" First let me say that I have total respect for the advice Jerry
gives us and, no doubt, K&N filters do allow oil to migrate
on to our MAF'* wires. Also I have no argument that, as Jerry
has stated, a K&N filter of the same size as a given paper
element, does not produce more power.

That said, let me make a few simple observations:

1) I, like many of us, had tended towards the idea of going back
to a paper element instead of my K&N filter - until, I happened to
bring the subject up to Scott, an engineer at AED. He, as it so
happens, had run some tests on various filter elements on their
flow bench - the discouraging result was that he found that paper
elements clog quickly when exposed to dust and dirt. Whereas
the K&N doesn't.

2) I have used K&N style filters for many, many more years than
I care to admit, and have not had MAF problems on my 'Birds with
them. I have no doubt, however that very, very light oil migration
has/is taking place and that occasional MAF wire cleaning would
be a good idea.

3) If you choose to use a K&N style filter I have observed a couple
of guidelines that apparently kept me and my MAFS out of trouble,
namely:

4) Clean your K&N style filter as rarely as possible - if it doesn't
have a 1/4" of gumbo on it, you probably don't need to clean it.
They may not look pretty when "dirty", but they still flow very well.
Also, cleaning breaks down and eventually mats the cotton "fluff"
of the element and finally kills it'* free breathing qualities.

5) After proper cleaning and drying, oil the element LIGHTLY, it
should still look splotchy. If you have a nice even, deep red coat
of oil on the cotton, you've put WAY too much on.

6) Clean off the inner edges of the filter'* frame and stand the
element up and let the oil wick throughout the cotton. If after
a few hours, the element still is splotchy, then LIGHTLY hit
the dry spots.

7) If, however, after standing those few hours after your initial
oiling, you find that ANY oil has seeped onto the inner edges of
the filter frame, you sprayed TOO MUCH oil on the element in
the first place, and you'll have to clean and dry the element all
over again - before respraying.

Once you have your filter oiled properly and reinstalled, try not
to go out and immediately hit WOT - give the element time to
"dry" out a bit, slowly, and not dump a load of oil on your MAF all
at once.

Please remember, these observations are meant only to provide
you with a possible alternative. If you have come to the decision
to use a paper element, then by all means, do so. Just be aware
that you may need to change your filter often, especially if you
happen to run your car into or through a dusty environment.

Hope this helps,

Mager Thom