air filter confusion

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What the heck is going on! Just about the time I'm ready to plunk down the $$ for a K&N air filter (because many EXPERTS write this is one of the first things you should do to improve the Cummins's performance) I read Mr. Joe Donnelly's (TST Products Research Director) article in TDR 25, pg. 40. He states if you change to an oiled cloth air filter, there is no measurable increase in HP, and you will eventually foul your air intake piping and intercooler, reducing the efficiency of the intercooler.

Am I confused or what!

Come on members. Is there any first hand experience or emperical data out there that will convince me to now buy and install an oiled-cloth filter?

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1999,2500,QC,SLT,4x4,5 spd,3. 54 ratio,Cummins ISB,Driftwood.

 

[Archive]

Joel,

Much has been written here about the "Great K&N" debate. Check out some of the previous posts for more opinions from the members.

The main points raised are:

1. It does improve airflow into the engine and provide power increases tpo those who have uprated the ECM and have upgraded the exhaust and/or injectors..... BUT... ...

2. ... ... . you must insure the edge of the filter seals well against the air box in order to avoid dust and dirt ingestion into the system. Some use a grease around the edges.

Since I have not cranked up my engine power/torque (nor will I anytime soon since I can't afford to void the warranty), I believe you will find little or no power increase with the K&N filter. However, the K&N filter IS a good, high-quality product.

Just my $. 02.

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'99 3500 QC 4x2, Auto, white/agate, 4. 10 LSD, camping & towing pkg. , Mag-Hytec rear cover & trans. pan, Auto Meter gages, Mopar bed liner & mud flaps, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller, Rancho step rails

'97 Pace American 28' "Aerosport" tag race car trailer



[This message has been edited by drag racer (edited 10-04-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Joel, you won't see a performance increase with a K&N, but you will get a much better filter that is re-usable. I personally have an Amsoil foam filter and I'm very happy with it. I've checked the outflow tube and the turbo since I've put the filter on and have noticed no debris or oil. The seal is critical. On the subject of Joe Donnally, there was a considerable amount of debate on the old CDW site about his article in Issue 25 of the TDR. You may want to check it out and form your own opinion. The filtering capability of the K&N is pretty impressive. Just keep it clean, seal it well and don't over oil it and you should be fine.

John

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 5 spd, 4:10 LSD rear, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Speedliner spray in bed-liner, Amsoil foam air filter; Smittybuilt step rails, US Gear EGT and Boost gauge. Towing a 31 ft. NOMAD single slideout TT.
Rammin' and Runnin' the roads

 

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Joel,
Notice how restrained and just informative these replys are? On Rob's old site you would have gotten a different mix of comments.

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99' Stock Quad 4x4 A/T LB 3. 54 20K Miles.
Did have both 18-11-99 & 18-08-99 TSB's performed.
Pull a 7000# TT over, around and thru the Cascades.
Enhancements: Blow-by bottle

 

[Archive]

Joel,
Notice how restrained and just informative these replys are? On Rob's old site you would have gotten a different mix of comments.
The OEM filter at Cummins costs less than $12 and I have started a change routine of every 20K miles. What I think happens with either filter is that the rubber seal losed it's resilence and has a potential for air getting by. With the OEM filters being so inexpensive I don't intend to get my hands dirty with K&N oil. Also check out the OEM filter - it has a piece of foam on the bottom side to catch the big stuff before it ever gets to the filter medium. I will never open my filter box to check the filter. If I open it, it's because I'm putting a new filter. JMTCW (Just my two cents worth)

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99' Stock Quad 4x4 A/T LB 3. 54 20K Miles.
Did have both 18-11-99 & 18-08-99 TSB's performed.
Pull a 7000# TT over, around and thru the Cascades.
Enhancements: Blow-by bottle

 

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Hey tlippy, you've got that right. I remember the posts on Mr. Donnally's opinions on the K&N. Some of the posts were pretty direct in their opinion of why Mr. Donnally wrote what he did in that article. I'm going to try and find that post in the archives.

John

 

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I want to qualify my comment about not seeing a performance increase with a K&N. Some have claimed an increase in fuel mileage. I was referring to actual hp increases. You definitely get more air and that turbo sounds real cool spooling up.

John

 

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tlippy, your option of replacing the filter every 20K is right on the money. Being from the old school, I actually replace mine every 10K (fuel also), but that is overkill and I know it. I'm just a hardliner on the fact that filter replacement is the key to a happy life and, for the small cost every 3-4 months of the filters, the peace of mind is worth it.

Oil gets a transfusion every 5k, for what it is worth. Just as in sex, their's no such thing as 'too slippery'.

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Allen Davis
'99 3500 4x2, 24V ISB, SLT, QC, Extended, Duallie, 3:54 Auto, License Plate: DGEZLLA

 

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Thanks to all that have replied so far. I will also look at the archives to find more info.

Hey Tlippy, we do not have a Cummins store in our area. Is the OEM filter also available at our local D-C dealer, and if so is the price about the same? Or can I purchase a filter at the Cummins web site?

 

[Archive]

Thanks to all that have replied so far. I will also look at the archives to find more info.

Hey Tlippy, we do not have a Cummins store in our area. Is the OEM filter also available at our local D-C dealer, and if so is the price about the same? Or can I purchase a filter at the Cummins web site?