From: Birmingham, AL
the ultra Z hood is sweet! to bad it cost over $650 
and then ya gotta paint it
i live in alabama and we see a fair amount of rain (worried about hydrolocking) and alot of construction crap on the road (dust/dirt/grime) so i use my washer fluid alot
i decided to go with the lid + ARA (comming soon) although my car sees highway miles about once everyother weekend :**( o well.. i think its "looks cool"
/tek.
and then ya gotta paint it i live in alabama and we see a fair amount of rain (worried about hydrolocking) and alot of construction crap on the road (dust/dirt/grime) so i use my washer fluid alot
i decided to go with the lid + ARA (comming soon) although my car sees highway miles about once everyother weekend :**( o well.. i think its "looks cool" /tek.
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