Scrape the brand labels off of a K&ampN intake and an Injen intake, set them side-by-side, and it s mighty difficult to tell them apart. There s a mandrel-bent tube (probably metal). Also, a conical cotton-gauze filter that s washable and reusable. If you re trying to pick between the two for a quick upgrade project, this can cause quite a conundrum.

Telling apart the people who use K&ampN intakes and K&ampN Cold Air Intakes isn t quite as difficult. Because K&ampN practically invented performance air induction and reusable cotton-gauze filtration, most of the performance drivers you see on the road could be using a K&ampN Cold Air Intake (or at least a K&ampN filter). You ll see the logo on many a bumper or back window when you re cruising the highway. The Injen guy, though, is almost always the miscreant buzzing by your bedroom window at 1am, armed with a slick sport compact and Yuban-sized tailpipe. Picking your next intake based on which group best fits you isn t a bad way to decide between K&ampN and Injen.

That s exactly how K&ampN would want you to pick-after all, most drivers fall into the broad K&ampN crew with ease, and are quite satisfied with the move. Injen, though, touts its ability to bring new innovation and technology to the idea K&ampN pioneered, channeling a more tuned variety of intake performance into the manifold. And, they re making moves to expand beyond the sport compact crowd, introducing tuned air boxes and a line of truck/SUV air intakes. They re still big in sport compact circles, thanks to one of the chief reasons Injen intakes became popular to begin with: the look. An engine with an Injen is unmistakable not so much the case with most K&ampN kits.

K&ampN cold air intakes end up being the better fit for most drivers, though, because of the reputation of quality, performance, and endurance. But, another factor is a big reason why K&ampN gets picked by a wide majority of drivers. While Injen deals solely in metal intakes, K&ampN makes their popular FIPK and 63 Series intake kits with crosslink plastic/nylon tubes. They re not nearly as attractive, but they don t need to be. The plastic intake tube substantially lowers the cost of the kit as a whole. And, it keeps the incoming air cooler, and thus denser, providing more horsepower-all thanks to the non-conductive material. A K&ampN that s cheaper and more powerful is the clincher almost every time.

When it comes to the filter on the end of your kit, K&ampN has been the undisputed king of filtration for more than 30 years. This is another key deciding point between the two intake brands, as K&ampN uses their own proven filter formula in every intake kit. Injen uses another company s filters, but they won t disclose who actually manufactures the filter. With K&ampN, you know what you get with Injen, you don t.

In the end, it comes down to how much looks and brand identity matter in your intake choice. If you want the can t-miss kit for your project, K&ampN is the choice-hands down. If you value the under-hood appearance factor most, or need to grasp at some street cred (i.e., if you re doing-up a Lancer), Injen is worth a long look. That puts about 75% of drivers in the K&ampN camp. Were these the only two intake brands in the world, that number would sound about right. Though they re not, K&ampN is still the overwhelming leader.

When you re trying to pick between a K&N cold air intake or upstart Injen intakes, consider the brand identity each company has worked so hard to build. But, don t forget the actual kit parts.

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