yes i realize this thread is really old, but didn't want to start a new one, and wanted to tap into a few knowledgeable folks that were posting to this thread.
So i am a believer in science and test results.
I have also been using the K&N air filters, believing their marketing (for a while) and also some wrongly applied "logic"
IE if they got their start for dirt bike racing one would figure their filters, filter out enough dirt to protect a motor.
---- that was in the past.
But here's a real world situation where maybe i should use one? or maybe i should never use one.
Rally racing. I've been doing rally for about 6 years and I've gone through 3 motors in that time. And i had been using K&N Air filters.
I got all of my motors from a junk yard or dismantler and had the expectation that I'd probably only see 2 years of life from one.
Sometimes after 100 miles of racing you are only seconds away from your nearest competitor.
Since i expect to kill a motor every 2 years, Should i use a K&N air filter because maybe that slight slight decrease in flow resistance will gain me 1-2 seconds over 100 miles of flat our racing.
Yes it lets in more dirt, and I'm in the WORST possible conditions for dirt, so i'm not letting in 1 gram extra, probably 4-5. (wow that's sorta scary to think about) ...
OR should i switch to AC Delco, which might cost me a win . though near the end of the life of the motor maybe it will give me a win because of reduced engine wear ?
for a junkyard motor that sees lets say 1500 miles of the most abusive treatment possible, do you think saving the motor from grams of extra dirt is going to prevent it from Dieing so soon ?
I used to race on a 1.8L subaru motor. i've switched to a 2.5 , both are N/A
i recently switched to a better air intake , that tested on a dyno compared to the stock air intake (same day) had me jump from 113 hp to 125! i also went from 137 tq to 142. (i had a K&N filter in both intakes stock motor with an upgraded Cam, full race exhaust after the stock header )
stock air intake was a 98 design, and combined with my after market Cam it was limiting the engine.
but the real question, Is this a situation where i should use K&N knowing it lets in more dirt, because my goal is to win races.
Bumping an old thread to add a new question nearly 100 posts in isn't going to get you the help you want. Most people will simply see the original post and respond to that without noticing the date. Those who do notice the date will often only comment about how this is a "necro" thread (that is, a thread raised from the dead) without directly responding to your question.
The best thing to do is to post a new thread with your question about the tradeoffs between flow and filtration.
Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator
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