Size of Air Filter really critical?

[WCrawford]

Just purchased an Edge Juice w/Attitude. Looking to upgrade the air filter, not the exhaust however. I'm getting both ends of the argument. On one hand, replacing the stock air filter with an OEM replacement high flow "oiled "filter is all that's necessary because you can only force so much air through a 4" system. Makes sense to me. The other argument is to go with the biggest filter because you need all the air the system can get to make it perform efficiently. I feel the answer is probably somewhere in the middle. Money is an issue, afterall I just dumped a ton on the Edge w/ Attitude, but I also want to do the right thing. I don't want to do any other mods to the tran, etc so don't plan to tow over the 2nd level or run over the third when not towing. How about some good success stories from the middle.

 

[JGrosso]

I have the Edge Juice w/ attitude, and I replaced the filter with the AFE Stage II w/ ProGuard 7 filter. I really don't think the intake upgrade was worth the cost (over $450).

The filter/intake may have lowered my EGT's slightly, maybe 50 degrees?

I din't dyno the change, but I don't think it was worth much power.

On the down side, beside the cost, the new filter / intake is much louder under boost.



I think you can rig up a simple system using a BHAF (Big Honkin Air Filter) from a large truck for less than $100. Search the archives, I think there is info on it?

 

[johncameron]

I think you can rig up a simple system using a BHAF (Big Honkin Air Filter) from a large truck for less than $100. Search the archives, I think there is info on it?

My BHAF is in the mail! 450$ for an AFE is just redicelous



John

 

[BillGotthelf]

Well as far as the BHAF yup they are a lot cheaper than an AFE system but you are not comparing apples to apples. The AFE is a complete cold air intake system with a cleanable lifetime air filter element. The BHAF will clamp on the flexible tube but it is sitting in the engine compartment-a lot of heat there as well as the possibility of water. See those water spots all over your motor every time you drive in the rain? Also depending on the road conditions you'll need to replace that BHAF every so often. Like the commercial says you gonna pay me now or pay me later?

 

[JayWm]

WCrawford,



If you have an early 3rd gen, then you have 3. 5" exhaust from turbo to muffler, if you have 04. 5 or newer you have 4", but a muffler that is restrictive. Based on the reading I've done reasearching for my 05 that I tow with that to see a good drop in egt's you need to at least change the muffler out. I replaced the stock filter with the drop in AFE 7 in the stock box with an AFE torque tube. Saw minimal drop in egt's. So if you want to drop egt's I'd do the exhaust first.



Good luck,

Jay

 

[JPope]

Wasn't this subject debated/researched/debated quite a while ago for the 2nd gens by Joe Donnally, Ted Jennety, Keith @ Diesel Dynamics, Bill Flemming, etc. etc. (back in the good old days , sort of like the transmission and oil wars ) and the final determination for 2nd gens was that until you got over a certain horsepower (400HP maybe 500HP ) that there was not much need to change from the stock except to satisfy your personal whims?

Of course with 3rd gens, maybe something different as you guys start off with more HP than we had

 

[nps]

Does Size Matter?

The size of the air filter is kinda like the size of a condom. Everyone wants to say that they need the biggest one available, but in reality you need the 'right' size to get the job done. :-laf

 

[Hohn]

Air filter size *does* matter, but it depends overall on the filter's design.

If have a a filter that uses a paper element, it has to be much larger to flow a decent amount of air.

An oiled gauze filter can be a lot smaller for a given airflow (or, flow more for a given size) because it doesn't filter as well.

See my LENGTHY postings here:

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?p=454354

 

[JGrosso]

Update to my original post,

The AFE is nice and the pro-Guard is a very good filter, It will folw well even when dirty. I just cleaned and re-oiled my filter. The PG7 is milti-layer and when I re-oiled the filter, the oil won't even soak all the way through the filter, so I believe it should fiter dirt pretty well.



I installed my Magnaflow 5" exhaust yesterday, and all I can say is "I should have done it first!"

Very nice sound, more power, and it seems like better fuel mialage too.

 

[MAtkinson]

I'm looking to improve mileage and considering either an Edge Attitude or Banks Six Gun. My 2006 already has 4" exhaust but Banks wants me to change out the exhaust from the Cat Converter back and use their muffler. Anybody know how much louder it will be?



2006, 2500, Quad, 2WD, Long Bed, No Mods YET.