K & N FIPK, are they overrated....?

[CREWZIN]

Neither the K&N FIPK nor the air box modification will affect the warranty at all.

[Oldschoolpaulie]

Very good.

[Hooligan]

It doesn't!!!

[mileshuff]

You'll get about the same mpg and performance. Possibly more fine dust into the engine if you live in areas such as the desert southwest.

[Oldschoolpaulie]

Originally Posted by mileshuff

You'll get about the same mpg and performance. Possibly more fine dust into the engine if you live in areas such as the desert southwest.

Can you elaborate?

[mileshuff]

Originally Posted by Oldschoolpaulie

Can you elaborate?

The K&N filter allows 50% more very fine dust through than a typical conventional filter. This fact was shown on K&N's own website for years in their specification listings but since has been removed.

I'll have to find the online independent filter testing that was done that proved K&N's do not filter fine particles as well as a conventional filter. They tested numerous filters and K&N ranked among the worst for a variety of tests. Wix, Napa Gold and a few others ranked top.

[CREWZIN]

But lets not forget the other side of this. K&N has been around a long time with myself and millions of others users not having any adverse effects from their filters.

I've used K&N on cars I've owned for the last 30 years including my 21 year old Corvette which had a K&N from new and has 149,000 miles. When a lower end gasket started leaking and the pan was pulled the mechanic was amazed how clean it was and compression almost as good as new.

As you said, maybe in the Southwest where the dust is everywhere MAYBE you might run into a problem over a very long time. You'd also want to clean and re-oil the K&N way more often than what's recommended.

I did read the story on K&N and also on oil filters and for that very reason wouldn't use FRAM filters if they were giving them away, But I did use them, for a long time on high mileage cars with no ill effects. The K&N I'm sticking with.

[mileshuff]

Here is one excellent independent testing of several filters. The article points out that the air flow between the best and the worst is insignificant to provide any real gains for the average consumer auto. While the K&N's filtration isn't horrible the old fashioned paper was still better.

Air Filtration Test

I'll have to do some more digging for a more conclusive test showing filtration of varying sized particles. Pretty interesting stuff with the K&N consistantly ranking among the worst compared with Wix, Amsoil, Napa Gold and others.

[Oldschoolpaulie]

I was more interested in someone articulating that the K&N offers no more performance or mileage.

[crusierdad76]

OK Ill tell you that on my 06 it made it sound a little better, but as far as millage and get up and go NOTHING but you know it looks cooler and i like it so for me it works