Where to find K&N Filter?

[geochemistry]

If you order from AutoAnything, the code number matches the 2005 Lotus Elise with the 1.8l engine. Go directly to extension 138, and Armand has already gone through the price match with StreetsideAuto, and will help you get the $29.65 filter!

A big THANK YOU to all the forum members who did the research to get this quick and easy modification set up!

www.autoanything.com/

[brian r]

Originally Posted by geochemistry

If you order from AutoAnything, the code number matches the 2005 Lotus Elise with the 1.8l engine.

Although this is correct, it is not complete information. The correct filter for our cars is the 33-2647. While it is designed for the "'05 Lotus Elise with the 1.8L engine", it fits the cars sold in the rest of the world with the Rover engine. The K & N website lists this filter as being for the "Elise exc. Toyota engine. The correct filter for a USA/Canada Elise is a 33-2652. I'm aware of this since I have an '05 Elise and a 33-2652 that I removed from the car in my garage.

Point being, if you walk into an auto parts store or pick up the phone, don't ask for a filter for a Lotus Elise. Since we don't get the Rover-powered cars, there's a good chance you'll get the wrong filter.

Lotus owners found aftermarket filters in the same way us fortwo drivers found the K & N, by searching other applications. The filters that fit the Lotus are for a Toyota Matrix with the 2ZZ-GE Yamaha engine, which is used in the Elise.

BTW, most of us use the Green cotton filter in the Elise. It's similar to the K & N but has been found to flow much better in our cars. If you look at a K & N from the top, there's a black rubber molding around the edge of the filtering surface. The Green does not have this molding. In big cone and panel filters, it's not a big deal, but in smaller filters the K & N loses up to 20% of it's flow compared to a Green from this molding. It's supposed to filter better as well because of the cutton used and the pleat depth. In the Lotus, where the 1.8L engine puts out 190 hp in stock trim and as much as 225 with mods [but no turbo or supercharging], the Green showed 2 hp in the stock airbox where the K & N showed zero gain (but was louder and improved throttle response like the Green).

The downside to that is that the Green is twice the price thanks to the Pound/Dollar exchange rate, and the US importer doesn't import the filter. You could buy it from the UK, but by the time you had it shipped it would cost you $100. Not cost effective for me...

http://www.green-filter.co.uk/produc...ucts_id=203593

http://www.greenfilterusa.com/whygogreen.html

[jwight]

brian, seems like a similar situation with this K&N filter if it matches the Chrysler Crossfire. If I remember correctly, the Crossfire is/was basically the last generation Mercedes CLK under a new body. So, the filter for the Crossfire is already a M-B item which it appears they've adapted for the 451 smart.

[Wdhitch]

Just installed the K&N filter... took about 15 minutes and there is definatly more bite in the throttle!!! Definate upgrade!!!!

[brian r]

Originally Posted by jwight

brian, seems like a similar situation with this K&N filter if it matches the Chrysler Crossfire. If I remember correctly, the Crossfire is/was basically the last generation Mercedes CLK under a new body. So, the filter for the Crossfire is already a M-B item which it appears they've adapted for the 451 smart.

The Crossfire filter did not work. Some people have wedged it in, but is is certainly not a drop-in replacement for the filter in the fortwo. I sliced my thumb four stitches worth trying.

The 33-2647 used in Rovers and Rover-engined Lotus fit perfectly. A three minute job including closing the engine cover.

[DFWehman]

Ouch!

[xcrew229x]

Ya'll might want to slow down on the 33-2647. It fits, but does not fit as snugly as the factory filter, as in the factory filter will sit well in the lower part of the airbox, the K&N 33-2647 is flexible enough that it will not. If you fit it into the lid and then install, it seems ok. Whether or not it will move after installation is the question. Anyone else observe this?

[brian r]

Originally Posted by xcrew229x

Ya'll might want to slow down on the 33-2647. It fits, but does not fit as snugly as the factory filter, as in the factory filter will sit well in the lower part of the airbox, the K&N 33-2647 is flexible enough that it will not. If you fit it into the lid and then install, it seems ok. Whether or not it will move after installation is the question. Anyone else observe this?

I noticed this, but it does fit exactly into the lid, which places significant pressure onto the filter. Just to make sure there wouldn't be a problem, I reassembled the airbox halves and looked at the edges of the filter before re-attaching the tube with a boroscope. The seal was tight.

[xcrew229x]

Thanx brian r, that was my only concern.

[mvaldes]

Originally Posted by geochemistry

If you order from AutoAnything, the code number matches the 2005 Lotus Elise with the 1.8l engine. Go directly to extension 138, and Armand has already gone through the price match with StreetsideAuto, and will help you get the $29.65 filter!

A big THANK YOU to all the forum members who did the research to get this quick and easy modification set up!

www.autoanything.com/

I just got off the phone with Armand. He says they don't carry the filter and he's never heard of them having one for the Smart, much less anything about price matching. To top it off, he says they can't get the 33-2647!
I had previously gone thru the ordering process with Brad who sent me the wrong (round) filter despite my giving him the part number. Today, after Armand transferred me to Brad, Brad transferred me to David, David transferred me to Joel. Joel contacted Kerry at K&N and was told that, while the dimensions of the 33-2647 are correct, they don't recommend using it in the Smart because they don't think it fits properly. They (K&N) are working on one for the Smart and it should be available in a couple of months.