Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Prefilter

[DPinkston]

Is a prefilter such as Outerwears absolutely necessary on a BHAF?

What are the pros and cons?

Danny

 

[mcdaniel1]

No ... not absolutely necessary



Pros

Longer filter life

Slight protection against water

Looks



Cons

Slightly reduced air flow through filter

Cost

Looks



I am sure others will chime in.



FWIW, I have been running them without Outerwears for years with no problems.

 

[pwerwagn]

Most people seem to use the outerwears because of the water repellent feature. Yet others dont have a problem with water anyway. I am putting on a BHAF soon, and am planning on using one. However, for what it costs, I probably wont ever get around to buying an outerwears.

Anyways, It is not absolutley necessary in my opinion.

 

[tp0d]

I put one on mine. In a hard rain, and on the highway, I would think it would be very possible to soak the filter media. That could cause the filter to break apart and cause some mean damage. . Unless you buy the marine version (3x the cost), which is treated for damp environments. I put an Outerwears on mine at a total cost of 27$ something shipped, and I wouldnt do it any other way. The prefilter stops a good bit of dirt, which I have already brushed off the outside of the filter. That will also make the BHAF itself last all that much longer, so I dont have to spend the 46$ to get another. As far as restricting airflow, I didnt notice any difference with it on or off... Compared to the stock airbox, the flow volume is night and day.



Also... ya might want to consider the turbo shield sold by fostertruck.com. I installed one, and my BHAF and prefilter doesnt get more than about 100°F on the turbo side of the filter. Holds some heat in the turbo for better performance on that angle also, without insulating the heat in and burning the bearings. . (link for that is http://www.fostertruck.com/heatshields.htm )



just my 2c



-jerry

 

[DPinkston]

Looks like the decision to use a prefilter is individual choice. Back in the old days I used to run open element filters on the V8's in my cars and trucks. Never gave much thought to what the water was or wasn't doing to the filter. Never did notice any degradation, but that's not to say there wasn't any. 'Course those filters were a lot cheaper to replace than a BHAF is. I will eventually check into getting a prefilter, but for now I think I'll go bareback. The truck isn't even on the road yet.

Thanks,

Danny