Interesting Air Filter tests
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 769
From:
RE: Interesting Air Filter tests
I don't know about this test. We had several different publications that had tested HP increase with different filters. Now they had been very simple non scientific tests but for the most part the KNs had always showed a HP gain. If the results of the test posted in that site are accurate, the KN poor performance would lead to HP loss not gain. Just my .02
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 24
From: Wixom, MI
RE: Interesting Air Filter tests
If this study keeps you from using a K&N then you don't understand why you'd want to use a K&N in the first place!
This is the most important statement in that study... (and I'll add "duh!" to that)
"The Flow Restriction response curves for each filter have the same basic shape. However, note how the AC Filter, which passed the smallest amount of dirt and had the highest dirt capacity and efficiency, also had the highest relative restriction to flow. The less efficient filters correspondingly had less restriction to flow. This illustrates the apparent trade-offs between optimizing a filter for dirt capturing ability and maximum airflow."
This is the most important statement in that study... (and I'll add "duh!" to that)
"The Flow Restriction response curves for each filter have the same basic shape. However, note how the AC Filter, which passed the smallest amount of dirt and had the highest dirt capacity and efficiency, also had the highest relative restriction to flow. The less efficient filters correspondingly had less restriction to flow. This illustrates the apparent trade-offs between optimizing a filter for dirt capturing ability and maximum airflow."
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 516
From:
RE: Interesting Air Filter tests
So it appears that the K&N flows air well, but is inefficient at trapping dirt. That was HALF the reason to buy one! They say you dont have to mess with em for about 40,000 miles and that the dirtier they get, the better they work. Maybe they should test some dirty ones!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 24
From: Wixom, MI
RE: Interesting Air Filter tests
ORIGINAL: Redfire
So it appears that the K&N flows air well, but is inefficient at trapping dirt.
So it appears that the K&N flows air well, but is inefficient at trapping dirt.
) That's the tradeoff for having increased airflow. And yes, according to K&N their efficiency increases with use (and the airflow thus decreases as the filter accumulates more dirt) so I'd be interested to see the test performed with dirty airfilters as well.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 72
From: Native Texan
RE: Interesting Air Filter tests
I didnt expect it to pass that much dirt. I think if, and I say IF, Ford (or any mfg) wanted to make an issue out it, they could probably blame engine problems on the extra "contaminants" that it passes. I know its a stretch but I didnt expect it to pass that much more.
If I read the charts right, it looks like it passes 7 times more dirt. That is more than I would have guessed.
If I read the charts right, it looks like it passes 7 times more dirt. That is more than I would have guessed.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 26
From:
RE: Interesting Air Filter tests
ORIGINAL: CoochDog
If this study keeps you from using a K&N then you don't understand why you'd want to use a K&N in the first place!
This is the most important statement in that study... (and I'll add "duh!" to that)
"The Flow Restriction response curves for each filter have the same basic shape. However, note how the AC Filter, which passed the smallest amount of dirt and had the highest dirt capacity and efficiency, also had the highest relative restriction to flow. The less efficient filters correspondingly had less restriction to flow. This illustrates the apparent trade-offs between optimizing a filter for dirt capturing ability and maximum airflow."
If this study keeps you from using a K&N then you don't understand why you'd want to use a K&N in the first place!
This is the most important statement in that study... (and I'll add "duh!" to that)
"The Flow Restriction response curves for each filter have the same basic shape. However, note how the AC Filter, which passed the smallest amount of dirt and had the highest dirt capacity and efficiency, also had the highest relative restriction to flow. The less efficient filters correspondingly had less restriction to flow. This illustrates the apparent trade-offs between optimizing a filter for dirt capturing ability and maximum airflow."