K&N Engineering is the worlds leading manufacturer of washable performance air filters and air intake systems. K&N is a world class filtration company selling air filters, oil filters, and air intakes in over 30 countries. K&N sells over 5,000 products designed for cars, trucks, motorcycles, engines, and industrial applications. From their Million Mile Warranty to their Consumer Protection Pledge, K&N stands behind their products and their consumers 100%. The distinctive K&N logo represents performance from one of the original performance companies
For over 50 years, K&N® has been an industry-leader in automotive filtration and technology—offering products to increase performance, protection, and longevity in thousands of vehicle applications for consumers worldwide.
In the early 1960s, two motorcycle racers, Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald (K&N), developed a ground-breaking new idea for an air filter—one that could perform under the demands of dusty, dirty off-road environments. After experimenting with numerous types of filter media, they discovered that an oiled cotton design allowed the filter to not only capture contaminants very efficiently, but also allowed it to be washed and reused, and the original K&N® High-Flow Air Filter™ was born. Five decades later, K&N® is still innovating industry-leading filtration technology, and offers outstanding protection for everything from top-fuel dragsters to commuter vehicles across the globe.
HISTORY
K&N was founded in Riverside, California in the early 1960s by Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald. Ken and Norm (K&N) sold motorcycles and motorcycle parts and supported a large K&N factory race team. This racing experience identified a need for better performing air filters. In 1969, K&N invented the reusable high flow cotton air filter. K&N air filters demonstrated great performance and durability, and manufacturing these air filters soon became the primary focus of the company. The company grew steadily and expanded product lines. In the late 1980s K&N invented the concept of a bolt-on performance air intake kit to replace the factory airbox and air filter. K&N also released a line of innovative Wrench-Off oil filters. K&N has continued to develop and improve these products and produces air filters and related products for cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles, boats, watercraft, heavy duty class 6-8 trucks, agricultural and earth-moving equipment, outdoor power equipment, and other applications. K&N has maintained very active involvement in racing and motorsports throughout its history, and has supplied championship-winning teams in most forms of motorsport. This racing heritage and involvement helps to develop better products for all types of vehicles and engines.
1952
Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald are both avid dirt-track racers in Southern California, and meet for the first time
1957
Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald decide to go into business together, and open a motorcycle shop in Loma Linda, California
1969
Ken & Norm start developing a brand-new filter design—which would later become the iconic K&N High-Flow Air Filter™. K&N as a filter company is officially born.
1988
K&N introduces the first Wrench-Off oil filter
1992
K&N releases its first cold air intake system
2005
Carl Judice reaches 1,000,000 miles in his 1998 Chevy with one K&N air filter
2014
K&N releases its first washable cabin air filter
2016
K&N becomes the Official Filter of NHRA
2017
The K&N built and operated Mustang race car wins the American Iron Championship
2019
K&N celebrates 50 years in business, thanks to loyal customers like you!
K&N releases a premium washable home air filter line
2021
K&N introduces Filtration for the Future and gives their iconic logo a facelift.
WHAT MAKES K&N THE BEST IN THE AFTERMARKET?
QUALITY STANDARDS
All K&N products undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they adhere to demanding quality standards. Company stand behind our products with some of the most extensive warranties in the aftermarket.
HORSEPOWER TESTING
Horsepower and torque claims are based on testing of an actual vehicle on a dynamometer before and after a K&N product has been installed. Horsepower/torque testing is performed on Dyno Jet 248 and SuperFlow 880E dynamometers, which measure actual brake horsepower and torque at the wheel(s) receiving power from the drive train. For most intake systems, dynamometer charts are available on the individual product pages under “Resources”.
AIRFLOW TESTING
K&N performs all airflow testing on a SuperFlow Corporation SF-1020 flow bench. The SF-1020 is a computerized flow bench capable of measuring airflow rates up to 1020 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at test pressures of up to 65 inches of water. To read the details of air filter testing protocol, please visit the airflow testing protocol page.
WHY K&N?
INNOVATIONS
K&N is the home of the original red oiled air filter. In the early 1960s, two motorcycle racers, Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald (K&N), developed a ground-breaking new idea for an oiled air filter. Five decades later, K&N® is still innovating industry-leading filtration technology, and offers outstanding protection for everything from top-fuel dragsters to commuter vehicles across the globe. Thank you for helping company reach 50 years in business!
IMPROVE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE
K&N premium aftermarket performance products help your car, truck, motorcycle, dirt bike, or ATV perform its best—helping you obtain improved power and an enhanced driving experience from your vehicle. You’ll enjoy increased horsepower, torque, and acceleration—all from the vehicle you already own.
LOVE YOUR CAR, LOVE THE ENVIRONMENT
Over 100 million disposable air filters end up in landfills each year. Choosing a washable, reusable product that lasts for the life of your vehicle helps to reduce unnecessary waste. Instead of replacing disposable filters over and over, you can easily restore your reusable K&N® filter’s performance using our specially-designed cleaners. Check out How to Clean Your K&N Air Filter.
PROTECT CRITICAL SYSTEMS
When using a poorly-designed disposable air filter, dust, dirt, and contaminants can make their way into your engine—causing damage and premature wear. In addition, an inefficient oil filter can allow oil contaminants to build up within the engine, reducing its working lifespan. K&N performance protection products are designed to keep contaminants where they belong—out of your engine.
PRODUCTS AND FACILITIES
In addition to performance air filters, K&N® manufactures a variety of other protection and performance products, including air intake systems, oil filters, fuel filters, cabin air filters, and home air filters. Over the course of five decades, we’ve built a reputation for exceptional quality and customer service that millions of customers trust.
K&N is headquartered in Riverside, California in a complex of 10 buildings comprising nearly 400,000 square feet. K&N also operates facilities in England and the Netherlands. K&N facilities include engineering, product design, manufacturing, warehousing, test facilities, purchasing, sales, customer service, marketing, and corporate offices. Manufacturing includes air filter production, CNC machine shop, tube bending and welding, powder coating, roto-molding, carbon fiber production, air intake assembly, packaging, and related fabrication. Most K&N air filters are produced on custom machines designed and built at K&N. Products are designed using CAD/CAM tools and tested using onsite test facilities including dynamometers, filtration test stands, flow benches, vibration test equipment, and related equipment. The facility operates with sophisticated production control and warehouse management systems to improve efficiency of production and maintain high quality products. Products are produced under the K&N name as well for numerous other private brands.
K&N MISSION STATEMENT
Seek out and dominate traditional, modern and yet undiscovered markets for high performance, high quality, long life filtration and air management products. Support these markets with an unsurpassed positive experience from the point of first impression throughout the customer life.
Core Purpose: To Provide a High Performance Experience for our Customers and Ourselves. We are committed to Working Together as a Team Toward Achieving a Unified Vision Through:
Quality Products that Perform as Promised
People Helping People Enjoy their Lives More
Honesty, Integrity, and Respect for People
Innovation, Creativity, and Personal Development
Living with Passion, Commitment and Enthusiasm
Just Focus and Do It
K&N ASSOCIATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
K&N participates in industry associations, community organizations, and motorsports in a variety of ways including the following:
#1 Air Filter in NASCAR
NASCAR K&N Pro Series Title Sponsor
NHRA Horsepower Challenge Sponsor
Official Filter of Supercross
Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association (SEMA)
Performance warehouse Association (PWA)
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA)
Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA)