K&N Engineering
K&N Engineering, Inc. (also known simply as "K&N") is a manufacturer of air filters, cold air intake systems, oil filters, performance parts, and other related products.[1] K&N manufactures over 12,000 parts for various makes and models of cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, ATVs, industrial applications and more. Founded in 1969, K&N is headquartered in Riverside, California, in a complex of 10 buildings comprising nearly 400,000 square feet.[2] K&N also operates facilities in England, the Netherlands, and China.[1][3] K&N is owned by Goldman Sachs.[4]
Founded | 1969 |
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History
K&N was founded by Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald in 1963.[1] The name K&N came from the first letters in the founders' first names. Johnson and McDonald sold motorcycles and motorcycle parts and supported a K&N factory race team. Air filters soon became the primary focus of the company. In the late 1980s, K&N introduced a bolt-on air intake kit to replace the factory air box and air filter. K&N also released a line of oil filters with a stamped hex to accept a standard wrench for installation and removal. K&N has maintained very active involvement in racing and motorsports throughout its history, including the NASCAR Pro Series East and West,[5] and the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series.[6]
Racing
In February 2002, K&N entered the 24 Hours of Daytona race where up-and-coming driver, Joey Scarallo, was invited to be a driver.
Criticism
K&N's claims for their air filters have been the subject of some controversy, with some 3rd-party tests finding that K&N's cotton gauze filters are less efficient and let more dirt into the engine than factory-equipment paper filters, and that they become increasingly restrictive as they are coated with particulates.[7] However, other independent testing has shown that K&N filters provide a level of protection against particles that is comparable to or better than OEM filters.[8] All standard air filters become more airflow-restrictive as they collect contaminants, but efficiency typically increases for the majority of a filter’s service life.[9]
There are also concerns with oiled air filters being used on modern engines that use MAF sensors; a MAF sensor may get coated by oil and not function as intended. This is in contrast to older engine designs that use carburetors or AFM type sensors.[10]
References
- "Company Overview of K&N Engineering, In". Bloomberg Business Week. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- Administrator, Spirit. "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AND MASTER ENTREPRENEUR HONORS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE 2012 SPIRIT OF THE ENTREPRENEUR GALA!". Spirit Awards IE. Spirit News. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- Diaconu, Cristina. "K&N Engineering Enters China E-Commerce Market". Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine. Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- "K&N Engineering". New Value Capital. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
- Dirt Racing Report, 14 March 2013 Archived 10 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- Spicer, A (2008). "Comparative ISO 5011 Efficacy Tests of Nine Automotive Engine Air Filters". Testand Corporation. Cite journal requires
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(help) - Motorvate DIY. "K&N Filter Dirt Test: G37/370z". YouTube. Motorvate DIY. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- Ptak, T.J.; Richberg, Puenpit; Vasseur, Thierry (March 5, 2001). "Discriminating Tests for Automotive Engine Air Filters". SAE Technical Paper Series. 1. doi:10.4271/2001-01-0370. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- "P0172 System too rich code caused by K&N or other oiled filters (contaminated MAF) | RTS - Your Total BMW Enthusiast". Retrieved 2019-10-16.