K&N Air filter vs Paper: Test results

[crazy longhorn]

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

[stynchrr]

I would like to know more about the oil used. My dad swears that there is a difference in oil used. Just a thought.

[CMars45000]

Originally Posted by bryanw1968

What DIFFERENCE did you notice from the royal purple?

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...

[Foosified]

stick a quart of royal purple and a quart of regular oil in the freezer after an hour or two see which one pours easier... then you'll know one reason why RP is better.

[Orange]

Originally Posted by brak

That shouldn't matter.

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.

Much information on oil filters here:
Read the entire site for interesting stuff!
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html

[Zonaman]

How's this Royal Purple stack up to Mobil 1? Would it help significantly more with bearing wear?

Thanks.

[Orange]

BTW - Here's the main page to that link I posted earlier...
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

Man, it's been a while since I was on that site.

[cacauba]

i know this was a thread about k&n but now that we are on the topic....AMSOIL! it was the first full syn oil on the market (back in 1930? something) living in fortcollins, co for the last 3 1/2" years i can atest to the fact that it pours smooooooth no matter the outside temp. not only that but it's a little more expensive that mobil 1, royal purple and the like but they offer 25,000 mile or once every year oil changes!!! they just redid their oil filters to 25,000 mile also (previously they where 12,500 mile) i have run it in every worthy (some leaked to much) engine and have absolutey no complaints. i have 36,000 miles on my 91 silverado with a new crate motor and 35,000 on the family van. i also ran 91,000 mile on the pontiac before i traded it in when the tranny died. other than break in on the 91 i have never lost a drop of oil and changed it according to the 12,500 or the new 25,000 mile schedule. i drive them all hard and again have never had a problem whatsoever.

[stllookn]

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.

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by stllookn

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.

Can we not assume that a synthetic like Mobil 1 would have a consistant particle content out of the bottle?

[Jayman931]

Originally Posted by andyt

The only problem I had with a K&N filter was on my Dodge Cummins diesel. The turbo would suck the oil out of the filter and gunk up the blades on the turbine wheel. After I found this happening, I went back with a big paper filter. Just my .02.
AndyT

You really should get a oil "catch can" for all turbo applications...then...no oil in intake or in turbo...

[lowrollin70gmc]

The K&N oil on my (now former) Tacoma fouled up the MAF sensor. Electrical contact cleaner has kept it clean ever since, but it put me back $200 for a new sensor. With carbs I don't think that would be a problem.

[PICKMUP]

When did K&N air filter become so BAD? They have been hailed in every publication for decades! Supposedly tested and proven. Did something change?

[cooters]

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

[bryanw1968]

Has anyone ever personally done a dyno run with a K&N and with a paper filter on the same motor??

[WorkinLonghorn]

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?

I say nice try but you should have at least used the same brand oil filter and installed a new one at the start of the test.This test says more about oil filtration than air filtration.