K & N and OAI

[Dan30thz28]

Hi, I wanted to know if anyone is running a K&N drop in filter instead of the stock original AC paper filament style filter. The car has the complete OAI setup. I had a friend of mine tune the idle, and once we put the air cleaner assembly on, the idle had to be recalibrated.(It went down several 100 rpm) My friend suggested the K & N, and I wanted to know if anyone else has tried it. Thanks and I look forward to your responses.

Sincerely, Dan Maldonado

[RocketDude]

K&N are the best. I've used them for years on commerical fleets, and on high performance cars. Costly to purchase, but they last forever. When they get dirty, wash em out, oil em up, and you're set for another few thousand miles.

The dirtier they get, they better they work. I've seen dyno test that compare a new paper filter to a filthy K&N, and the K&N way out preforms a brand new paper filter.

All the racers use em, on road, and off. Go for it......

[texasred]

You may want to take a gander at this:

http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

C.J.

[RocketDude]

Very interesting. I'm saving the article for future reference. I did see a dyno test at the K&N factory, comparing various paper filters to the K&N. They used a filthy K&N, compared to new paper ones. In that series of tests, K&N kicked butt!

I realize anyone can manipulate tests to come out the way they want them to. That works both ways.

I do know I used them for years in a heavy duty fleet application, and was more than satisified with their preformance, and cost savings. I know all offroad racers use them.

I guess if they aren't any good, I'm safe now, because I no longer operate a fleet, and I don't have any on my cars!

Another thought. The test I saw was years ago, when K&N was a small, independent company. They were purchased by a corporation some time back. Did they lose something in the search for profits?

[Dan30thz28]

Hi guys,

It's a very interesting result that the guy got. I have used K & N filters on everything fuel injected I've had ('97 30th Anniversary Z28, 2001 Grand Am GT, Wife's 2003 Corolla), and with favorable performance results. The Corolla had the biggest gains of all the vehicles. It just seemed weird that we had the idle tuned right without the filter on, and then when we placed the filter on the car, it had to be turned up...again. I'm hoping the K&N will end that problem. Thanks for all your input, and I'll let you know what happens the next time I take the Cutlass out. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Sincerely,

Dan Maldonado

[Kerry]

Results look pretty definitive, but the loading the filters are seeing is orders of magnitude higher than the load the average street driven car will see.

[RocketDude]

Just for grins, I sent An email to K&N Filters, in riverside California, where I saw the dyno test some years ago.

The email is as follows;

I have used K&N filters for years, with good results. Recently I was bragging your product up in an online web site, when someone shot me down with this article, showing K&N to be a very poor performer. Much worse than any paper filter on the market.

I would like your reaction and feedback on this series of tests, which put your product in a very poor light.

thank you... ISO 5011 Duramax Air Filter Test Report

I will let you know what they have to say, if I hear anything back from them.

It should be interesting....

[Dan30thz28]

Let me guess.....they haven't responded. I'm sure they won't either. I was going to tell you that the car sounds better, (deeper exhaust note), and it's running better overall with the K&N. Keep us updated as to what happens.

Sincerely,

[RocketDude]

You're correct..! It's been a couple of weeks, and not a peep out of them. So, at this point, I can only hope their product is better than their customer service. They are willing to spend a million dollars on advertising, but don't wish to take the time to answer a question.

I would have to say, another company that grew to big for their own good. When I first had dealing with them, they were a small independent company in Riverside California. They would bend over backwards to help someone out . Since they were purchased by a big company, they seem to only be interested in the bottom line.

I still believe in them, but if anyone were to ask me for a recommendation, I would start by telling about their customer service.

I'm cured....!

[RocketDude]

Well Dan, you and I both have egg on our faces. I got a response this morning from K&N. I was happy to get it, because I have always respected their products. Here is a copy of what they had to say. Take it for what it is worth.......

Hello,

The filter test conducted by Testand comparing the K&N filter to many other original equipment and replacement filters is flawed in several aspects. First, using the data published in their test report, the efficiencies calculated for all of the filters are correct with the exception of the K&N filter. Using their data, the efficiency of the K&N filter would calculate out to higher then the published efficiency in the report. Also, the protocol that is outlined does not follow the industry standard for air filter testing. K&N routinely, has air filter testing by a nationally recognized independent research laboratory and these independent tests report a substantially higher efficiency then the Testand report.

Thank you,

Leon S. Collins

K&N Technical Support

1-800-858-3333

[Dan30thz28]

Rocket,

Yeah, I guess we do, but that is quite a vague response, don't you think? I'm sure my car is running a lot better with the K&N, but a company is always going to back their product, that's their job. Regardless of the study results, I'm really happy with the way my car is running. Thanks for getting back to us. Happy motoring, and enjoy your summer!

Sincerely,

[texasred]

I agree with Dan on the vaguery. However, I've never been a fan of the "butt dyno". JMHO. Not trying to start anything...ok?

Did K&N name the "nationally recognized independent research laboratory" or offer copies of the "independent tests"?

C.J.

[RocketDude]

I agree it was vague, BUT.... The guy gave out his phone number. You can't ask for more than that! If you disagree with anything he had to say, or have more questions, call him. I'n sure he would be happy to answer your questions.

[No1Ambroz]

That web site is no longer up. Can anyone get a new web addres?