So after reading <a href="http://mymiata.paladinmicro.com/K&NComments.htm">this analysis</a> (a Miata owner) and <a href="http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm">this test</a> (and also <a href="http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm">this</a>, although way less scientific), I'm going back to a paper filter, and throwing out my K&N flat-panel oiled filter. Going to pick up AC Delco, Wix or Baldwin tomorrow.
Basically, to sum up the above:
1. K&N doesn't filter nearly as well as the paper filters
2. K&N flows better in some applications, but the advertised flow is "per square inch", and the K&N filter has significantly less area than the paper filters
Plus, a personal opinion:
3. reoiling is a hassle (messy, hard to find time when I don't need to drive my car for 2+ hrs)
So, even if K&N flows better, the poor filtering ability is definitely disappointing. At this point, I want my engine to last the longest, so the no-hassle disposable paper filters with substantially better filtration are an easy choice.
To think of it, I traveled 65K w/ this K&N (15K on the original OEM). Heh
Live & learn.
Basically, to sum up the above:
1. K&N doesn't filter nearly as well as the paper filters
2. K&N flows better in some applications, but the advertised flow is "per square inch", and the K&N filter has significantly less area than the paper filters
Plus, a personal opinion:
3. reoiling is a hassle (messy, hard to find time when I don't need to drive my car for 2+ hrs)
So, even if K&N flows better, the poor filtering ability is definitely disappointing. At this point, I want my engine to last the longest, so the no-hassle disposable paper filters with substantially better filtration are an easy choice.
To think of it, I traveled 65K w/ this K&N (15K on the original OEM). Heh
Live & learn.
