Challenger markets the K&N product line under ûit’s own name. The filters use surgical cotton ûrather than paper or foam, increasing airflow ûwithout reducing filtration.

When you think about it, piston engines are really air pumps. The more air and fuel you put in—at the proper air/fuel ratio, of course—the more power or torque you get out. Hot rodders spend lots of time, effort and money trying to increase the amount of air flowing into the cylinders via better cam designs, intakes piping and cylinder head designs.

As a result, they know all about high-performance air filters, something that’s usually just a slap-on after thought in airplane induction design. Yet the type and condition of your air filter/cleaner can make a substantial difference in the output of your engine, which may be noticeable in takeoff,…