I have been surfing the vette forum and have seen comments like "a paper air filter will filter out more dirt particles than the K+N replacement." Hence some owners were hesitant to install the K+N filter in their cars. Since I just put one in my 04 ZO6 I became worried and E-mailed K+N asking if the K+N was as good as the paper for both filtering and air flow. Below is their answer.
From K+N : "We design our air filters to provide superior filtration of the contaminants that can harm your engine while maximizing the airflow characteristics of the filter in question. The ability of an air filter to protect your engine is generally measured in accordance with testing procedure ISO 5011. We subject a sample of our filter designs to this test procedure using Coarse Test Dust, which includes particles ranging in size from less than 5.5 microns to 176 microns. As a point of reference, a human hair is approximately 50 microns in diameter. The result of the above test procedure is a specific air filtration efficiency number. This efficiency number represents the percentage of test dust retained by the filter and thereby kept out of an engine. Our goal is to design our air filters to achieve maximum airflow while targeting overall filtration efficiency at 98%.

Because no two air filters are alike, the specific airflow and overall filtration efficiency will vary depending on the filter in question. However, you can rest assured that each air filter we sell, has been designed to achieve high air flow while providing superior filtration."

The above answer sounded good but did not answer my question. That is "do the paper filters remove more dirt particles." I then asked them to state in words that the K+N filter meets manufacture filtering requirements. Their answer :

"Yes the ISO5011 test makes sure of that. Our filters always meet and surpass the factory requirements."

So if you believe what they saying the K+N filter allows better air flow and meets or surpasses filtering requirement. You can get the whole story on their web site-http://www.knfilter.com/filter_facts.htm.

Any comments?

 

I've seen on this Forum your exact concerns. It was a post of test results. It showed a paper filter flowed more air, but the K&N did a better job of filtering.

Personally, I think the K&N is WAY overrated and WAY overpriced. You can buy a lot of paper filters for the cost of just ONE K&N.

Don't get me wrong. The K&N is a good filter. I use one on my Harley. For my 'Vette, I'd just rather toss in a paper one when one is needed. Also, no worry about the filtering oil cloging up the sensors.

 

Bought my 99 used and it had K&N. First thing after getting home--throw it away and trust in factory engineers to provide best all-around everything to keep their jobs. Not the first time I have bought a car with one and threw them away also. I go back to the old oil-bath air cleaners--glad the messy things are gone and will not go backwards to oily, messy filters. Also in Calif. the smog examiners would not accept my word that K&N is acceptable here. Needed much documentation--why bother!!

 

I'll go with a stock Delco. Why would I want a messy filter that lets more air and dirt in my engine..............and pay extra for the privilege?

 

Would these be the same engineers that designed that foolproof column lock system?

 

There will never be a consensus of opinion on this topic...
I've used K&N gauze filters for years and never found "dirt" in my intake or oil fouling my MAF.
Common sense should tell you to clean the oiled gauze filter regularly, whereas many install them for thousands of miles w/o maintenance.
Many people over oil their filters, then experience the fouled MAF issue.
How many after market "performance" cold air intakes or cooler air intakes use paper filters?
I'd agree that K&N has become way overpriced though. They're also not a customer friendly company to deal with.
I switched to S&B FILTERS. They're a small company that offers oem drop in filters or custom one off filters for your specific application and dimensions. K&N won't do that! They also offer their filters in different media colors and top cap colors or finishes. K&N won't do that! Their cone filters are concave so they have more filtering media and allow more air to enter. Their prices are better than K&N and they're a great little company to deal with. Their filters are used by many after market companies.

 

I agree the K&N filters are expensive but I look at it this way. I change my air filter every ~ every 10,000 miles. A paper filter for my DD cost ~$10. At 70,000 miles I have saved ~$30 by using that K&N filter.

 

Good one!

 

I have a K&N conical shaped air filter, actually have two. I take it out and clean mine every 6 months or so. I Do not oil them. and replace one with the other.

If ppl think paper filters are so cheap, and they are why dont you change them once a year?? Take it out and look at all the dirt in there. You will be surprised how much dirt is gets in the filter and how it robs performance.