Substantive Evidence K and N that harmful?
 

Is there really any horror stories or proven detrimental effects of k and n drop ins other than random off the wall stories on the internet. I've heard the oil and bad filtration argument on here a million times but honestly it seems like sour grapes. Is .07 less filtration that stock really that harmful over time if you live in a heavy industrialized city with few dirt roads?

I've never seen any smoking gun that K&N oil fouls your MAF (the real concern). Never seen any legitimate advantages to them either, so I'm not going to spend the money.

I've seen many threads on here dynoing drop in filters. They seem to all net about 5whp with gains seen across most of the rev range.

I ran a K&N filter in a 93 Mustang 5.0 I owned. Never had a problem with it, and I sold the car with 193,000 miles on it and it was still going strong. I have a K&N in my 99 F250 Powerstroke, and it's got 249,000 and counting on it with zero problems also. I will mention I live down a 1/2 mile gravel driveway in South Texas, so it's gets a little dusty around here also.

Like so many products that get a bad rep, it is often user error that is really the issue. in controlled tests it is regularly shown that the K and N has superior filtration abilities, WHEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, that means you have to read the little piece of paper in the bow that tells you how to "replenish" the filter, they now give specific amount of fluid that should be used to coat the filter element as there were previous issues (user error) where too much oil on the filter would throw off the MAF calibration and require cleaning the MAF....this is not a concern if you can read and follow directions, it is also the only filter that saves you money over factory or aftermarket filters in the long run, since it is a lifetime filter.

I'm guessing you are also running one on your frs too?
:)

Ironically, no. I have an AFE Dryflow drop in. I'm trying it out.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjwBiPm2W5Q"]MAF Mystery - Part 1 of 4 - Intro & Test Results - YouTube[/ame]

There is no free lunch... The less restrictive the filter the more dirt it passes. K&N claims that they don't pass "too much dirt" and I tend to believe them although I'd like to know precisely how they determine how much dirt is "too much" and why the OEMs all disagree and use better filters.

I like mine, I noticed a near immediate improvement to throttle response, sounds a little sharper and yes I noticed some extra HP albeit subtle.

You've only got to look at the compressor blades of a turbocharger where a K&N has been fitted in-front of it....

And what does that typically show??

my guess would be pitting of the compressor wheel

Have run exclusively K&N products on multiple vehicles and had nothing but great experiences and no problems on any of them.