[MagicRat]

I have been using K&N filters since 1982, on many of my cars and bikes.

For an otherwise-stock vehicle in the stock airbox, I do not think they are worth it. K&N filters do not filter as well as OEM-type paper filters, (especially after a few washes) regardless of what K&N says.

A few years ago, as a test, I spread a thin layer of grease on the choke blade of a couple of carbureted engines I had, then drove them about 1000 miles, both with an OEM filter and a K&N.

With the OEM filter, the grease layer was virtually clean. The K&N filter allowed dirt and dust past the filter. Some of it stuck to the grease layer and was obvious to see. The extra dirt contributes to accelerated engine wear.

I think K&N filters are great for modified engines, where the extra flow can be used, or for cars that are only driven on clean, clear days. They are also great for custom air intake systems where the filter must be made compact to fit in tight spaces.

However, for the stock daily driver, which gets tons of miles driven, under all kinds of dirty conditions, a stock filter is better, so long as it is changed regularly.