ISO 5011 Testing
Below are some frequently asked questions concerning the manner in which S&B tests its filters and type of test dust utilized. 

How does S&B conduct testing?
We test to the ISO 5011 Test Standard which is the internationally accepted test protocol for testing air filters and intake kits. Our testing compares apples to apples, so you can see how we do compared to the stock intake system. 

What type of dust is utilized?
We test with ISO Course Dust as this is the practice we have seen the large OE filter companies and auto companies for Class 1-4 vehicles utilize. Class 4 vehicles include vehicles like a Ford F450. Our experience has shown us that ISO Fine Dust, which contains more of the smaller particles, is used on Class 5-8 (big rigs, etc).

What is more important airflow or efficiency (protection)?
While many of our competitors believe that high performance filters are a compromise between efficiency and airflow, we at S&B do NOT share this same belief. 

We run our efficiency testing at the max rated cfm of the vehicle. The greater the airflow, the more difficult it is to stop the dirt which is why we run at the highest rated cfm. As a word of caution, most of our competitors have sent a filter to an outside lab to have the efficiency tested. In the cases we have seen, they instructed the lab to test the filters at a very low cfm in order to show a high efficiency rate. We believe this practice is fraudulent. The majority of our competitors don't have the ability to test to the ISO 5011 Standard in house which is why they use an outside lab. 

Does the filter perform better when it is dirty?
While it seems logical that a dirty filter would have an easier time stopping debris, S&B does not depend on a dirty filter to protect your engine. S&B uses 8-layers of cotton and the correct quantity of our proprietary oil formula to manufacture a filter that will protect your engine when it is running at its max capacity. 

How does an S&B cleanable filter protect an engine from the dirt?
We use 8-layer of premium cotton impregnated with our proprietary oil to stop debris from bypassing the filter and entering a vehicle's engine. It is critical to use the correct amount of oil as this is the primary filtering agent. Using less than the amount of oil specified will lower the efficiency of your filter. Applying more oil than is directed, will increase the restriction of airflow and could damage sensors. Using the S&B Precision II Cleaning & Oiling kit will allow you to easily meter the amount of oil applied to your filter.