Amsoil Air Filters: Looking for details

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With the Racor route being a dead end, I want to know more about the Amsoil air filters. Some questions:

1) How are they constructed? Foam? Synthetic materials? Cotton?

2) Are there any results from independent laboratory testing as far as filter capacity, efficiency, and airflow?

I tried finding info on the web without success. I saw one site saying about 20 microns for the Amsoil filter but I don't think these guys were experts. That doesn't approach Racor's 0. 5 micron filtering ability. I also couldn't find anything on the K&N either, just lots of "this is the best filter in the world & you should buy one because. . . "

Amsoilguys & others, fill me in #ad


Vaughn

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"BLUE THUNDER"
'01 2500 QC Shortbed 2wd, Patriot Blue over Driftwood, HO 24v Cummins & 6-speed, 3. 54LSD, Cab & Fog lamps, Camper & Tow Pkg.
BOMBings: K&N RE0880 (NOT ANYMORE ), straightpiped exh. , debadged body, AutoMeter Sport Comp gauges, Amber turn signals, 55w halogen rev. lights, braided stainless fuel lines
Performance: 245rwHP on BD Dyno, 0-60@ 11. 5 sec. , consistent 17-23 mpg
12,440 miles (7/27/00)

 

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Hey Vaughn, the only thing I know about them is they use a two-stage polyurethane foam filtering media and seem to work very well.

 

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No one is touching this one, eh?
Ok, here goes.

They are made out of foam and flow as much or a little more air as the K & N. If you put the foam pre filter on the K & N, the Amsoil filter really outflows it. I've seen this tested on a flow bench.
The foam is just a structure for the Amsoil filter oil, which is the key. Here's the downside. It is VERY IMPORTANT not to over oil these filters, or you will have a mess! A few members can contest to this!
The polyurethane foam does not allow itself to be properly shaped for the conical filters, so if you have a Scotty system, they can't help you.
I don't have micron levels, but a lot of us have oil samples that prove they work. I have never seen an independent lab test on air filters. I wonder why?
Does that help?

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1997 Cummins Dodge 4x4 Bombed & Amsoiled
Member of TDR,LIC-ROC,GLTDR,NRA

 

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John & MGM, how hard is it to clean the filter & reoil it? Is it difficult to oil it properly? Can the outer stage be removed for easier cleaning or are the 2 layers sandwiched together? I am trying to get a picture of this thing in my mind before shelling out the bucks for one. Do you have a part number for it? The Amsoil site didn't have a cross for the Dodge Cummins.

Thanks, Vaughn

 

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The Amsoil filter (as well as the two stage polyurethane foam XLerator filter) are cleaned using dish soap and water, allowed to air dry and reoiled with the Amsoil (or XLerator) filter oil. The XLerator oil is sprayed onto the filter whereas the Amsoil filter oil is applied from a bottle and worked into the foam filtering media. The two-stage polyurethane foam used in the construction of both the Amsoil and XLerator filters are sandwiched together. Both filters work very well.

 

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Xcelerator filter #ad
What filter is that? Which one do you have John? I like the sound of spray oil for reoiling the XLerator.

Vaughn

 

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I installed an Amsoil air filter in my '01
right after I bought it. Now have over
11,000 miles on the truck. I checked the
intake assembly, turbo and filter. Not a
single speck of dirt anywhere, and no sign
of excess filter oil in the black tube
going from the airbox to the turbo. There
was some oil in the airbox, but it is in
the half that is bolted to the fender, the
dirty side. Turbo is clean, no black stuff
on it like some posts referencing the K&N.

The most important part is the installation.
Make sure you have the filter installed
correctly. I did not use any grease to
seal the edges either. The filter is a
tight fit when it is new, but after time
conforms to the airbox and provides a great
seal. I say go for it!

The added benefit is more turbo whistle,
especially if you removed the silencer
ring already. Seems as if the OEM paper
filter is so dense that it muffles the
turbo and intake noise somewhat.

Chris McKendry

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'01 3500 QC 4x4 SLT, Dk. Garnet Red, tan interior.
Cummins ETC, 5-speed, 3. 54 anti-spin; Line-X
BOMBed! Power Edge module, Auto Meter boost and pyro
gauges on A-pillar; Valentine One
Kenwood TM742 tri-band Ham Radio VHF/UHF/6M & GPS
APRS Tracker N5CWM-14
My 2001 Cummins Ram modifications website
May the Boost be With You!

 

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TS106 is what you need. I think they have used that since 94. Anyway thats what my son has on his 99 and I have it on my 2000. You will notice a difference. They are not hard to clean. If you don't want oil on your hands use rubber gloves. Even if you don't have your silencer ring out you can hear the difference.

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Vaughn, I purchased the XLerator air filter element from a vendor in the TDR although, I haven't seen their advertisements in the last several issues. The vendor (Diesel shop) I'm refering to is located in Kokomo, IN. (sp?) The XLerator filter looks VERY close to the Amsoil filter however, the Amsoil filter is cheaper if you are a dealer. I haven't purchased the Amsoil filter for my Ram (yet) but I have seen several. As I've said before, the two filters look VERY similar.

[This message has been edited by John (edited 08-21-2000). ]

 

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Vaughn,

Check out the thread "Turbo sounds sick, any suggestions?" on 8/15 in the 24 valver forum. I posted a reply to someone asking about a comparison of K&N and Amsoil air filters for our RAMS. You might find the info useful.

 

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Vaughn,
Putting brand names aside, I will in my own way "attempt" to answer your questions based upon my experiences with 3 different filter medias.

PAPER
Pros:
1. Inexpensive.
2. Among the best media's for filtration.
3. Adequite air flow (when new).
4. Excellent noise dampening (Muffler).
5. Disposable, no special chemicals or oils to buy or use. (cleaners / filter Oil)
6. Readily available, just about anywhere.

Cons:
1. Lowest CFM rated filter media
2. Dirt reduces CFM rating rather quickly.
3. Due to #2, "Slight" decrease in HP, but generally undetectable till replaced.
4. Disposable, (constant funds depletion).
5. NOT tolerant of Water or splash.

NOTE: Slight can change to drastic if left go long enough, but this is true for any filter.

COTTON
Pros:
1. Probably the highest flowable CFM media's
2. Retains the highest CFM rating, even in dusty conditions.
3. Almost impossible to clog. Or clog to the point of air starvation to the motor.
3. Due to 1, 2 & 3... is preferred in racing applications.
4 Re-usable
5. Somewhat resistant to water splash.

Cons:
1. Cost (Filter, oil, cleaner)
2. Provides only marginal filtration*
3. Provides very little noise dampening
4. Somewhat fragile.
5. Manu'f requires/recommends use of special cleaner and oil.
6. Patented design, therefore few manu'f exist.

* This mention is in constant debate.

FOAM
*NOTE: Foam media tends to have larger variations in performance, due to density and design. Again, due to patent infringments.

Pros:
1. Re-usable
2. Some are among the highest CFM rated media's (when new or clean)
3. Some are among the highest rated filter media's.
3. Dirt reduces CFM Ratings quicker than cotton... but less than paper.
4. Some become statically charged, which promotes increased filtration ability
5. Re-Usable
6. More durable than cotton. Important after repeated cleanings.
7. Of the three, most splash proof.
8. Slightly more available vendors/producers than cotton.

Cons:
1. Cost (filter, oil, cleaner)
2. Clogs quicker than Cotton, hence a reduction in CFM.
3. "Most" require or recommend special oil and cleaning agents.
4. Due to a larger selection of vendors/producers, overall manu'f quality may be an issue.

Take this as you will and use what is important to you for your decision.

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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC. Everything but leather. PIAA driving lights, AMSOIL oil filter relocation system,Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs,Rhino Liner,K&N air filter. Somehow lost my silencer Ring.

 

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I admit it, I'm new here. I just picked up a used '96, 4x4, auto 2500 and ordered an Amsoil air filter today.

The old air filter has a 3/4" sheet of foam that sits below the paper. What is it supposed to do? Do I need it witht he Amsoil filter?

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Gregor Switca
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Torque is a beautiful thing

 

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The 3/4" (actually more like 3/8") thick sheet of light green foam on the bottom of the OE paper filter element (made for Dodge by Fleetguard) is just sort of a pre-filter. I have also heard the reason Dodge requested it was additional noise abatement. Sounds reasonable, as it doesn't really function all that well as a pre-filter, as a fair amount of dirt is sucked around the edges of the foam pre-filter... when you examine a well used element. Fleetguard and Cummins (made by Fleetguard for Cummins) air filter elements I have purchased in the past did not have the foam pre-filter although, I've been told the foam sheet has been added to more recently produced filters.