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11-28-2006, 10:04 PM | #1 |
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K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
I wanted to see for myself what the difference was between K&N Air filter vs Paper (NAPA). So here's what I did. I ran each filter about 5500 miles then sampled the oil (Mobil 1 10w30) and sent it to a lab for analysis. Here's the particle count results:
K&N SIZE NUMBER/ML 4 um 37960 6 um 1449 14 um 139 21 um 33 38 um 20 70 um 13 ISO 11171 CODE: 22/18/14 Paper: SIZE NUMBER/ML 4 um 419920 6 um 4860 14 um 113 21 um 75 38 um 45 70 um 30 ISO 11171 CODE: 23/19/14 If I'm reading this right, the paper filter (which actually had a few hundred less miles on it) was dirtier! Same truck, same driving conditions. Only difference: I was using a Delco oil filter on the K&N and a NAPA Gold oil filter with the paper. I was really suprised! I expected the opposite results. So it looks like the K&N is superior- at least on my truck. What say you?
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69 C-10 LWB, 350, 700r4, 3.73 posi-traction, front disc brakes. Built for the desert- She can take the heat! Vivat Rex Chevus! |
11-28-2006, 10:14 PM | #2 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Wow....
Hmmmm. I'm running a K&N air filter. This is good to see. Thanks for your efforts
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11-28-2006, 10:21 PM | #3 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
That is the first one I seens that slants towards the K&N............Have friends with diesels and it was the exact opposite.
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'72 K-20 EFI'ed 250 Inline/4spd stake body, Farm Truck '71 C-20 Cummins Diesel Powered, In storage thanks to $5.00 diesel! '69 3500 GMC 305V-6/4spd, Still under reconstruction.......... Inlines Rule! 6 soldiers standing is better than 8 laying down!!!!!!!! |
11-28-2006, 10:31 PM | #4 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
yep, every test i've seen..which were all done in controlled environments, show the K&N as being next to worthless.
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11-28-2006, 11:01 PM | #5 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Since you sent the oil in I am assuming that the particle counts are from the oil correct?
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11-29-2006, 01:40 PM | #6 | |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Quote:
I am fascinated by this. All I can say is that I'll contiune to take oil samples- this time with the same oil filter. To be sure this is not a controlled environment but it is real life, everyday, on the truck I drive. A few more tests should produce a reliable picture. I'll be sure to post results so you guys can scratch your heads along with me. One side bar. My tests showed a moderately high lead count (around 90 ppm on each test) I have around 25000 on that engine. Bearing wear I presume. I occasionaly haul a 1000 pound trailer in 100+ degree heat. Other than that, every day driving. Any ideas on slowing the wear? Thanks.
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69 C-10 LWB, 350, 700r4, 3.73 posi-traction, front disc brakes. Built for the desert- She can take the heat! Vivat Rex Chevus! Last edited by Zonaman; 11-29-2006 at 01:42 PM. |
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11-28-2006, 11:16 PM | #7 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
It appears to me that the paper filter is superior to the k&n on your truck, as the el-cheapo filter was dirtier, thus it caught more sediment and particles within your oil system.
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11-28-2006, 11:34 PM | #8 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
My daily driver goes faster and better mpg with a K & N only because my wallet is lighter.
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11-29-2006, 02:02 PM | #9 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
I've not noticed any difference in mine either in git up & go or mileage. I suppose if I dyno'd the thing I see something.
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69 C-10 LWB, 350, 700r4, 3.73 posi-traction, front disc brakes. Built for the desert- She can take the heat! Vivat Rex Chevus! |
11-29-2006, 09:11 AM | #10 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
It was the oil, not the filter element, that was sampled.
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11-28-2006, 11:47 PM | #11 | |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Quote:
My buddy works for a company near Forest City Iowa, they make oil filters. I just learned the other day, that they supply filters to all the major companies (Fram, Napa, purolator, etc), the filters come down the line, and then the outer casing get's painted to the specifications of the brand. Aparently they all use the same filter, the only difference is the paint job.
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11-29-2006, 05:57 AM | #12 | |
its all about the +6 inches
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Quote:
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11-29-2006, 12:38 PM | #13 | |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Quote:
I personally will not run a K&N air filter. Their oil filters are okay but not worth the extra money in my opinion by any means. I use Napa Gold (Wix aka afinia) on everything I own. Starting to make the switch to Royal Purple too (already switched my DD to Royal Purple and WHAT A DIFFERENCE...) just my $.02
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11-29-2006, 06:07 PM | #14 | |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Quote:
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11-29-2006, 07:33 PM | #15 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
I have run K&N's for yrs, & while I have not seen the tests on them, I was told that the filter does a better job with a layer of dirt buildup.....but does not restrict the flow much at all (dirty). In light of what I am reading, I will probably add the foam prefilter to help the situation. I dont think the cost on the K&N is too big an issue tho.....he!! for 45 or 50 bones on a 14x4, the filter is pretty much lifetime(unless you take it off & run it over with the truck)(done that before!) If you figure 5-7 bucks a pop on the paper filters, after a while that adds up.... L
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11-29-2006, 08:53 PM | #16 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Well I am using royal purple in my 96 Cherokee that has a 4.0 and it is touching the 175,000 mark... With 5w30 royal purple, it cranks easier (especially now that we are getting to the single digits at night) the tick that was present with dino oil (probably a little piston slap b/c it went away when hot with dino oil) is non existent. It idles smoother too...
I will be switching my 454 to Royal Purple in another month or so when it needs changed. That thing only has 8,000 miles on it so i am unsure of what will change...
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Project Family Values Build Thread Vehicles/Projects: -1971 C10 SWB Fleetside! Gathering parts now, will begin frame-off resto soon... Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. -Aristotle |
11-30-2006, 02:47 PM | #17 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Zonaman, A good baseline should include a sample of the oil before you run it in the engine just to see what is already there.
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02-02-2007, 04:19 PM | #18 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
the only reason royal purple make more power (according to testing ) is because it thins out emensily when heated. i have not tested it but this is what ive come across. supposed to be a bad product. I believe K&N air filters are good for dusty enviroments but they deposit oil onto sensors and causing computer grief so the car companies dont warranty problems associated with this
Last edited by cooters; 02-02-2007 at 04:22 PM. |
02-02-2007, 05:37 PM | #19 | |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Quote:
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11-30-2006, 12:55 PM | #20 | |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Quote:
Read the entire site for interesting stuff! http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html |
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11-30-2006, 01:51 PM | #21 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
How's this Royal Purple stack up to Mobil 1? Would it help significantly more with bearing wear?
Thanks.
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69 C-10 LWB, 350, 700r4, 3.73 posi-traction, front disc brakes. Built for the desert- She can take the heat! Vivat Rex Chevus! |
11-29-2006, 02:09 AM | #22 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
Interesting. Ive never really heard anything bad about K&N's before. Spent all that money for them in both trucks & had myself believing that those ugly expensive filters looked ok. Now I find out I can put a paper element back in & feel better about the filtering quality & the looks...
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11-29-2006, 02:40 AM | #23 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
I noticed a big difference in perfomance with a K&N on my 91 Silverado 350 EFI. No more bogging out on long hills in 5th gear.
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11-29-2006, 03:24 AM | #24 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
I think someone missed the point. Very interesting results! I ran K&N's on my desert racer for years. The paper air filters resulted in less time between re-ring jobs and more dirt in the inlet passages.
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'68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) |
11-29-2006, 11:37 AM | #25 |
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Re: K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results
untill i joined this forum i always went k&n. now all i hear is how bad k&n is. where did the K&N does not stop dirt come from? i hade a 5.0 mustang that ran up and down about 10 miles of sandy, red clay road daily for 3 years. i tore the motor down at 114000 miles, it was a waste of time, nothing wrong and showed almost no wear. that car had k&n on it from day 1. pkj
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