What do you think of the K&N 57i kit for the Golf 3 TDI?

Hello,

I've been looking into sports air filters and came across the K&N 57i kit. I'm curious about what you all think of it. Does it actually increase power by 7-10 hp? And that's for my 90 PS TDI??
How about the sound? Is it harsh or pleasantly/tolerably sporty?
Who has experience??? Maybe there are also alternatives???
Thank you.

...please use this, where you can find extensive discussions on this topic.
In a nutshell, this project aims to {PROJECT_GOAL}. It will achieve this by {METHOD}. The expected outcome is {EXPECTED_OUTCOME}.
- Spend a few fewer coins in your wallet, for example, Problems with the TÜV
- possibly reduced performance if the air filter is positioned in a way that allows warm air from the engine compartment to be drawn in
- holds dirt better than a paper filter, especially in very humid/wet air, which logically leads to increased engine wear.
- Sound... hm, the terms of use state 'no hooligan modifications allowed !'

Hello, Rainer

Hello, I have tried the 57i kits in various petrol engines. They have always caused a loss of power and torque. The sound was great in the petrol engines, but according to all experiences, you will not get a good sound with the diesel. If you buy one, buy a sports air filter for the original air filter box, which works better in some speed ranges. But don't buy a K&N, buy a King Dragon, because at least it fits perfectly, is much better made, and also costs a few euros less. I think it is definitely the better choice (I have tried both).

Rainer K. wrote:

Please use the search function for sports air filters... you will find extensive discussions on this topic there.

It would be great if the search function also worked for the old forums. I just tried using the term "air filter," but it didn't work.
Or is there a trick I've overlooked again?

I've also noticed that the search function doesn't work at all!

or is there really a trick?

Hi

I have installed one of these kits myself, but I would now like to remove it.
Just wrote a post about it.
With my Golf III TDI (AFN), I have found:
-The car responds much more spontaneously to gas commands.
-Great sound (from snorting to hissing, a rumbling tone)
-no washing with rainwater (supposedly to suck up the filter debris into the system, but no dirt or contamination could be found before or after the LMM)
-After 60,000 km, the filter, after frequent cleaning and oiling, is like new.

Disadvantage:
-German TÜV certification not possible (the vehicle loses its ABE)
-NO EXTRA WORK!!! More likely a decrease in performance.
Problem is the air with lower oxygen levels and potential turbulence.

A better option would be a replacement filter, or perhaps the system that I described earlier.

Greetings
Michael

If you achieve more power due to a sports air filter, it's because of the higher air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber. The lambda sensor then detects a lean mixture and enriches it. So, more power but also higher fuel consumption if you use it. Simply, 'less resistance' does not necessarily mean 'more power.'
But this doesn't apply to a turbocharged engine, as the fuel level is determined by the turbocharger. ==> meaningless