YES I SEARCHED, but couldn't quite find the info i was looking for. with ebay cone filters, like the ones that come with the cheapo short-ram, it seems that people agree that a real k&n will flow more. is my car at any risk because i'm running this cheap filter? it's on my girlfriend's accord, and i'm just worried that maybe it won't filter as well, can dust getting through damage the engine? will a real k&n allow more air as well as protect the engine better? should i just clean and lube the filter with k&n lube and go on with my life? i'm asking because i don't know. thanks!

 

In general you can't get greater airflow through the same size air filter without sacrificing filter efficiency. Dust gets into the cylinders and you end up burning oil beacause of the damage. That's why I avoid K&N or 'cone' type filters. It's not worth the risk to me. But that's just me. Do (of course) whatever you wish.

In any case, keep the K&N clean and lubed.

 

the oil burning thing is really what i was wondering. so once the damage has been done, it's been done, right? there's no undoing it without a rebuild...?

 

Dude, it's a 12 year old accord... it's not going to matter. Leave the filter on.

 

WATCH your filter... I had a cheap filter on a CAI a year or so ago, and the damn filter actually fell off. The part that attaches to the pipe was still there, but the filter element itself just fell off. Not good.

 

yikes! well this 12 year old accord never burned oil until the past year, which is when the cheapo short-ram went on, that's why i'm worried/asking.