What I got from K&N....

Keith

"Blum, Richard" <RichardB@knfilters.com> wrote:
>
> Dear customer,
>     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 in 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 Coarse 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
>
>                         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 oiled brand of
> filter the oil does NOT come off of.
>      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 the filters used in the Apache
> helicopters used in Desert Storm and the US Marine Corps new Osprey
> tilt-rotor aircraft.  If they work in these conditions they will work for
> you.
>           Thanks for writing, Rick