Engine-mounted Cat 2 micron/water separator

[big61fourby]

Thought I'd post some pics and part numbers from my new fuel filter setup. Using a Cat water separator and 2 micron filter, and cat bases mounted to a custom bracket. It was a bit of a trick to fit both filters under the intake, but it works. Fortunately it's easy to remove the inner fender well to make filter changes a snap. For now, I left the stock canister in place; will probably ditch it later on when I add a different lift pump.

Part numbers & fitting sizes:

175-2949, Cat water separator
1R-0749, Cat secondary filter (2 micron, larger version of the 1R-0750, 11"-12" long)
280-2698, Base from Cat, same as the fleetguard from GDP, etc

Out fitting on the stock canister is 12mm x 1. 5. I adapted that to -6 AN hose. Fitting on the filter bases is -06 AN x -10 O-ring boss (7/8" I believe). -10 ORB between the bases, -10 ORB back down to -06 AN. At the CP3 inlet, I added a gauge and Hobbs switch wired to a light in the gauge pod. From there, it's just a -06 AN back down to 12mm x 1. 5. I got most all my fittings and SS braided hose from Summit.

Filters & Base:
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Like I said, tight fit under the intake, but I like not having the filters down under the the truck:
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These filters are both used on heavy trucks; they're rated at 2,500 gallons. I'm planning on sticking with a 1 year change interval, which would be around 30,000 miles. I've never had any trouble with with the fuel I get locally, but it's nice not to wonder...

 

[Bartlett]

Nice work , looks clean !!

 

[AHofner]

cool idea. Are you running the fuel through the 7 micron stock canister first and then to the Cat setup currently? When you do ditch the stock canister are you going to only use the 2 micron Cat filter? What are you using for a lift pump now and what are you planning on upgrading to?

 

[big61fourby]

Yep, right now I'm coming out of the stock canister, through the Cat water separator (10 micron I believe), and finally the 2 micron secondary filter. If you saw the size of the 0749, it won't have any trouble pulling duty on a 5. 9; it's 3 times the size of the stock filter.

For the LP, I'm planning on mounting a Walbro to GDP's block off plate.

 

[HBarlow]

Very nice work. It looks like a factory installation except for the yellow CAT filters.

 

[TCDiesel]

Removing the stock can May present some issues, the Cummins Pump is different design that the D-MAX,1st in extreme cold you will have fuel issues, We have bio-diesel Here in MN year round,( the coldest Jan in 20 years), I cannot recount all the aftermarket system we removed or just would not service B/C they removed or mount filters that are designed for in tank heating, You may live in a warm year round climate so removing for the gel issue may not apply to you. If you are looking for extreme HP than removal of the can is necessary B/C the feed line from the Can to Pump is restrictive at some point. . additional filtrations cannot be overly done. Filter rating are like Government ratings. They may say 2mic, but only catch 5% of 2mic when allowing 50% or better of 20mic through. The best way to test filters is flow and Pressure, for Example: 16GPM @ 3 PSI. with 2mic filter drops the flow to 10GPM its OK, now run the same test with 5/4mic filter and it drop the flow to 5/6GPM this is doing much better filtering even though it's not getting any 2mics, but it will in most case be getting 50/75% of 5/4mic and 97% 0f 10 mics or less and 100% of 13mics or greater. .

 

[JBonpua]

I did a similar setup but different mounting location as it is too tight for me under the intake horn plus I could not mount it under the horn since I am running a CFM. I mounted mine above between the CP3 and the fuse box with a custom mount to facilitate easy filter change. I am also using crimped (not press on) -10 AN lines from the stock cannister to my dual CAT filters to the CP3. I have a total of 5 filters in series and still have 9 PSI of fuel pressure measured before the CP3. Here are my filters: Fleetguard FS1218 (20 micron FWS) and Baldwin BF584 (7 micron) mounted under the truck next to the transfer case, Baldwin 7977 (5 micron FWS) in the stock cannister, dual CAT 1R-0150 and 1R-0749 (2 micron) in the engine bay. IMO the CAT filters are better performer than the FF5320 (5 micron) most member love so much. All micron ratings are absolute 98% using SAE J1985 standard.



I agree with TWest regarding flow and pressure at rated micron. This is the reason I'm running the bigger Fleetguard, Baldwin and CAT filters because they flow over 100 GPH at absolute micron rating and they have huge dirt and water holding capacity.

 

[AH64ID]

These filters are both used on heavy trucks; they're rated at 2,500 gallons. I'm planning on sticking with a 1 year change interval, which would be around 30,000 miles. I've never had any trouble with with the fuel I get locally, but it's nice not to wonder...

Where did you find that rating? I have been trying to find a rating on my 1R-0750... I have just over 16,500 miles on my Cat and that's 1015 gallons.



The Cat filters are the best you can get... I am currently running a Baldwin BF1212 into a Baldwin PF7977 into my Cat 1R-0750.

 

[Wingate]

http://www.cat.com/cda/files/1386244/7/pehp9522_01.pdf



These are 2 micron absolute and filter to 98% efficiency. Sorry, didn't know how to post a link onto here.

I agree, CAT really puts an extraordinary amout of time and development into their filtration systems. Not to take away from Fleetguard, they make an excellent product also, I am just more involved with the Cat products. I've seen what poor filtration can/will do to engines and fuel systems.

 

[big61fourby]

I have a total of 5 filters in series and still have 9 PSI of fuel pressure measured before the CP3. Here are my filters: Fleetguard FS1218 (20 micron FWS) and Baldwin 584 (7 micron) mounted under the truck next to the transfer case, Baldwin 7977 (5 micron FWS) in the stock cannister, dual CAT 1R-0150 and 1R-0749 (2 micron) in the engine bay. IMO the CAT filters are better performer than the FF5320 (5 micron) most member love so much. All micron ratings are absolute 98% using SAE J1985 standard.

I agree with TWest regarding flow and pressure at rated micron. This is the reason I'm running the bigger Fleetguard, Baldwin and CAT filters because they flow over 100 GPH at absolute micron rating and they have huge dirt and water holding capacity.

Holy crap man, that a lot of filtration. I thought mine was a little excessive Honestly I can't see what it could hurt, as long as the pump can keep up (you running an upgraded LP?). I really like the quality of CAT filters.

AH64, I'll have to look at work tomorrow, but these things are used on the C13 and C15's we run in the big Pete's. I'll double check the change interval... From what I understand, these motors run higher LP volumes and pressures, so I'm pretty confident they can handle duty on a 5. 9...

 

[BDaugherty]

I did a similar setup but different mounting location as it is too tight for me under the intake horn plus I could not mount it under the horn since I am running a CFM. I mounted mine above between the CP3 and the fuse box with a custom mount to facilitate easy filter change. I am also using crimped (not press on) -10 AN lines from the stock cannister to my dual CAT filters to the CP3. I have a total of 5 filters in series and still have 9 PSI of fuel pressure measured before the CP3. Here are my filters: Fleetguard FS1218 (20 micron FWS) and Baldwin 584 (7 micron) mounted under the truck next to the transfer case, Baldwin 7977 (5 micron FWS) in the stock cannister, dual CAT 1R-0150 and 1R-0749 (2 micron) in the engine bay. IMO the CAT filters are better performer than the FF5320 (5 micron) most member love so much. All micron ratings are absolute 98% using SAE J1985 standard.



I agree with TWest regarding flow and pressure at rated micron. This is the reason I'm running the bigger Fleetguard, Baldwin and CAT filters because they flow over 100 GPH at absolute micron rating and they have huge dirt and water holding capacity.

That is absolute overkill. I like it.

Granted, on my 2nd gen filtration is not nearly as big a deal. However, I'm running a Hastings FF1260 in the factory housing. I use Hastings filters because a good friend is a dealer and that allows me to get killer pricing. To get specific info, I emailed their tech dept. The stock filter for my '01 is a FF1160. I'm using a FF1260 which would be for a 3rd gen application. The following is the reply that I recieved from Hastings tech support:



FF1160 has a 1 or a 2 nominal with a 10 absolute micron rating.

FF1260 has a 1 or a 2 nominal with a 5 absolute micron rating.



I have the 30 micron screen before my Walbro pump. My fuel pressure sender is installed into the inlet of my injection pump. I see 18-20 psi at idle and cruising and as low as 11 psi with the Edge on level 6 at WOT.

 

[JBonpua]

That is absolute overkill. I like it.

Yeah might be an overkill with all my filtration but I figured it can not hurt. Heck my CTD is an overkill as I never tow or haul anything and don't race. I just wanted the biggest and baddest truck at that time and the Mega Cab CTD was it. My turck lives a good and easy pampered life so I figured I give it the cleanest fuel possible to make it last 500K miles to get my moneys worth. :-laf

 

[big61fourby]

Ok, here's the maintenance intervals on the older C13's & C15's:

http://safety.cat.com/cda/files/557... On-Highway Engines-Maintenance Intervals.pdf

Fuel filters are due at 15,000 or 2500 gallons or 300 hours. As stated above, these engines move a lot of fuel in a hurry, so I'm not too concerned with the 15k interval.

FWIW, the newer Cats will run 30k/4100 gallons/500 hrs

I help manage 40 pieces of Cat heavy iron at work. When you run the numbers on actual fuel burned per hour, it seems to make sense. 330D excavator runs +/- 8 gph x 500 hr interval = 4000 gallons.

On the cummins, I'm going to stick with a 1 year interval, which will be 25 to 30k, and should be less than 2000 gallons...

 

[JBonpua]

I will change the 2 micron CATs every 10K miles, the Baldwin 7977 every 7. 5K and the Fleetguard 1218 and Baldwin BF584 @ 5K miles or sooner if fuel pressure indicate filter clogging. I'm well stocked on all filter types (two cases of each type filter).

 

[CamarosRus]

I applaud all of you... ... ...



This makes the average owner concerned with good filter maintenance just feel so inferior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JJPage]

IMO the CAT filters are better performer than the FF5320 (5 micron) most member love so much. All micron ratings are absolute 98% using SAE J1985 standard.





Isn't the FF5320 a 2 micron filter? I could swear it says "2 micron" on it's side, I will look at mine this afternoon.

 

[TCDiesel]

J1985 is IMO absolutely worthless. The standard needs to be replaced... with absolute ratings. There are filter manufactures that do their on Testing, which in most cases will be absolute. Example: Pressure test, Flow/GPM, before and after filter, passes, and %. 3/4mic 8/12/95. This means it will get 95% of all 3/4 particles and 100% 0f 12 particles. at 8PSI. you would have to check the GPM used and flow.

 

[AH64ID]

I will change the 2 micron CATs every 10K miles, the Baldwin 7977 every 7. 5K and the Fleetguard 1218 and Baldwin BF584 @ 5K miles or sooner if fuel pressure indicate filter clogging. I'm well stocked on all filter types (two cases of each type filter).

WOW!!! I have more than 16K on my 3 filters and not even . 5psi drop in pressure yet. . with the stock LP... I think your fine running a little longer... Remember a filter with some dirt in it is more efficient.

IMO the CAT filters are better performer than the FF5320 (5 micron) most member love so much. All micron ratings are absolute 98% using SAE J1985 standard.





Isn't the FF5320 a 2 micron filter? I could swear it says "2 micron" on it's side, I will look at mine this afternoon.

Yeah the Cat is 2um absolute and the FF5320 is 2um at 92%

J1985 is IMO absolutely worthless. The standard needs to be replaced... with absolute ratings. There are filter manufactures that do their on Testing, which in most cases will be absolute. Example: Pressure test, Flow/GPM, before and after filter, passes, and %. 3/4mic 8/12/95. This means it will get 95% of all 3/4 particles and 100% 0f 12 particles. at 8PSI. you would have to check the GPM used and flow.

I have never seen a J1985 rating that didn't list an absolute rating, so maybe I am confused on something? In fact the only company that doesn't report J1985 is Baldwin. .



From my understanding J1985 is a singlepass fuel filter rating...

 

[JBonpua]

Isn't the FF5320 a 2 micron filter? I could swear it says "2 micron" on it's side, I will look at mine this afternoon.

WOW!!! I have more than 16K on my 3 filters and not even . 5psi drop in pressure yet. . with the stock LP... I think your fine running a little longer... Remember a filter with some dirt in it is more efficient.



Yeah the Cat is 2um absolute and the FF5320 is 2um at 92%



I have never seen a J1985 rating that didn't list an absolute rating, so maybe I am confused on something? In fact the only company that doesn't report J1985 is Baldwin. .



From my understanding J1985 is a singlepass fuel filter rating...

AH64ID is correct that FF5320 is a 5 micron absolute @ 98. 7 and 2 micron @ 92%. I have attached the spec for FF5320 for your review. As you can clearly see it is a 5 micron... case closed!

AH64ID is correct once again that J1985 report absolute rating sigle pass.



CAT is better that FF5320.

 

[AWise]

Where is a good place online to get the CAT filters? I found the WS on ebay but would like a more reliable place to buy them.