A few weeks ago I was showing my K&N Filterto a friend and he pointed outto me several light holes when the filter was held up to the sun. He's a dirt bike rider and told me about UNI filters which are popular with dirt bikers and said they were made for cars and trucks to. So I looked them up on the internet and was impresssed with what I read and ordered one. While waiting for it, I noticed Kennedy carried them so I asked him his opinion and he gave it a thumbs up. Well it came today and I have to say it looks like a first class product. Already put it in the truck.





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2033 GMC Duramax/Allison, Pacoific Welder Service powder coated tool box, LINEX Liner,Nicktane Fuel Filter, Uni Air filter,Trail boss powder coated Running Boards, Drawtite Fiver Hitch and Controller and FUMOTO Oil Drain Valve to be installednext oil change.

i agree that a UNI or Amsoil type foam filter are the way to go.. had an amsoil one on my truck for 20k and intake is still perfectly clean..

I just cleaned/oiled/reinstalled my Amsoil 2 stage filter and the intake was perfectly clean as well.

Nick,

Which do you like better? The Amsoil or the Uni filter?

Does the amsoil stage 2 increase turbo whine like the AFE stage 2, im still on the fence between the two.

Yes you will hear the whine. I would go with the Amsoil over the AFE do to the fact it filters better.

Greg

I concur with Nick regarding the Uni Filter. Superb filter quality/manufacturing; much superior to the Amsoil foam from the few models I have used of each. I am the original K&N/oiled gauze naysayer, with about 10 inches of scar tissue on derriere (long story) from oiled gauze..
George Morrison

X - only ran the uni on quads/dirt bikes. defintely works great on there. very well made and keep the intake cleans from dust, which we get a lot of in CA in the summer! haven't seen the durmamax UNI in person. i wonder if it fits as snugly as the amsoil one? anyone tried both? Does the UNI have the same metal frame as the amsoil?Edited by: Diesel Power

Nick I tried an AMSOIL from a friends truck and was impressed with it. The Uni fits very good and is maybe a little better filter for less cost. Cost and quality is what turned towards he Uni. Haven't had the truck out on the highway today because its raining but I think the turbo whine is quieter than with the oem and definitley quieter that with the K&N. Anybody in the San Antonio area want to buy the K@N give me a holler. I used it for about 1100 mles, its like new.

I also started running the UNI after seeing the holes in my K&N. It is a very high quality filter with a good sealing gasket. It also has dual stage foam.

UNI http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Thumbs Up.gif

I second the UNI also. Running one from KD.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Thumbs Up.gif

So are you guys in agreement that the K&N isn't a wise investment? My sitters husband has a K&N in his 3500 D/A. Anything that works for him always has always got to work for everyone else - NO! He keeps telling me "you've got to get one" and I don't believe that. I've always used the factory AC filters in the past no matter what GM vehicle I've had.

I have had both the amsoil and the UNI on my 03. I am currently running the UNI. IMO and my very unscientific testing(actually no testing, the thing just looks better) I like the UNI much better. The UNI looks much better built. Other pluses are that the UNI's wire mesh is much larger(I would thing better flow but who knows?) And the UNI comes with cleaning solution. JMO but the UNI is the best aftermarket filter I have seen for our trucks. Might be other options out there though?


I have contemplated ditching my set up for a UNI cone/AFE tube just because I want to really here the turbo. Finding it hard to swallow setting a perfectly functioning set up and filter I just paid some $$$ for for another set up that I am going to have to buy another filter for and pitch the one that comes with it just to make more noise http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

I am useing a K&N. After about 50k I see small holes and I am wanting to swap this one out. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gifDoes any one have a web site where the uni is available ?

www.kennedydiesel.com (http://www.kennedydiesel.com) sells the UNI. Maybe some of the supporting vendors will speak up if they sell it.

Got mine at http://www.unifilter.com


Steve














Edited by: fishdmax

Installed my UNI Filter today, nice piece of equipment, very good fit. The piece of metal-rubber that covers the holes in the 2002 fender was coming off and blocking part of the air intake hole. I cut the loose part off and covered the holes with duct tape. Is there a better solution???


SteveEdited by: fishdmax

I am in the process of switching my K&N to a UNI filter(Thanks Maverickhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif). Why? Because the overall design of the Uni looks much stronger than that of the K&N. I've never had a bad issue with the K&N, but overall consensus points more towards the foam setup passing less dirt than oiled gauze.

I am running the UNI from Kennedy.

Fishdmax--I seen a truck with a piece of aluminum cut a little bigger than the size of the hole in the fender and he had pop-rivited to the inside of the fender. It looked neat and this is how I am going to replace that tape on mine.

Thanks TX-DMAX

Anyone---Do you have to use the oil on the UNI filters like you do with the Amsoil and the K&N filters?

The filter comes pre oiled but needs to be re oiled after cleaning


Steve

K&N,AMSOIL, Uni all use oil spray.

Thanks men for the information. Any idea how often these things need cleaning? I just order the UNI from their site.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Edited by: TX-DMAX

Order the Service Kit, part #UFM-400, $10.95, includes cleaner and oil. I've been replacing my filter 15k-20k, but I live on dirt roads.


Steve

Only you can decide when to clean it. I look at it in about 10K. Different driving conditions in different parts of th country will dictate the frequency. I went 26 on my Amsoil. That was at least 6K too far here in Utah. The guys in west Texas agreed. Later! Frank

Just ordered mine from Kennedy. Looking forward to getting it. Next step will be the Bilstiens.

I haven't found a reason to replace my Amsoil Stage II foam filter. It fits tight, flows well, cleans up easily and catches dirt. I don't spend a lot of time with the hood up so looks ain't important.

What UNI filter With an AFE Stage 2 kit???, the filter on the stage 2 onley seems to stop small birds and rocks.


Cheers


Bear

What's the easiest way to convert to a round shaped UNI filter? I can't seem to find any packages that offer a UNI filter in an upgrade kit? I'm curently running with OEM filter. I assume that when most of you say you're running a UNI you mean the flat UNI OEM replacement?


Thanks

I would also love a UNI with an AFE intake.


Steve

If UNI made a filter that fit the AFE i'd buy one in a heartbeat!

I have been trying to do some research on the Proguard 7. the filter that supposedly filters better than the regular old guaze. Anyone have any feed back?


I want a AFE but dont like the idea of a K&N like filter at the end. JMO that i dont like em.


Been thinking of a UNI cone or a AFE tube with the stock box or something??? Maybe this new "better filtering" proguard is good enough???http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif





BTW, I'm sure UNI makes something.....alll you need is a cone with a___" outlet that is as big as possible lenght and OD and still fit in the AFE's location. Shouldnt be hard. But then one would have to buy a 250$ air intake and throw another 50$ at it with a new filter.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gifEdited by: ratlover

isn't the afe a gauze filter just like the K&N ? I cant see spending the $$$ on that. There seems like very little restriction from the K&N through the stock box but I sure wouldn't make any arguments for it being the best filter. Is any one makeing a cone type filter like the afe that is a oiled foam ? I am thinking about giveing the K&N the Deep 6 and getting a uni.

What UNI filter With an AFE Stage 2 kit???, the filter on the stage 2 onley seems to stop small birds and rocks.


Cheers


Bear

Put a sock on it..... 20 more hp ... with the blue.... a little less with the red.

UNI makes a cone filter with a 4" round intake. It is 6 1/2" dia to 5 1/4" on the end and 8" long and a stud mounted on the end, $45.00. The AFE stage 2 is 4" intake 8" to 7" and 7" long.


I think you could put the UNI on inplace of the AFE filter, but that extra inch of length and stud on the end could be tricky! Its a tight fit now.


I contacted UNI to see if they had a prefilter wrap that would fit the AFE filter.....Sorryhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif. They sell a pre-filter media in a 12" x 24" sheet, so think I will try that.


Maybe if we all ask UNI real nice they would start making a prefilter for the monster filter, then we would have both filter methods working for us, and also have good air flow! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


It would be great if UNI made a intake system like the AFE stage II.Edited by: cmadmaxman

For those of you that have the AFE kit do you think it would be worth the extra $40-50 for a cone UNI filter or are you going to stick with what you have?



UNI makes a cone filter with a 4" round intake. It is 6 1/2" dia to 5 1/4" on the end and 8" long and a stud mounted on the end, $45.00. The AFE stage 2 is 4" intake 8" to 7" and 7" long.


I think you could put the UNI on inplace of the AFE filter, but that extra inch of length and stud on the end could be tricky! Its a tight fit now.
Although the UNI filter is longer I think it will fit, the diameter at the nose of the filter is only 5 1/4" vs. the AFE 7". You could always cut the stud off if it interfered.

Also anyone know if the AFE intake tube with work with the factory airbox? I doubt it but thought I'd ask anyway.

I calculated out the approximate area of each filter.
> stock @ 12.5x9.875=123
> AFE conical @ 7r1x8r2x7l=688
> UNI conical @ 6.5r1x5.25r2x8l=518
...even though the UNI doesn't provide as much surface area if the filter is that much better it is something to consider.Edited by: y2kboti

No the OEM air box will not work with the AFE intake. It takes up as much room as it can to make room for the big filter & intake tube, and to allow for more air intake area.


Take a look at my www and you should see why the OEM box won't work. Plus I can put the OEM back on if needed.


I was thinking of the UNI filter but will try out the wrap first, $12.95 plus shipping.


Here is UNI's site for inquiring minds: http://www.unifilter.com/Edited by: cmadmaxman

Does the UNI filter flow as good as the K&N?

My guess is that it does not flow as well as the K&N, but does flow better than paper. I'm counting, though, on it FILTERING much better than either.

TC

Maybe I missunderstood something - when I saw an ad for a 'round' uni filter I just assumed they meant cone shaped...now I'm thinking that they meant round like a donut? I'm trying to find an AFE style kit that has a UNI cone shaped filter - or comes without a filter. I guess this isn't available anywhere?

Anyone done the "swiss cheese" method with the uni? I looking for a lot more whistle but love the concept of the uni. In all my off road toys thats all I will run. Been really considering the afe stage II. What is the cheapest way to get more whine?


Thanks,


Mikehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

I've got the swiss-cheesed box uni filter, juice and straight pipe. I can Kinda hear it whistle but not that much inside the cab. People outside say it whistles pretty good though. The swiss-cheesing did help the noise a bit.

would you sugest doing that or should I get the afe stage II? I really like the uni filters though!


Got the stealth 135, and 4" exhaust but still need more whine!!!!


Mikehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

I swiss cheesed the box and straight piped it(not really that loud) and I picked up a deccent amount of whine, the box also added to the whine. I cant really hear it as good as I would like from inside but people outside have comented on it when I complained of no whine. I think chevy just has good insulation. Up next to a building you can hear her a bit more though.


I like the price of swiss-cheesinghttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif If you dont like it then you can spend the $$$. Might have someone else drive your truck by you, its probably louder than you think, have em get on it to get some boost and let off to hear her wind downhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

I think you guys are over thinking this. Look under my hood, and you'll find a Uni filter in a slightly modified stock box. Uni's sister company Tru Flow makes a kit which is a pipe and filter with hoses. Problem is, it is 3.5" pipe instead of 4" and has some sharp bends. Looks really nice, I have one here, but cannot see much if any benefit.





The Uni in the stock box makes for a pretty decent whistle IMHO. Not quite as loud as the AFE II, but decent nonetheless.

Can anybody tell me what's wrong with my Amsoil 2 Stage foam filter? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

John, isnt guys that over think everything and are always looking for something better what keeps food on your table?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Tongue.gif J/K http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif


I think you and others have proven on the dyno that there is no real performance benifit from switching except maybe a faster spool up time.


As long as your filter aint coming apart there isnt anything wrong with it. The UNI looks to be much better built and I would get a UNI if I had to chose but if the amsoil is working fine then its fine IMO. I think if it was going to fall apart it would have by now. JMO

Anyone done the Uni filter/ afe stage ll kit combo? Anyone found anything that works. Think I will just go with the uni filter and maybe do a little bit of the swiss cheeze method.


Any other ideas would be great!


Mike

Air filter on DM is a joke!
Can't go 3000 miles before it completly stops up with dirt.
Needs a snorkel type intake up by the cab roof like the old Hummers do.
They don't build these trucks with the working man in mind, that's for sure!
K&N? I don't think so. Not after hearing some horror stories.
18 Wheeler or ag tractor type filter? If there was just room under the hood there would be one!

Been a while since anyone posted here but just wanted to say that I ordered my Uni filter and cleaning kit from Nics site today. Cant wait to get it.


Any new ideas in the last little while? Anyone had problems with the "stealers" when you go in with a "swiss cheeze" box?


Anyone lookin for a Uni should check out http://nicktane.com/


Really easy to order from!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


Mike

Nicktane.com is the man, got my Uni from him with great price and service...

Just got my Uni filter today and love it!!! Nictane.com is the place to get it. Good price, fast shipping, and good service! Thanks Nic!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif I can definately hear a little more turbo whine.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Still need to "swiss cheeze" my box but love the new filter.


Mike