Nicely done & graphed air filter tests. It's a little dated, but non the less interesting info that I've posted links to over the years, but Spicer has moved his hosting , so here is a new link to the test.
ISO 5011 Duramax Air Filter Test Report - MotoWiki

 

Thank you, Pawpaw, for this information. I'm about due to change my air filters in both my 08 Ranger and Milan. This is useful information. Too bad that the test did not include the Motorcraft air filters.

 

i'm afraid to even look at my air filter think it's a fram... ughh..


interesting k&n seemed to score so poorly...

 

Why is that interesting? Freer flow means larger pores, larger pores means more dirt gets through. Its just the way it is.

 

isn't it a better idea to have less dirt reach the engine? meaning for general purposes (not looking for more power etc..)

 

I think the inference is to trust the mfgr to know what to spec for his vehicles & that means he knows how to size the air intake & air filter, so that the engine isn't starved at any throttle setting/rpm range that normal folks will likely be operating at on their stock engine, over the service period.
Numerous dyno pulls on stock engines show that at the normal operating range most folks operate in, the stock air intake isn't restrictive, so use the specified Motorcraft air filters on our factory cold air intake system with confidence.

I can get the Motorcraft filters at my local Motorcraft Distributor for less than Wally World, so thats what my Ford rides get.

On the Cummins site a few years ago, they noted that those using oiled foam, or cotton gauze air filters, would have warranty for scuffed cyls denied & put up photos of scuffed cyl engines from folks that had been using such.

Too bad that the Purolator air filter was found to have a defective seal, so its results got corrupted & even so it did pretty well.

 

Well spoken. I use Motorcraft filters one mine sometimes, depending on price. Otherwise I use Wix or Purolator. I avoid Fram.

 

Does this mean I should chunk the little K&N on my 87 Subaru Brat. It has been up there nearly 14 years and the little bugger has nearly 230k miles. Okay maybe only have 100k on the K&N. Know a guy who bought one of those fast SS Chevies back in the 90's. He installed a K&N with about 10k miles and sold it years ago with 165k and no problems. Maybe, cause I am no expert, that super fine dust that gets through is not as big of a deal as we think. Or maybe if we stick to the road and not the desert. Just wondering. Kind of like if we could have absolute oil filtering, would we have enough flow?