Spectre Performance vs K&N intake?

[SimmZ]

Hi,

I am in the process of purchasing an intake kit for my 2019 RAM 1500 Classic V6 and obviously there's way less options that for the HEMI. So in conclusion there's two options for the V6 and they are the Spectre Performance and the K&N intake. In Canada, the MSRP for the Spectre is 299$ CAD and the K&N is 499$ CAD. You can obviously get better discount by checking prices online, but this is not the point.

I first thought that the Spectre Performance intake is just a lower end product against the K&N, but then I discovered something very surprising; I found that the Spectre Performance website is actually hosted and managed by K&N and I also found that the customer service numbers and mailing address is the same for both Spectre Performance and K&N!

So my first conclusion is that the Spectre Performance CIE is a K&N rebrand. There's only a slight difference in design between the K&N and the Spectre Performance and this is the Spectre Performance only include the metal filter box that mount on the bottom part of the factory intake (plastic) when the K&N intake include a full metal box that completely replace the factory intake box. However the result of the air box assembled is the same shape. The tubing shape is a bit different, but you know, it's just a tube... and finally I feel pretty sure that the Spectre Performance include a K&N air filter.

The 200$ difference is totally surprising in the other hand and I am not sure how to explain it.


Any ideas?

SPECTRE PERFORMANCE INTAKE :



K&N INTAKE :

 

[Wild one]

Hi,

I am in the process of purchasing an intake kit for my 2019 RAM 1500 Classic V6 and obviously there's way less options that for the HEMI. So in conclusion there's two options for the V6 and they are the Spectre Performance and the K&N intake. In Canada, the MSRP for the Spectre is 299$ CAD and the K&N is 499$ CAD. You can obviously get better discount by checking prices online, but this is not the point.

I first thought that the Spectre Performance intake is just a lower end product against the K&N, but then I discovered something very surprising; I found that the Spectre Performance website is actually hosted and managed by K&N and I also found that the customer service numbers and mailing address is the same for both Spectre Performance and K&N!

So my first conclusion is that the Spectre Performance CIE is a K&N rebrand. There's only a slight difference in design between the K&N and the Spectre Performance and this is the Spectre Performance only include the metal filter box that mount on the bottom part of the factory intake (plastic) when the K&N intake include a full metal box that completely replace the factory intake box. However if you put both side by side, the result of the air box is the same. The tubing shape is a bit different angle with the Spectre Performance, but you know, it's just a tube... and finally I feel pretty sure that the Spectre Performance include a K&N air filter.

The 200$ difference is totally surprising in the other hand and I am not sure how to explain it.

Any ideas?

If those are your 2 choices for your 3.6,i'd stick with the stock airbox.Neither are worth having,as I think both suck hot air from the engine compartment. K&N filters are notorious for "dusting" an engine.

 

[SimmZ]

If those are your 2 choices for your 3.6,i'd stick with the stock airbox.Neither are worth having,as I think both suck hot air from the engine compartment. K&N filters are notorious for "dusting" an engine.

Well, I owned K&N intake system on all single vehicle I owned since now (12+) and never experience any issues. However the key is if you drive often on a dirt road, you need to add the K&N pre-filter to protect the filter from fine dust. It's cheap and it doesn't impact performance really.

Other thing is that if you look at both designs, the filter is isolated from the engine bay (by a seal in contact with the hood) and they are both sucking the air from the fender like OEM. But for some reason the design of the Spectre Performance air box seem more isolated/sealed than the K&N at the first glance.

 

[Wild one]

Well, I owned K&N intake system on all single vehicle I owned since now (12+) and never experience any issues. However the key is if you drive often on a dirt road, you need to add the K&N pre-filter to protect the filter from fine dust. It's cheap and it doesn't impact performance really.

Other thing is that if you look at both designs, the filter is isolated from the engine bay (by a seal in contact with the hood) and they are both sucking the air from the fender like OEM.

If you're hung up on either one,i'd wrap the aluminium intake pipe with header wrap to help keep your IAT's lower.By the looks of the way the box is sitting on both,neither look like they'll seal to the hood very well. If you have to have one or the other,i'd look into building a top for them so they are sealed aka something like a S&B or AFE intake uses.Filter Wear makes K&N's pre-filter socks,you might be able to get the pre-filters through them cheaper.Filter Wear actually makes the majority of pre-filters for all the common filters,they're just rebranded for the different filter manufacture's

https://filterwears.com/

 

[SimmZ]

If you're hung up on either one,i'd wrap the aluminium intake pipe with header wrap to help keep your IAT's lower.By the looks of the way the box is sitting on both,neither look like they'll seal to the hood very well. If you have to have one or the other,i'd look into building a top for them so they are sealed aka something like a S&B or AFE intake uses.Filter Wear makes K&N's pre-filter socks,you might be able to get the pre-filters through them cheaper.Filter Wear actually makes the majority of pre-filters for all the common filters,they're just rebranded for the different filter manufacture's

https://filterwears.com/

Correct. I just found the brand "Filter Wears" and they look identical to K&N brand... obviously they are probably made at the same f*** place as you said ;-)

Pretty much like the Spectre Performance against K&N who are built at the exact same place apparently...

 

[Wild one]

Correct. I just found the brand "Filter Wears" and they look identical to K&N brand... obviously they are probably made at the same f*** place as you said ;-)

Pretty much like the Spectre Performance against K&N who are built at the exact same place apparently...

Joseph is Filter Wear and he makes pretty well all the pre-filters for the aftermarket filters out there. He even had them for my wifes factory filter on her shaker hood challenger. If he doesn't already have one for your particular filter,he'll make you one if you send him the dimesions of the filter.He's a great guy to deal with.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Pretty much like the Spectre Performance against K&N who are built at the exact same place apparently...

An extra $100. for the "K"
An extra$100. for the "N"
If you buy both, the "&" is a Free Gift!

 

[nwsewell]

Of the two, I'd go Spectre. It looks to be less restrictive.
Personally, I wouldn't go with either option, I'd try to find a better mid-tube compatible with your stock air box.

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