Is all the hype of K&N air filters really that good. I am an aviation mechanic and operate a fleet of 40 road tractors in a family business. So tell me if they are what K&N says they are.
K&N air filters
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Spend some time looking just a few pages in this section and you'll find PLENTY of info including the same questions asked.
Here is one thread.
Another.
Another.
Try the search also.
Bill
PS:
Here is one thread.
Another.
Another.
Try the search also.
Bill
PS:
Without even having to bring up the fact they are a bad idea for cars with MAF sensors (wet oily mess on the sensor)
They do not filter as well as a standard paper filter.
It's been said before, and its a logic statement.
Better airflow = less filtration.. It just makes sense.
They do not filter as well as a standard paper filter.
It's been said before, and its a logic statement.
Better airflow = less filtration.. It just makes sense.
Keep a CLOSE eye on your Si levels in your UOAs!! I actually got brave & put an S&B AF in the Dodge, no signs of any dusting yet...
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Without even having to bring up the fact they are a bad idea for cars with MAF sensors (wet oily mess on the sensor)
I've heard this before, and no one has been able to prove it. Everyone "knows a guy that knows a guy that had a MAF fail". K&N spend YEARS trying to prove this. They even setup a MAF testing lab. They were unable to duplicate it. Look for "MAF Mystery" on youtube. Really. Years. Unable.
Without even having to bring up the fact they are a bad idea for cars with MAF sensors (wet oily mess on the sensor)
I've heard this before, and no one has been able to prove it. Everyone "knows a guy that knows a guy that had a MAF fail". K&N spend YEARS trying to prove this. They even setup a MAF testing lab. They were unable to duplicate it. Look for "MAF Mystery" on youtube. Really. Years. Unable.
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Without even having to bring up the fact they are a bad idea for cars with MAF sensors (wet oily mess on the sensor)
They do not filter as well as a standard paper filter.
It's been said before, and its a logic statement.
Better airflow = less filtration.. It just makes sense.
Possibly wrong/too much oil on the filter? You are right, though-the more airflow through the same size filter, the more dirt will come through.
Without even having to bring up the fact they are a bad idea for cars with MAF sensors (wet oily mess on the sensor)
They do not filter as well as a standard paper filter.
It's been said before, and its a logic statement.
Better airflow = less filtration.. It just makes sense.
Possibly wrong/too much oil on the filter? You are right, though-the more airflow through the same size filter, the more dirt will come through.
If you buy a KN filter, buy it for its re-usability. It won't provide a measurable increase in performance. If you buy one of their cold air intakes, you'll feel/hear a difference at full throttle. It's not much however. And when are you going WOT all the time right? haha
The gains they advertise are measured on a dyno. That's where throttling losses are kept at a minimum and volumetric efficiency increases because the throttle is wide open all the time. Throttling losses/pumping losses occur when the valves (both the intake and throttle body) open to let air in, and then close. The time it takes to close reduces the opening that the air can get into the engines from. Unless your vehicle is direct injected, throttling losses are high for most vehicles and a "high flow air filter" will provide more audible differences than a increase in performance that can be measured from the seat of your pants.
Don't waste your time on those short ram intakes. For passenger car use, you will benefit more from a cold air intake and long intake tubing to induce inertia buildup of the intake gas. This gives you more torque on the bottom end because when that intake valve opens, there should be a higher pressure inside that tube (vs. atmospheric pressure) insomuch that the gas will be rushing into the combustion chamber. A ram air intake plenum operates on a similar concept, but has a special shape to make it happen. It does away with the long intake tube, favoring high speed operation...something that only a short length intake can provide. That's why they're on race vehicles.
I use a KN replacement filter for my cars and motorcycle so I don't have to replace the regular paper filters. I don't see any noticeable improvement on the road in terms of power or fuel efficiency. Maybe the intake noise is a bit different, but it's probably just my mind. hahaha
KN filters meet OEM requirements for filtration, so I wouldn't worry too much. Your oil will take care of the contaminants that do get through so when you change it you purge the [censored] too. My Tacoma has over 300,000 miles on a KN filter and I've never rebuilt the engine. I still change at 5000 miles. Give it a shot. They make good products.
The gains they advertise are measured on a dyno. That's where throttling losses are kept at a minimum and volumetric efficiency increases because the throttle is wide open all the time. Throttling losses/pumping losses occur when the valves (both the intake and throttle body) open to let air in, and then close. The time it takes to close reduces the opening that the air can get into the engines from. Unless your vehicle is direct injected, throttling losses are high for most vehicles and a "high flow air filter" will provide more audible differences than a increase in performance that can be measured from the seat of your pants.
Don't waste your time on those short ram intakes. For passenger car use, you will benefit more from a cold air intake and long intake tubing to induce inertia buildup of the intake gas. This gives you more torque on the bottom end because when that intake valve opens, there should be a higher pressure inside that tube (vs. atmospheric pressure) insomuch that the gas will be rushing into the combustion chamber. A ram air intake plenum operates on a similar concept, but has a special shape to make it happen. It does away with the long intake tube, favoring high speed operation...something that only a short length intake can provide. That's why they're on race vehicles.
I use a KN replacement filter for my cars and motorcycle so I don't have to replace the regular paper filters. I don't see any noticeable improvement on the road in terms of power or fuel efficiency. Maybe the intake noise is a bit different, but it's probably just my mind. hahaha
KN filters meet OEM requirements for filtration, so I wouldn't worry too much. Your oil will take care of the contaminants that do get through so when you change it you purge the [censored] too. My Tacoma has over 300,000 miles on a KN filter and I've never rebuilt the engine. I still change at 5000 miles. Give it a shot. They make good products.
Originally Posted By: fordrenegade
Is all the hype of K&N air filters really that good. I am an aviation mechanic and operate a fleet of 40 road tractors in a family business. So tell me if they are what K&N says they are.
I would call the engine manufactures and ask them and share the answer with us. I wouldn't use one in anything I owned, especially in a commercial $$$$$$ engine. People try to get all the miles out of the engines they can, if K@Ns were good most of the truck/fleet owners would run them. Why would you want to clean an air filter. .
Is all the hype of K&N air filters really that good. I am an aviation mechanic and operate a fleet of 40 road tractors in a family business. So tell me if they are what K&N says they are.
I would call the engine manufactures and ask them and share the answer with us. I wouldn't use one in anything I owned, especially in a commercial $$$$$$ engine. People try to get all the miles out of the engines they can, if K@Ns were good most of the truck/fleet owners would run them. Why would you want to clean an air filter. .
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Originally Posted By: fordrenegade
Is all the hype of K&N air filters really that good. I am an aviation mechanic and operate a fleet of 40 road tractors in a family business. So tell me if they are what K&N says they are.
I would call the engine manufactures and ask them and share the answer with us. I wouldn't use one in anything I owned, especially in a commercial $$$$$$ engine. People try to get all the miles out of the engines they can, if K@Ns were good most of the truck/fleet owners would run them. Why would you want to clean an air filter. .
+1 I wouldn't put one in anything I owned also. I don't think it is a cost effective choice unless you are going to put a [censored] load of miles on your car and even then I wouldn't risk it with the poor filtration of K&N filters.
Check out the link I posted
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=290373
Originally Posted By: fordrenegade
Is all the hype of K&N air filters really that good. I am an aviation mechanic and operate a fleet of 40 road tractors in a family business. So tell me if they are what K&N says they are.
I would call the engine manufactures and ask them and share the answer with us. I wouldn't use one in anything I owned, especially in a commercial $$$$$$ engine. People try to get all the miles out of the engines they can, if K@Ns were good most of the truck/fleet owners would run them. Why would you want to clean an air filter. .
+1 I wouldn't put one in anything I owned also. I don't think it is a cost effective choice unless you are going to put a [censored] load of miles on your car and even then I wouldn't risk it with the poor filtration of K&N filters.
Check out the link I posted
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=290373
what craig said is an awful rumor and old wives tail!!! people seem to forget that air moves back and forth. if oil is on your maf or dirty ,not from the k&n...lol!! in my case i have used them for 20 years in all my vehicles my intakes are squeeky clean...
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Originally Posted By: fordrenegade
Is all the hype of K&N air filters really that good. I am an aviation mechanic and operate a fleet of 40 road tractors in a family business. So tell me if they are what K&N says they are.
If your worried about the oil messing things up, get a Pro Dry instead...life time filter and all you do is clean with soap and water. I use AFE Pro Dry in both Tacoma and Jetta.
Is all the hype of K&N air filters really that good. I am an aviation mechanic and operate a fleet of 40 road tractors in a family business. So tell me if they are what K&N says they are.
If your worried about the oil messing things up, get a Pro Dry instead...life time filter and all you do is clean with soap and water. I use AFE Pro Dry in both Tacoma and Jetta.
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