easy bolt on mods?
 

I was wondering if anyone knows how well a K&N filter, or CAI (cone?) performs for economy. I know they're supposed to give more horsies. Will this improve mileage? Are there plugs that will also help?

Eh, I don't think the K&N will do anything, their website doesn't even claim it, :p.

Same for plugs, in my opinion. At least not enough to make it worth the energy.

Extra airflow is really only good for increasing MPG on a diesel. On a gasser if you want more air just open the throttle more.

the reason I ask is because I am also an avid GM 3800 fan and belong to a forum http://www.3800pro.com.
I have had at least two 3800 Buicks for several years (one supercharged, one not) and have had great improvements with pulleys and high airflow intakes. I can average 30 MPG plus with the supercharged Park Ave on the highway, and have gotten 34 MPG plus with the Regal and acetone additive.

I love the 3800 also! I had 2 Buick Lesabre models with that motor and a 1994 Supercharged Park Ave. Too bad they all rotted away on me.

+1
Although I have never owned one I think that the 3800 is one of the best engines ever built across all manufacturers.
Its not totally inconceivable that lowered restriction could help MPGs but the CFM increase from a K&N when considered across the whole system would not be big enough to raise your MPG a measurable amount. Pulleys are another matter. I suspect your MPG success was more due to the latter combined with superior maintenance and efficient driving.

If intake airflow is a problem, I would look at modding to put in a larger filter before going to an K&N on a gasoline engine because K&N dont actually filter that well.

Cone filters filter better than square drop in filters, so if you can get a cone K&N and fabricate the hosing with some ABS or PVC and some rubber i'd probably work.

For the guys who know they have a bomb-proof engine, a K&N might be worth it, might not be. Aluminum engines... run paper.

I've heard from expert posters on bitog (bobistheoilguy.com/forums) that K&N's can allow a tad too much dirt into the engine as witnessed by high silicon readings in used oil analyses (UOAs). I had a drop in rectangular one on my 1997 SAAB 900 turbo and I can't say it did much for fuel economy or performance. Paper is going to give you much better filtration.

The only benefits that an K&N provides are reduced restriction when the engine is at high rpm and at high load. If you are driving with any respect to fuel economy you'll never see that situation. Thus, the benefit is just not there.

as for easy bolt on mods, air dam of some sort can be a simple bolt on... same with under body covers.. heck that can be a "zipstrip on" ..