S***! After reading this I guess I gotta go pull the chicken wire back out!!!!!

 

For all of you guys running K&N filters, I would definitely take a look at this very thorough independant review. It is a terrific read:
http://www.dieselbombers.com/chevrol...r-testing.html

Most notably;
Take a look at the "Dust Loading Curves." Quite interesting how the K&N filter begins to flow exponentially worse at about 200 grams delivered.


-JT

 

I just change my oil more often

 

I run the Mopar Performance round filter, and used to use a K&N. I tried running a Purolator paper filter, and noticed no performance difference, but noticed a huge difference in how clean my throttle body was in between filter changes. I have not run a K&N filter since, and will not be going back to K&N.

 

evreyone that is into modding or into autos runs a k&n i wouldnt be worried about it. its ment to bring on power. make sure you use the oil so dirt sticks to it. the magnum motors need to breathe there big small blocks .

 

You can get just as much air through a paper filter as a cloth filter. It's all a matter of surface area. If you notice a power loss when switching to paper that just means you need more filter surface area, ie bigger filter. Once you've moved to a filter big enough to meet the needs airflow of your engine during times when extreme airflow is required it doesn't matter what filter media you are using other than how well it filters. It sounds like Silver has evidence that the big round air filters have sufficient flow for his engine.

Trust me when I say that even the fine dirt allowed through by the K&N's is very very bad. I learned a new term from my machinist after taking him my dirt bike jug to get bored after running K&N's..."Desert Bore job" as in the dirt had already bored the thing. Unfortunately not in a way that allowed any kind of a ring seal. And if you think about it by the time the dirt makes it to your oil, how in the world did it get there? Passing between your rings and cylinder wall? Not good.

 

So you mean this $50ish drop in k&n filter is crap? I drive through mud and sugar sand quite regularly and don't want to destroy my engine.

 

Your engine won't spontaneously destroy itself with a K&N.

But, any dirt that gets into the cylinders is still a bad thing.

They flow great when they are taken care of and cleaned properly at regular intervals. If you aren't that dedicated to cleaning them and oiling them right, then don't buy one. They start to flow worse than paper filters the dirtier they get, which negates having one.

If you want a reliable DD, and don't have any other noteworthy performance mods, just stick with a paper filter.

 

To be fair a dirt bike sees a lot more dirt/dust then 90% of our trucks. I'm not disagreeing but that's not a fair comparison. If k&n filters were crap word would get out like fram filters did.


That study is an interesting read. I would try a paper filter but my truck came with a cai when I bought it and I have never seen a paper filter that can go on the end of a cai tube.

 

For what it is worth... these were my experiences. YMMV.

Started with paper element, switched to K&N drop in. (no noticeable difference)

At one point I removed the pipe from the air hat to the fender. (no noticeable difference)

When the 14x3 pop'd up on here, I tried that for over a year. (More sound, felt like I lost low end pulling power up hills.) Also was concerned with heat soak because that bottom plate would get very very hot.

Swapped back to the stock box with K&N drop in... Noticed smoother idle compared to 14x3.

Got a good deal and installed K&N FIPK. Looked cool under the hood. Ran for about a year and recently removed. Had concerns about water. We had rain a few days and I could visibly see water spots on the shield of the intake just from normal driving. I remembered back to dakotasram? something like that. Sucked water up his intake locked up the engine. I can't stand limiting mods. I don't aim for the puddles, but I also shouldn't have to worry either. I also did not notice a mileage difference after swapping back to stock. I normally saw 12.5-13.5 with K&N. I just filled up the other day with the stock box and saw 13.1, but I also had ~500 lbs. of scrap in the bed at one point on that tank. (461 lbs light iron / 25 lbs sealed compressor / some elec motors and other small stuff I didn't notice the weight of). I'd be funny to see if i was doing better without the intake haha.

In the end, I have the stock box and tube back on... and I am 100% happy with that. Again, these are just my experiences... and ymmv.