What are youguys thoughts on this?
This guy tested a bunch of air filters in a lab, and is saying K&N filters let 18x more dirt through then paper filters do.

http://home.usadatanet.net/~jb...R.htm

 

The graphs show that filtration and flow are direct opposites (as one would expect).

The conclusion of the tech is the high filtration filter won't compromise power "until the dirty indicator on the truck turns on."

I guess he's saying the extra flow doesn't offer a measurable improvement when it allows much dirtier air in.

For all the number dropping on the page about the expensive filtration tests, sure would've been nice to show dyno numbers to back up his statements on that front.

 

I know they are dangerous in 4-wheelers!!!

<who had to do a rebuild because of a K&N

But I rock a KN on the R with no noticeable problems.....

 

According to the graphs (& my rusty math skills), the K&N initially allows 37% more air in than the AC Delco filter. On the down side, the K&N is also allowing 75% more dust into your motor than the AC Delco. In my opinion, that slight performance gain is not an even enough trade on filtration quality. Allowing that much more dust into the motor will require much more frequent oil-changes & also wear out the valve guids & rings considerably quicker...

The K&N also requires you to clean the filter 2.5x as often as you replace the AC Delco filter.

Makes me glad I run my cars on OEM airboxs & paper filters...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94eg! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">According to the graphs (& my rusty math skills), the K&N initially allows 37% more air in than the AC Delco filter. On the down side, the K&N is also allowing 75% more dust into your motor than the AC Delco. In my opinion, that slight performance gain is not an even enough trade on filtration quality. Allowing that much more dust into the motor will require much more frequent oil-changes & also wear out the valve guids & rings considerably quicker...

The K&N also requires you to clean the filter 2.5x as often as you replace the AC Delco filter.

Makes me glad I run my cars on OEM airboxs & paper filters...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have all ways suspected this i mean you can see through it " K&N". I run one now and then but for the most part i keep a stock paper filer in place in the R.

 

I'm sure the extra silicates (sand) that pass through can't be good. I've had a healthy B16A that burned little to no oil at all spend a winter in Edmonton Alberta where they heavily sand and salt the road.

The open element filter got pwned. I removed it far too late and discovered a nice "beach" on the lip of the throttle body....which ultimately led to its "mysterious" excellent oil consumption.

Having power is great, but I think longevity is much better. Besides, changing an intake takes all of 15mins max (unless you're using Mugen )

 

I read a similar filter test that showcased foam style filters (particularly AMSOIL) as being much more capable of traping & containing dust than K&N style gause & even paper type filters. Aparantly the depth of the foam element can hold so much more particles before becoming "clogged". Also since the air path through the foam takes so many twists & turns, the dirt & dust is captured much more efficently...

From what I can tell, the amsoil filter in the OP's link is not their Multi-stage foam performance filter (which is not offered for hondas anyways), but one of their standard paper type filters instead. I would be very interested in using this type of performance drop-in filter if SPOON's $130 version wasn't our only choice...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94eg! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

From what I can tell, the amsoil filter in the OP's link is not their Multi-stage foam performance filter (which is not offered for hondas anyways), but one of their standard paper type filters instead. I would be very interested in using this type of performance drop-in filter if SPOON's $130 version wasn't our only choice... </TD></TR></TABLE>

There's Monster, and Comptech and I think ITG makes something that can be retrofitted somewhat easily.

 

We use those foam filters in our 4 wheelers...

 

I run the Comptech and oil it with K&N oil. The inside of the filter (it has two layers of foam with different densities) has never been at all dirty, and it's covered in K&N oil.

 

I love seeing all the guys running a boosted car with just a intake horn, or no filter at all.
alot more air, with no filter.....hmmm how much faster will that wear the motor out?

or how about leaving the valve cover vent tube off? that works better than the K&N

aftermarket foam =

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RagingAngel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

There's Monster, and Comptech and I think ITG makes something that can be retrofitted somewhat easily.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

where can you find "monster" filters?????

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RagingAngel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There's Monster, and Comptech and I think ITG makes something that can be retrofitted somewhat easily.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You wouldn't happen to know any links? Aparantly Comptech doesn't make them for EG air-boxes, it looks like ITG makes one, but I can't find any US retailers, and I get nothing when I search for "Monster air-filters"...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RagingAngel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

There's Monster, and Comptech and I think ITG makes something that can be retrofitted somewhat easily.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

FYI Comptech is made by UNI filters.

I always liked then K&N actually used to advertise that it would filter better when the filter was dirty

 

***edit*** I get what your saying now. I think it was the word "then" that threw me off...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MOUNTAINGARAGE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I love seeing all the guys running a boosted car with just a intake horn, or no filter at all.
alot more air, with no filter.....hmmm how much faster will that wear the motor out? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Bah. A little dust never hurt anything.

I do run an el-cheapo K&N style filer. It's red. Well, mostly black now.

 

Wasnt this just posted in GDD? And how is this ITR specific?

 

I wonder if they oiled the K&N. How much oil was used if they oiled it?

It seems that since they were on a "crusade" to prove that aftermarket filters are inferior, the test was not very objective. A test such as this needs to be done by someone who doesn't have any biased opinions about the products they are testing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mythias &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wasnt this just posted in GDD? And how is this ITR specific?</TD></TR></TABLE>


Its not ITR specific because the filter does not not say "JDM ITR" on it
The reason why its ITR specific because a majority of people use these filters especially ITR owners....thats real sad that I have to explain this to you

 

i use k&n filter too pretty interesting.

 

After looking up some part numbers, it is clear that the AMSOIL filter used in this particular test is in fact their Two Stage Foam air filter. This puzzles me because I saw a similar test a few months ago that put the AMSOIL foam filter way ahead of the competition in dirt capacity & just under the flow capability of the K&N. This test tells a very different story...

I'll try to find a link...

 

a dude named richard holdener wroth the book; "how to build HONDA horsepower"
in that book, thers a lot of dyno runs. with and without diffrent air intakes and filters

 

After looking into it more, I'm switching back to the paper Acura filter. 1-2whp isn't worth what I perceive as increased risk.

 

A few years ago, I was talking to one of the Techline folks who work at Acura HQ. These are the folks whose responsibilities include helping dealer service departments when they aren't sure how to fix a problem, keeping track of problem frequencies, and identifying root causes of problems. He told me that some mods (e.g. exhaust, headers) pretty much never cause engine problems, but they've seen quite a few engine failures whose cause they traced to dirt allowed into the engine by aftermarket air filters (no brand names mentioned).

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">After looking into it more, I'm switching back to the paper Acura filter. 1-2whp isn't worth what I perceive as increased risk.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I concluded the same thing and switched back (on my NSX) right after I heard that...

 

i have also heard of oil on K&N filters coating the exposed grid on a mass airflow sensor and giving the computer false readings. i have heard of this in some ford trucks causing transmission failure.