Anyone have any experience with additional filtering on the Allison. I found out the FS unit can be used for the Allison also. Extends filter changes of the Allison while filtering the fluid much better then the stock filter.
Any negative implications for the tranny?

It already has an internal and external filters, what more do you want?

The system runs cleaner than engine oil, already has a cheap and easily swapped out spin on filter that many are changing frequently and you will be interrupting the main pressure control circuit for little perceived filtration gain. Not value added and unecessary.

The system runs cleaner than engine oil, already has a cheap and easily swapped out spin on filter that many are changing frequently and you will be interrupting the main pressure control circuit for little perceived filtration gain. Not value added and unecessary.


So, could that cause an issue with the Tranny? I've read where some of the bus companies have used FS on the Allison Tranny and have seen no wear on the tranny components that would usually be seen after so many hours...? The question I have is does the Spin On filter and the internal filter get the stuff that causes the most damage out. The Oil Full flow stock filter certainly does not get the harmful particulate out that causes most of the wear. Kinda like the way the old fuel filters didn't do what they were supposed to do and GM did nothing about it until there were major problems. I just wonder what micron the Alllison filter is really getting?

So, could that cause an issue with the Tranny? I've read where some of the bus companies have used FS on the Allison Tranny and have seen no wear on the tranny components that would usually be seen after so many hours...? The question I have is does the Spin On filter and the internal filter get the stuff that causes the most damage out. The Oil Full flow stock filter certainly does not get the harmful particulate out that causes most of the wear. Kinda like the way the old fuel filters didn't do what they were supposed to do and GM did nothing about it until there were major problems. I just wonder what micron the Alllison filter is really getting?

I'd like to hear from Mike L on this? I know he's said in the past he wasn't a fan of any bypass on the Allison. Would it effect pressure or hurt anything if the Bypass went in where you pull your line out of the tranny at that plastic coupler between the tranny and the cooler?
I've seen some documentation from companies using this setup and reporting No wear at the usual points after "X" hours of use where they usually start expecting problems...? Is our Allison so different?
It probably may be overkill but this is one expensive, high tech tranny.

I do not know it all about the allison,but anytime you add a bypass filter,your creating a small internal leak in the system.With engine oil,this is no big deal,as long as the engine isnt worn out and loose.With a transmission it can be a very big deal,there may not be enough of a cushion in pump volume for trucks with added power or worn transmissions.It would depend on where the bypass was pulled from,the volume going thru the filter(which varies with temperature,and bypass filter condition,)the main line or just a certain clutch pack.Hopefully Mike L will tell all.

I do not know it all about the allison,but anytime you add a bypass filter,your creating a small internal leak in the system.With engine oil,this is no big deal,as long as the engine isnt worn out and loose.With a transmission it can be a very big deal,there may not be enough of a cushion in pump volume for trucks with added power or worn transmissions.It would depend on where the bypass was pulled from,the volume going thru the filter(which varies with temperature,and bypass filter condition,)the main line or just a certain clutch pack.Hopefully Mike L will tell all.

Yeah, I wondered about that also. I know with the oil you have to add an xtra 2 1/4 qts and with the tranny it's much the same. The adapter they are coming up with will go between where the tranny cooler lines plug into the Allison. There will be no cutting just pull the lines out, plug in the adapter and go. I pretty much told them I'm not going to do anything to give the dealer any reason to void any warranty. I really don't see why this unit would be any different from adding a larger tranny cooler? I know the units only siphon a small amount of the fluid at a time. With the oil bypass there is no pressure changes in the system at all. These guys know what they are doing. The owner of FS told me one of his clients had a 10,000 hour rebuild on a large diesel that costs 77K. With their filter on they can run the motor 4x longer. Now, the $500 for the unit doesn't seem so expensive..Apparently, there has been some great feedback from the commercial side of things with this setup. They are working on a smaller unit for the light truck segment that will be quite a bit cheaper. He actually said his system is a bit large for our small motors. I do like the fact this company backs up their claims and will give you references. Oshkosh is one of their largest clients and lots of their filters are going towards military applications.

I would not even consider this. If your stock filters can not do a good job keeping the fluid clean, then your trans is on its way out if its got that much crap in it. How much does the sytem cost? How many times can you change a 10.00 filter to pay for it?

The Alli does not need anymore filtering. I would not do it.

The Alli does not need anymore filtering. I would not do it.

Ok, but how about a larger spin on filter? There surely is plenty of room to double the size of that spin on.

Ok, but how about a larger spin on filter? There surely is plenty of room to double the size of that spin on.

8 bucks and easy to change. Why bother putting on a bigger one?

I would not even consider this. If your stock filters can not do a good job keeping the fluid clean, then your trans is on its way out if its got that much crap in it. How much does the sytem cost? How many times can you change a 10.00 filter to pay for it?

Yeah, I agree but how do we really know it's doing the best job. The stock full flow oil filter doesn't pick up the stuff that causes the most damage... The fuel filter, especially before didn't pick up the stuff it should have done before, hence the Nicktane. I'd like Mike to talk with the Hydraulic Engineer at FS. He's an Allison specialist that was hired specifically to work with the Allison commercial stuff but quite frankly I wish I knew more about the technical jargon he was telling me about. Basically, what I got from it from his is that when they've pulled these big Ally's, out of concrete mixers etc.. they have found no wear in certain shafts where they normally would see a certain amount of wear. Basically saving the companies lots of $$.
Granted our tranny's are not under the stress of these bigger rigs but then again it's all relative...:confused:

The Alli does not need anymore filtering. I would not do it.

Mike,
Do these Ally's have much wear in them after 50K or is everything still like new? I'm talking about the average truck, obviously some of you put these tranny's thru a heck of a lot more then I will.
I do have one waiting to go in but I didn't want to cut the cooler line and put a "T" in. They said they are working with Allison on an adapter to in between the cooler line and the tranny but I really don't think after hearing from you guys I'm going to keep the FS for the tranny. They made me a very good deal for both so I jumped on it when I could but they did say I could send the one back for the tranny if they didn't come up with the adapter in the next week.

I have not seen any wear in hard parts on the Alli after 50K except on race trucks. They will wear the front rotating drum out where the stator support rings are housed and will put chatter marks inside the C2 clutch grooves. Needle bearings will wear out on race trucks also. The Alli does not need an additional filter.

The tranny's aren't exposed to combustion effects and being opened constantly like your gas tanks to allow contaminants in. I think between the two filters you will never have to worry. If you're worried change the smin on more often