New to the Forum

Hi everyone,
Just joined and look forward to getting assistance and offering it when I am able. Bought a "96 Roadmaster wagon in early 2020. Two owner, with about 80k miles. Have just turned over 90k and it's running great. I include a  picture. Previous owner made some changes.  Added K&N inlet filter and Magnaflow mufflers, I presume to improve breathing of the LT1 and maybe get some additional HP. Also changed out radio for an Alpine set with Bluetooth which is a great addition. Other than that very nice original condition. Looking forward to many more miles.

Bilwit - Welcome. Sounds like you've a nice wagon there.

Once you get a few more posts, you'll be able to post pictures.

Careful with the K&N - they're not great filters and can cause MAF sensor and engine damage if improperly maintained.

welcome aboard.

Thanks for the welcome. Just learning how to use the site. Couldn't find how to reply without the quote. I had tried to include a picture on my post but it didn't attach. How do you get one on by your name?

More importantly is the stock filter better? I still have all the parts to re-install them. I just cleaned the K&N air inlet and oil breather and will pay close attention. Kept clean are they ok or is the stock better to use? Or other aftermarket ones better? Certainly don't want to risk any engine damage. Changing the oil at 5k and does not use any between changes. Just had oil leaks fixed with new sensor and oil cooler lines. At this stage not performing maintenance myself but think I found a good shop.

Thanks again for any advice you'd like to offer. And yes it is a very clean wagon. Very happy with the purchase so far.  

Fix Until Broke wrote:

Bilwit - Welcome.  Sounds like you've a nice wagon there.

Once you get a few more posts, you'll be able to post pictures.

Careful with the K&N - they're not great filters and can cause MAF sensor and engine damage if improperly maintained.

Bilwit - You can just scroll down and type in the white box below the last post to not have the quote, or just delete what you want if you do quote a post.

I haven't tried to put a profile picture by my name, so unfortunately not much help there.

My opinion is that the stock air filter is very good at filtration and keeping the engine quiet. There might be a few HP lost at the high RPM/high Power range.

A couple reasons for a K&N is to hear more engine noise and to get the last 2% of power out of the engine. There are other aftermarket air filter/box assemblies that provide excellent filtration and more dirt holing capacity as well.

It's up to you to decide what is the best for your situation and what you're doing with the car.

Another vote for the stock air filter. A GM powertrain engineer I know has repeatedly said "the best oil filter is a good air filter." Think about it - what debris gets into the engine except through the intake piping? And oil filters usually don't start filtering until the oil temp hits 150F because otherwise the pressure drop across the filter would collapse the filter. Just some things to think about.

Thanks. I was not aware that the K&N were not as good as the original. I will double check all the parts to make sure I have them all I think I do as the previous owner kept the radio and a box with what looks like all the filter parts. Appreciate your info.

when I had a stock 94 RMW, I put a K&N setup on it and drove from South Florida to Raleigh, NC. Lost almost 3 MPG. Took the original airbox, etc with me and swapped it back for the ride home. MPG came back. FL, GA, SC are basically flat, so it wasn't up and down hill.

btw welcome to the club.

Thanks. I am getting around 16 mpg around town. On a road trip got about 23. Seemed good to me but maybe can do better with the original I have it so shouldn't be hard to try it out. Thanks,

Thanks. I am getting around 16 mpg around town. On a road trip got about 23. Seemed good to me but maybe can do better with the original I have it so shouldn't be hard to try it out. Thanks,

Thanks. I am getting around 16 mpg around town. On a road trip got about 23. Seemed good to me but maybe can do better with the original I have it so shouldn't be hard to try it out. Thanks,

Bilwit wrote:

Thanks. I am getting around 16 mpg around town. On a road trip got about 23. Seemed good to me but maybe can do better with the original I have it so shouldn't be hard to try it out. Thanks,  

if you are getting 23 on the hwy, leave it alone!

I was getting 21 and with the K&N dropped to 18 hwy....