|
Before I go any further, please understand that I'm not bashing, but want to help keep you from falling prey to the "demons" of ignorance that lurk in the dark world out there (paraphrasing Sagan - Really good book). They exist to take your money and whatever else they can get from you, like political allegiance, obedience, etc. And they will give you nothing in return.
Can everyone you have talked to provide you with solid data proving that they have gotten good results? If none of them can, then they may be evaluating the differences the filter made subjectively. Human perception is well known to be pretty fickle in this area. The data they provide should also include data on how well the K&N filters crud, and engine longevity using the K&N vs. factory filters. Unless you are just going to sacrifice an engine for the sake of winning one race, which is done, but on the track only.
An engine is an engine, Volvo, Mazda (including rotary), Ferrari, whatever. **If everything else is the same**, they are all going to respond to changing to a K&N filter the same way. In other words, performance-wise not at all, but likely with increased cylinder/rotor wear. You have to take into consideration ALL of the other factors involved too. These other guys you have talked to, are their engines all stock? What mods are involved? Is the stock design limited by its intake runners and system other than the filter (in which case removing the filter completely would do no good), etc. Also, if more than one or more mods were made at the same time they installed the K&N, how do they know that the filter made the difference?
Do these guys understand all the subtlties of tuning an intake system, cross-sectional area vs various airflow parameters, effect of lower intake resistance on torque and hp curves, effects of changes in air flow velocity, etc?
Also, sorry to say this, but some people may be reluctant to admit that they dropped a load of cash on something that is not worth it, so they, perhaps unconsiously, make believe that it was worth it. IMHO BMW, Porsche, Lexus, the personal computer industry, K&N, and many other companies have made lots of money exploiting this characteristic of human personalities.
Before you risk damaging any engine, or believing any claim from anybody, get strict and rigorous proof.
--
Scott Cook - 1991 745T, 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE, 1986 Toyota Tercel (Don't laugh, it is reliable, faithful AND gets 41 mpg!)
|
