PFF - Pennock's Fiero Forum, PDA Edition

Air Filter Test for Filtration and Performance (Page 1/2)

Dennis LaGrua

APR 19, 12:12 PM

Came across this video on youtube where a number of different air filters were tested for particle filtration and air flow. There were some very interesting results. In this video it looks like the K&N flowed the best and actually allowed a pick up a 10th of a second in the zero to 60 time but offered less filtration. That 10th of a second can be the difference maker in a drag race .We often talk about air filters and what they can do but this test really tells you where it's at.
Air Filter Brand Evaluation and Test

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Vintage-Nut

APR 19, 03:58 PM

I always used K&N air filters in my motorcycles; however, I have been a huge WIX filter fan for my trucks and cars......

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Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT
Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles

olejoedad

APR 19, 07:14 PM

I always use WIX oil filters.

Kitskaboodle

APR 19, 08:31 PM

I kind of pondered about this test you’re talking about. (filtration & performance)
I haven’t watched the video in the link yet but I wanted to point out that (for me) a huge selling point of K&N’s is that they last forever. (unlike paper element ones) My point is that even if K&N’s flowed the same as paper, I would still buy them just for the money saving aspect of them. Think about all the times you bought paper air filters for your car over a 150-200K mile life? The comparison is not even close.
Kit

Vintage-Nut

APR 19, 09:19 PM

Watch the video!

Dennis LaGrua

APR 19, 11:41 PM

quote

Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:

I kind of pondered about this test you’re talking about. (filtration & performance)
I haven’t watched the video in the link yet but I wanted to point out that (for me) a huge selling point of K&N’s is that they last forever. (unlike paper element ones) My point is that even if K&N’s flowed the same as paper, I would still buy them just for the money saving aspect of them. Think about all the times you bought paper air filters for your car over a 150-200K mile life? The comparison is not even close.
Kit

Using K & N Filters is a compromise. More air moves through them, and they last a long time, but so does more dirt. It can be called a permanent filter and using one will save you money but is the lower level of filtration a concern for engine life? Another concern is you must wash them and add filter oil that will get on the MAF sensor but if your engine doesn't have one then its not an issue. I've had to clean my filter and after re-oiling, it changed the MAF sensor readings and set a trouble code. Then you must clean the MAF to make it work properly again. Once usually does it.
I use K & N for the increased air flow that leads to more horsepower but my Fieros are driven only 1000 miles per year. We will have to again look at the dirt particle size difference to determine what the effect will be on engine life. Don't believe that I would use K & N on a daily driver but there are many opinions on this?
As for Wix oil filters they are excellent but not widely available here in my state. I've purchased them on Rock Auto.

sleek fiero

APR 20, 11:08 AM

I watched the video and I think it was well done. For me I only put on 1000 Kms (600 miles) or so per year. Never on rainy days or on dusty roads. pavement only. For me the Kand N filter is more than adequate. For my daily driver car I use wix filters. A lot of performance / show vehicles use no filter or just a screen cover on their intakes.

Kitskaboodle

APR 20, 01:40 PM

I have heard about the MAF wire / K&N oil issue as well but IMO they are doing the K&N no-no. (going round and round on the filter, over-saturating it!) Can you say, “fling off”? Sure you can. That and you’ll find that if K&N users were honest, they would admit that they almost never “wash” (clean) them but it’s a good policy to occasionally take a pie tin, an old paint brush, some kerosene and gently cleaning and drying them. Lastly, I’ve been using K&N’s in all my cars all the time for 45 + years and never had a problem. And, I’ve never replaced a one of them. My Toyota pickup has 520K+ miles now and I’ve been using a K&N on it from the beginning.
Kit

[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 04-20-2025).]

Dennis LaGrua

APR 24, 06:56 PM

As I've said I use K & N on on my 3800SC. On the rare occasion that I get caught in a rainstorm on the highway coming back from a car show like Carlisle; my install (without the rain trap box) has a direct CAI intake to the outside.
I believe in my application it's better to have an oiled fabric filter than a paper one that when a bit wet might dissolve and throw residue into the engine.The MAF issue did surface with an OBD code and was eliminated after cleaning and re-oiling the K & N filter by just cleaning the sensor. Only had to do this once so far but the car is driven less than 1000 miles per year. .

82-T/A [At Work]

APR 24, 07:47 PM

Question... is it really a problem if dust and a little dirt gets into the intake? Any particulates that would get past a K&N, at least in my opinion, would be too small to make a difference. I assume the only real issue is something possibly getting back into the oil and in the bearings, etc... like particles of sand. But like pollen or things like that, I'd just assume it would burn up?