Talking with a guy at work about MPG, air filters comes up and he asks if I have read the air filter test about K&N filters . Nope, but I just did, if this doesn't work type in Autoweek air filter test into google.
http://home.usadatanet.net/~ibplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

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fasteddie_91932

quote Originally posted by ED Beard: Talking with a guy at work about MPG, air filters comes up and he asks if I have read the air filter test about K&N filters . Nope, but I just did, if this doesn't work type in Autoweek air filter test into google. http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

Change the "i" to a "j" in the link at the "~jbplock" for the link to work. I fixed it in the quote above.

[This message has been edited by Oreif (edited 01-27-2006).]

Intersting... I skipped all the charts and graphs, and went right to the end where the summary explained the charts.

The jist of this very unsuprising test:

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quote Originally posted by ED Beard: Talking with a guy at work about MPG, air filters comes up and he asks if I have read the air filter test about K&N filters . Nope, but I just did, if this doesn't work type in Autoweek air filter test into google. http://home.usadatanet.net/~ibplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

I posted this awhile back in the discussion of oil filters. Seemed fairly important to me.
Judging by many people's reactions when I've brought it up in the real world, most people would happily buy a K&N filter for the half a HP they might gain in the first few weeks of use, instead of a cheaper better filtering filter that'll make their engine last longer.

AC Delco needs to start making aftermarker Cone style filters.

Ofcourse they filter more....they are more restrictive...everyone knows that an INTAKE give you 50hp yo! and K&N is 65hp more! Anyone have a link to those really nice and fancy 15 dollar CAI kits on ebay?!

[This message has been edited by DOHC_SWAPPER (edited 01-27-2006).]

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but couldnt you get the same increased airflow that a K&N filter gives simply by rigging up a larger filter? More filter area should give less restriction, without giving up particle filtering quality.

Thanks for fixing the link. Now all I have to do is find someplace to buy the filters instead of my local Pontiac dealer.

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fasteddie_91932

quote Originally posted by ED Beard: Now all I have to do is find someplace to buy the filters instead of my local Pontiac dealer.

Try calling your local independant parts stores. AdvanceAuto is one of the few large chains that carries ACDelco.

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I called all of the parts stores, nobody stocks them, there is no Advance Auto here in S.D. The only GM dealer that has any on the shelf is in L.A. county!
I can alwys order them through any of these stores, I'm guessing that no one stocks them because of the cost, $11/$14.

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fasteddie_91932

Many independants can get stuff they don't stock either overnight or same day depending what time you get to them. Moog parts for the suspension are the same way at allot of stores. The stores only have so much shelf space.

Go o http://www.acdelco.com/ and click on "Find a part retailer"
K-Mart sells AC-Delco parts too. Last I checked they did.

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Looks like an ACDelco sponsored test to me.

quote Originally posted by Fiero_Adam: Looks like an ACDelco sponsored test to me.

"The test was independently performed under controlled conditions using a $285,000 machine at Testand Corp of Rhode Island (manufacturer of the machine). Arlen Spicer, a GM Duramax Diesel owner/enthusiast organized the test"

It then goes on to say many things about the people who performed the test. I dont see any connection to ACDelco...

These studies have been done again and again and it doesn't seem to change most people's minds about K&N (and other) filters. It has to be good because they cost lots of money. They flow more because they filter less. Do you need all of the filtering of factory filter? Well, that's hard to say really but instead of effectively removing the filter, get a bigger filter.

I agree with TK.

I've always assumed that everyone knows the very same info that those charts "spell out". Every few years, someone posts a link to essentially the same test that's been done quite a few times in the past. It's not rocket science, The K&N and other filters flow more because they filter less. The particle size they allow to pass is usually larger as well in many cases.

Back in 87 when I bought my second Buick GN, "Everyone" had to have a K&N. I used to run one down the track and then go right back to the original AC Delco for the rest of the week. Lots of Dirt in my turbo motor was not exactly what I was trying to acheive. On my T/A bracket car, I never ran (and never will) run a K&N or similar cone filter etc. (Not bashing any brands here, just my personal opinion). On the T/A It's a 14" diameter double "tall" round AC Delco filter with the air cleaner top flipped over. In addition to having a taller filter, the top 2" is exposed all the way around. It's just simply "more filter". "Enough filter" to keep the car consistently into the mid 10 second mark in the 1/4 mile so I doubt that a K&N will provide me any more "performance". Although I'm sure it will increase my "dirt flow rating"....

It's the same old thing: K&N as well as other High Performance parts are just that: High Performance Parts. High Performance engines are usually run harder, rev higher and are driven faster than the run of the mill stocker. Cam it out, hop it up and beat on it more and you reduce it's life. Not to say that a nice well built Performance Motor won't last long.

In the end though, I've always thought that if you've cleaned and oiled the K&N on a regular basis, just like any regular maintainence on a car, I'm sure you will have good results. A well maintained car / enigne whether a performance car or a total stocker, will usually do just fine. I know plenty of people who have had great results with K&N and similar filters. They produce a nice product, that flows well and does a good job. I'm not sure I'd be interested in using one on a truck on a construction site or off road but I think you'll be fine with your K&N just like others are.

[This message has been edited by 3084me (edited 01-28-2006).]

Just bought a huge K&N for my N*. As long as you keep it clean and oiled it is the best flowing filter per the tests.

I don't expect the dust a K&N sucks in over time greatly affects the wear on the engine, but I could be wrong.

My K&N

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quote Originally posted by crzyone: I don't expect the dust a K&N sucks in over time greatly affects the wear on the engine, but I could be wrong.

Not to bash on you (I have heard the statement before from others) but dirt is one of the primary causes of engine wear/eventual failure. Mroe dirt will always mean more wear.

I am not saying it won't cause more wear, but the amount of dust the test is measuring would take a long time to accumulate in normal driving conditions.

I have had engine oil tested on a work truck which is a diesel, it had a K&N on it. The test results showed a higher than normal silica content in the oil, and they said it was probibly due to the K&N which doesn't filter out the real fine dust that a regular air filter does. We also go 10k miles on an oil change on the diesel so I expect the silica to be even higher, and regular usage of gravel roads didn't help.

The other issue is the rate of flow the engine is asking for per cu.in. of filter.

If the filter is small, the flow rate thru it will be higher and the force of air travelling thru the filter tells you the filter can fill up fast with dust or can actually allow more contaminants in if the filter material is too porous. If the filter is large, the air moves more slowly thru the fabric allowing the fabric to work more efficiently.

In my case I went to extreme. I have a K&N rated at over 1100 cfm to feed my carb. The reason? Less turbulence, slower air speed approaching the venturi allowing a more even draw and therefore better mix.

Now this should start an arguement

Arn

Well intresting topic. I have used K & N on all my vehicles with never a problem. Not I am concerned. I will not stop using them, but will make sure they are cleaned and oiled as per spec in the future.

I can't imagine they the would let a whole lot more dirt through than a typical factory filter.

Pat

quote Originally posted by Shianne: Well intresting topic. I have used K & N on all my vehicles with never a problem. Not I am concerned. I will not stop using them, but will make sure they are cleaned and oiled as per spec in the future. I can't imagine they the would let a whole lot more dirt through than a typical factory filter. Pat

They actually let more dirt through when they're clean. When dirt accumulates in the filter media, it traps *more* dirt. Of course, at some point, airflow suffers. There's a reason the automakers moved away from oil bath filters back in the 50's.

quote Originally posted by Gary W: They actually let more dirt through when they're clean. When dirt accumulates in the filter media, it traps *more* dirt. Of course, at some point, airflow suffers. There's a reason the automakers moved away from oil bath filters back in the 50's.

Yes, I hear this quite often and it only makes sense