Panel filter increase?

[Inspektor]

Hi all, I've seen a K&N panel filter on Ebay, They want £45 for it but on a 2.0 dti is it really worth it? Do you think there would be a noticable increase as claimed?
Your thoughts.
Thanks.

[Cheeky_B]

I kept the lower half of the airbox as it was and fitted a K&N style filter. I modded the airflow pipes so it didnt go along the front end of the engine. I have to say it did increase the torque of the car alot. Before it was a smooth acceleration but now it lunges forward when asked to.

Mine aint a diesel though, is the 2.2 petrol.

Should make a difference tho!

[24vElite]

I fitted a K&N panel filter to my 3.2 V6, no mods to the filter box. Can't say I noticed any difference in power or torque, but the V6 is so smooth anyway. Did pickup a couple of mpg overall so efficiency must have been improved.

[AJA]

In my opinion the K&N filter allows your car to breathe better anyway, and will save you money when servicing. If you get a performance increase then 'brucey bonus'

[Andy]

a panel filter isnt really going to give you much of an increase. Maybe 1bhp max. I think where they say you money is servicing etc as they have a lifetime garuntee.
Thinking back to the late 90's when we did an air filter test on an astra 2.0 16v at well lane turbos with max power magazine, the tested 5 panel filters, back to back with 5 cone filters. All the panel filters produced either the same as the stock filter set up or very marginally more. The cones varied from a few bhp increase to a staggering 15bhp with the K&N!!! (that created a few readers letters afterwards!). I know its not the same car but it gives you the idea of the comparison to a standard set up.

Tuning specific for our cars is still not in the forfront of most tuners minds but its slowly starting to come through, so theres not a lot of advice on what works/what doesnt floating around yet.
Theres a few exhausts on the market now, and like youve seen, some filters. Other than that its a case of looking at what parts are available on the vec B or other vauxhalls with the same engine and seeing if they can be used. With a new engine like the 3.2, your at the mercy of tuning companies really

[Johnnyopolis]

Just a word of warning, I dont know who the seller is on ebay who is selling the filters (maybe a link is in order)

I ordered one for my old Sri Astra it said on the listing that there were 6 available so i paid my £45 or £50 and waited, a week later nothing turned up so i emailed to be sent an email back with "sorry mate, got none in stock" it will be a couple of weeks...I waited and I had nothing... cancelled the payment and chucked some feedback up to warn others....