Here is the info regarding that "test":
(I wrote to K+N after reading it)---
Dear customer,
That is full on made up and not true at all. It is at least 5
years
old and makes its way around the internet like "free vacation" ads and
other
urban myths. The internet can be a good source of information but one
must
realize it is a free speech forum and can have opinions not facts or
truthful statements.
Our filters are tested by an outside, independent laboratory.
They
have been proven to stop at least 99% of particles on a SAE dust test.
This
test uses particles as low as the 0 - 5 micron range and goes up to 20
microns. For comparison, a paper filter also stops 99% on the same
test and
the OEM minimum standard is 96%. Foam is generally the worst media
with a
typical efficiency rating of 75 - 85%. To get higher ratings, the foam
must
be more dense and therefore way more restrictive. The "tack"
characteristic
of a K&N allows for increase filtration without loss of flow as well.
The testing procedure used is SAE J-726 using ISO Test Dust. This
test
is the standard of the air filter industry. The test procedure consists
of
flowing air through the filter at a constant rate (airflow rate is
determined by the application) while feeding test dust into the air
stream
at a rate of 1 gram per cubic meter of air.
As the filter loads with dust the pressure drop across the filter
is
increased to maintain the prescribed airflow rate. The test is
continued
until the pressure drop increases 10" H2O above the initial restriction
of
the clean element (in this case .78" to 10.78" H2O). At this point the
test
is terminated. The dirty filter element is then weighed. This weight is
compared to the clean element weight to determine the total Dust
Capacity.
The amount of dust retained by the filter is divided by the total
amount of
dust fed during the test to determine the Cumulative Efficiency.
The K&N filter achieved the following results:
Dust Capacity: 305 grams
K&N Cumulative Efficiency: 99.05 %
Holding the filter to the light is useless, pin holes are normal.
That
is what makes a K&N filter. There are actually hundreds of microscopic
fibers that cross these holes and when treated with oil, capture and
hold
the very fine particles. On the same hand, they allow the filter to
flow
more air than paper or foam. The filter is 4 ply cotton gauze unlike
some
competitors synthetic material filters. The synthetics do not have the
very
small fibers that natural cotton does. Also, the oil can be pulled off
of a
foam filter contaminating electronic sensors. It will absorb into
cotton
and stay in the media. In fact, Honda and Toyota only recommend K&N
filters
when using aftermarket high flow filters as K&N is the only brand of
filter
the oil does NOT come off of. They will not cover a failed sensor if
foam
filters were used.
We got started over 30 years ago making filters for motorcycles
and off
road racers. The filters did so well that these guys wanted them for
their
cars and trucks. We started making filters for these applications and
here
we are today. If they did not work, we would not still be here and
growing
every year.
We now make filters for Chrysler/Mopar, Ford Motorsports,
Edelbrock,
Rotax Engines, and Harley Davidson. We come as original equipment on
the
2000 Ford Mustang Cobra-R. We even made filters for the Apache
helicopters
used in Desert Storm because of maintenance problems with the original
paper
design. Now we are on the new unmanned reconnaissance plane, the
Predator,
being used in Afghanistan. If they work in these conditions they will
work
for you. Links to the filtration tests are on our web site at
http://www.knfilters.com/images/factstab1.gif and
http://www.knfilters.com/images/factstab2.gif
Thanks for writing, Rick
Linear Mode
