Silent K&N Filter

My Zen (2005) has done considerable mileage and now it has started showing its age, to increase pick up want to go for K&N filter, but the dealer says need to change the exhaust also that will increase the noise as well. I like my car to be quiet yet powerful.

Please help, if K&N filter can be used without changing the exhaust.

Free flow filters and exhausts are mostly snake oil. Another member Vinod has got these changes implemented on his Alto recently. Let's wait for his first-hand feedback, before deciding on the up(?)grade.

Just to add... please go through this discussion/thread of Vinod (reference given by Krishna).

Have seen the thread but my requirement is less noise and more output, is it possible. Vinod's link given is something different from my requirement.

What about a wolf in sheep's clothing

There is no problem in changing to K&N filters-not the stock replacement one but the custom filter with the cold air induction.

There might be a marginal improvement in performance.

K&N filters are not good at filtering, so they would result in LESS restriction in the air path, which would result in  the pumping action of the engine being audible (with stock filter it is NOT audible). You have a real possibility of cylinder walls scoring with the filter providing inadequate filtering and allowing foreign particles in the engine. I sincerely doubt it would result in any good.

Replacing the stock air filter AND having a wide exhaust at the same time will surely kill your low RPM torque, which is much much more important to someone who uses the vehicle in day-to-day situations, and not for drag racing like specialized applications alone.

If in spite of these you want to change, go ahead, but you have been forewarned about the consequences.

And yes, with the price of K&N filters, you can probably buy a lifetime's supply of your OEM paper air filter, which are much better at filtering, and do not require periodic cleaning and oiling like K&N filters - a chore you would hate, and your mechanic would hate too, if he were to clean it. Neglect in maintenance of K&N filters will result in it performing substantially worse than the stock filter.

Krishna I completely disagree with you.  Asheesh if you want performance, go for a K&N filter and free flow exhaust, remind you that keep the expansion box and the catalytic converter and ask the freeflow mechanic to set it as per the sound you like, which is your case should be soft. The filter will make a sucking noise, and the free flow can be tuned to be made quiet depending on the mechanic who fits it. Performance gain will be around 5-10%. Specially with the filter, in the lower gears you will the pick. 

I'm using K&N and free flow both in my car, persoanl experience.

Thanks Rachit .. if you can help me .... how big will be drill in pocket...

Will compare it with prices in Bangalore and then take a call where to get it fixed.

Rachit, which part do you disagree? With the entire post?

K & N filters and for that matter performance filter will have effects on longwvity on the engine,

Do note that performance and longevity are two different aspects.

The increase in performance with a 'performance filter' will be minimal(if any)- in and around 1%.

Free flow exhaust would have some performance gains(around 10%) but the costs par se is quite high.