I have a 02' 2500HD/Duramax/Allison crew cab. I have around 80,000 miles on it now. In past I have been using "whatever" air filter. Should I be using any certain brand and why? Thanks ahead of time for your input.

Similiar to the oil debate :) There was a rather significant air filter study performed within the last year. IIRC as far as filtration goes the OEM AC Delco won top honors...with Baldwin and others not too far behind. whatever you do don't use FRAM filters ...junk these days in my opinion. I'll see if I can find that air filter study thread.

There was an air filter test within the last year ... as far as filtration goes I believe the OEM AC Delco won top honors. Just don't use FRAM ...

http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18976&highlight=air+filter+study

Beleive what you want about this test but oil analysis has proven many times that a quality foam filter like Amsoil or Uni filters work best.

Greg

Beleive what you want about this test but oil analysis has proven many times that a quality foam filter like Amsoil or Uni filters work best.

Greg
Is this based on scientific data, done under controlled, scientific conditions?
Maybe we should give slick 50 another try?

Give K&N a try, Ive been using it for a while on my 03' Dmax its on an intake though. Foam filters the best for the "high flow" types and you can clean it every time. Paper is ok if your looking for the best possible filtration. But if your going to put a chip on your truck you should go either K&N or amsoil/uni

Is this based on scientific data, done under controlled, scientific conditions? Maybe we should give slick 50 another try?

How much more scientific can you get than the oil analysis in the same trucks over long periods of time? The test that were done I don't believe were done under strick ASTM standards where they? When you get something for nothing you can bet the results will be less than prefect.

George Morrison couldn't beleive the results after spending a lot of time on the the quality of filtration the foam filters were giving. To me that says way more than a test that was preformed. I know JK feels the same as I do on this subject as do others. Another test that could be done with oil analysis is particle count. But to use that you would have to stack up a lot of miles with both filters in pretty much them same conditions. I would say at least a years running with each filter in place.

Greg<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Is this based on scientific data, done under controlled, scientific conditions? Maybe we should give slick 50 another try?

How much more scientific can you get than the oil analysis in the same trucks over long periods of time? The test that were done I don't believe were done under strick ASTM standards where they? When you get something for nothing you can bet the results will be less than prefect.

George Morrison couldn't beleive the results after spending a lot of time on the the quality of filtration the foam filters were giving. To me that says way more than a test that was preformed. I know JK feels the same as I do on this subject as do others. Another test that could be done with oil analysis is particle count. But to use that you would have to stack up a lot of miles with both filters in pretty much them same conditions. I would say at least a years running with each filter in place. Greg
Yes, the filter tests were done for free, because the tester was as curious as we were. They were done to the STRICT ISO 5011 test standard. Retail is $3000 per filter tested. That makes $27,000 in filter testing done to the Internationally recognized test standard. The same test standard that Amsoil and K&N refuse to publish. SPICER

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Define "Best". Best filtration?

Beleive what you want about this test but oil analysis has proven many times that a quality foam filter like Amsoil or Uni filters work best.

Greg

How could oil analysis prove how good an air filter is? what if I have an Oil Guard or Amsoil bypass system on my truck? Wouldn't the bypass system make an air filter look good? I would think the best way to judge filters is with an air filter test? Not trying to stir the pot ...just trying to understand it all as taking oil samples to determine the effectiveness of an air filter seems ass backwards.

hasn't it been proven, more then once, that dyno testing showed there is absolutely no significant advantage of running an aftermarket air filter instead of the OEM ? If the OEM has the best filtration capabilities ...then how much additional performance does the aftermarket filters provide? I think I remember the dyno's saying 'notta'.

Dirt that has passed through the air filter will go 2 places either out the exhuast or in the oil. A bypass system would take care of some of it in the oil but not all. This is one reason that you would have to do a long study with both types of filters in like conditions.

Greg

yes it has been proven but the results were close with some of the others. i run the k&n in my stock box only for the expense portion. i put on 70k miles a year and it only makes $$$ sense to me for my application. mostly highway and a few off road driving.

so i say it is a matter of opinion. although the tests show that the AC Delco air filter has the best filtration @ 99.9X, the K&N was @ 98.3X. you could search for the post to see what the actual numbers are. I think that the numbers above was what i saw as it pertained to me.

I stand by my analysis and single digit silicon content with the much maligned Uni foam filter element...

Gauze filter yielded 40's...

Why would an individual spend big bucks to put in an after market oil filter to fix a problem created by a cheap or low efficiency air filter??????

It would seem to make sense that you use the air filter that "good" tests confirm to be the most efficient. If the air is clean then where does the dirt come from. IMHO

I would liken air filtration to water filtration. If the water going in is yucky, and a filter turns it clear why would you pump your stomach, filter its contents, then put it back.

I'm planning to stay stock. Not everything on these trucks needs to be modded--I think some things are better left alone.

although the tests show that the AC Delco air filter has the best filtration @ 99.9X, the K&N was @ 98.3X. you could search for the post to see what the actual numbers are. I think that the numbers above was what i saw as it pertained to me.
99.96% vs. 96.80% SPICER.

Stock AC paper filter is best per testing.

Note: found ac pf2232 oil filters at Murray's for $3.69!!!!

Spicer,
You started and had the good fortune of a major and CREDITABLE testing facility come on board for the AIR filter testing. Until someone else is willing to have the test redone under the same conditions, I'm keeping the factory filter! That testing proved without a doubt that the factory filter is best at filtering and provides all the air flow needed for what 99.999% of us throw at these motors. Unless you go by 'Superdiesel', 'Mackin', 'Trippin' or others that push 500 ponies and beyond, The only benefit to the aftermarket setups is to hear the turbo whine (not that that is a bad thing!).
Terrain Twister

Why would an individual spend big bucks to put in an after market oil filter to fix a problem created by a cheap or low efficiency air filter??????

It would seem to make sense that you use the air filter that "good" tests confirm to be the most efficient. If the air is clean then where does the dirt come from. IMHO

I would liken air filtration to water filtration. If the water going in is yucky, and a filter turns it clear why would you pump your stomach, filter its contents, then put it back.Not sure if you were referring to my previous post regarding the oil bypass reference. If so, the point I was trying to make is that an oil analysis wouldn't always be representative of air filter quality as the oil bypass would influence the oil sample by removing dirt passed by an air filter. I was simply trying to say the best way to test an air filter would be via a directly air filter test ...not via oil samples ...depending on if one had an oil bypass system installed. I actually abandoned my AFE Stage II due to the paint problem on some of the tubes early on ..and the air filter study was the final straw in my decison ...have been running the OEM AC Delco filter ever since. I personally didn't think the added turbo whistle was worth $300+ dollars.

I dont have any data between paper and oil filters, but I was always under the assumption that with Dirtbikes and Quads, the oil filters are preferred dust & dirt conditions. The oil catches the fine dust particles, but frequent cleansing is necessary. Would this be relevant for aftermarket performance filters also?

I dont have any data between paper and oil filters, but I was always under the assumption that with Dirtbikes and Quads, the oil filters are preferred dust & dirt conditions. The oil catches the fine dust particles, but frequent cleansing is necessary. Would this be relevant for aftermarket performance filters also?
It is not relevant to begin with. It seems intuitive that oiled filters would work well. Dirt loves oil (it seems). But in every ISO or SAE certified test, the results are the same. Paper filters best, and holds more dirt before clogging. Foam is useful in muddy/wet conditions where a paper filter could get wet and collapse. To my knowledge, this is the reason for the foam/oil design in the first place. Some savvy marketers try to get us to believe "If it is good enough for extreme use like dirt bikes/off road use, it must be better than paper." Not true, unless you drive your truck through the swamps. Just ask any foam manufacturer for their official ISO/SAE data sheets. You'll NEVER get them. Period. SPICER

Single digit silicon with Uni, double digit (45) with gauze. Nuff said...

Here's my experience:


I ran a K&N for about 25,000 miles. The last oil change with it was at 4300 miles. Silicon was 15. Switched to an OEM AC Delco. Ran 6200 miles til the next oil change. Silicon was 8. I'm sold on OEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had my oil tested last Sept. with 5600 miles on it and an Amsoil air filter. Silicon was 8. Later! Frank

Interesting, IMHO a company like GM with more money for engineering and R&D than any aftermarket filter company, decides to use a paper filter rather than a foam filter there must be a reason. How many tests do you think a company of that size would do on filters? If they thought they may reduce problems with the finished product (warranty claims) with a foam filter they would install one every vehicle that comes off the line. My .02

K&N Silicon 13 Intake Duct light dust
UNI Silicon 11 Intake Duct light dust
Paper Silicon 7 No intake dust

I also took some diffriential pressure readings and they were very close. Can't find the readings but I think there was only about 1" WC difference between the K&N and the paper element using fresh filters under highway conditions, thus my decision to go back to paper.

OEM filter in place for the last 23.5K miles. 3 oil analysis where done, one at 7K, 12k and 23K. Silicon levels were 9, 22, 12. Boy that paper is doing great. When it came back at 22 I checked for air leaks and couldn't find any. Now I have foam in and we will see what silicon levels are next time. Ran foam in the 6.5TD for over 100K miles silicon levels were always in the single digits. Paper filter are a:joke: . But THE $3000 test says they are best.-:t Enough of this rant on air filters because I will still continue to use foam.

Greg

Greg,
You should see those levels drop after you have a few more miles logged. History has proven that the PPM's typically run higher on the newer engines.

K&N Silicon 13 Intake Duct light dust
UNI Silicon 11 Intake Duct light dust
Paper Silicon 7 No intake dust

I also took some diffriential pressure readings and they were very close. Can't find the readings but I think there was only about 1" WC difference between the K&N and the paper element using fresh filters under highway conditions, thus my decision to go back to paper.
http://dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/exactly.gif





Gary

whatever you do don't use FRAM filters ...junk these days in my opinion. Not to http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/stirthepot.gifmore, but FWIW, I've been using Fram air filters, and I had a UOA done @ about 16k with my first Delvac 1 drain, and the Silicon was at 8, so it would appear that while Fram oil filters suck, the air filters seem to be on par with OEM.

Does anyone have data on oil filters? I have been using Fram oil filters forever; Now what? (I am guessing a search may help).

Does anyone have data on oil filters? I have been using Fram oil filters forever; Now what? (I am guessing a search may help).
Popular choices are AC Delco, Baldwin, Mobil 1, Napa/Wix, ...may be a few others. I personally run either the AC Delco OEM filter or a Baldwin.