I thought, like myself, you guys may be interested in how K&N comes up with its HP claims. My cheif concern was that they left the hood up during dyno sessions, leaving the open element filter completly exposed to the coolest air possible, which is not how the filter will be normally used. This is a copy/paste of my email to K&N and their response.
I have K&N filters on many of my vehicles and have no problem believing that K&N have likely tested and researched their air filters and systems more than any other manufacturer. I also do not have a problem believing that your filters and intake systems are among the best if not "The Best".
I do however have a special interest in your power and torque testing. I have rarely seen photos of the actual testing session, but the few photos I have seen (I believe it was Horsepower TV who aired the testing of the K&N FIPK on the new 03 Cobra and also one the major magazines had a 2 page article with the same dyno results as you claim for that application) show the hood is lifted completely. If this is the case, that seems like a very unrealistic reflection of the power increases, especially when comparing a factory filter box vs. an open filter element that uses the hood as the top of its "box".
If you could please clarify for me the testing procedure, I would be most grateful. In the future it might not hurt to clarify in your advertising as well, that every step was taken to make sure the power testing was done to reflect realworld power increases.
Thank you for your time and have a great day
Response from K&N:
K&N maintains testing facilities in the USA, the UK and the Netherlands. These facilities incorporate both airflow and horsepower/torque testing capabilities. Our horsepower/torque testing is performed on wheel-based dynamometers, which measure actual brake horsepower and torque at the wheel(s) receiving power from the drive train. This is different and we believe more reliable than horsepower/torque testing done at the flywheel of an engine. Our standard horsepower/torque testing is designed to measure relative power differences on a vehicle with and without K&N products installed. We attempt to hold all other variables constant to generate a reliable measurement of changes in horsepower and torque on a vehicle before and after a K&N product is installed.
You may note, they did not address the question of the hood being up. I wonder how much this helps the numbers? Alot or just a little?
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