What is the best BHAF and setup?

[HeavyHauler]

You guys have convinced me that I need a BHAF worse than anything. I need to know what brand you guys use and do you do anything for a "pre-filter" or can I just drop thing thing in and roll?



If I understand correctly, the BHAF replaces the stock air box and hooks up directly to the hose. Which means there is no need for any custom installation. Is this right?



Also, what drawbacks are there to using a BHAF? Do I have to be careful about getting it wet? Does it get dirtier quicker than other enclosed filters? I just need to know the basics.



What about a heat shield? Do I need one with the BHAF and if I do, how do I go about making one? Or are they available to purchase? You'll have to forgive my stupid questions.



If I can get some quick replies I'll be heading to the Cummins dealer in the morning to pick one up.



Thanks for the input.

 

[jwinnie]

HeavyHauler,



A prefilter is not 100% required but I would recommend one to keep the big debris out. Me and alot of guys are running an Outerwears prefilter witch works pretty good and is supposed to be water resistant. I have popped the hood after driving in heavy rain and not seen any evidence of water. A search on "Outerwears" should get you a part#.



I am running a Napa filter Part # 2790 but from what I have read they are all pretty even.



Yes it goes in place of the stock airbox and you can buy a mount for it but I didn't. I just covered up the studs on the wheel well so as not to punch holes in the filter.



I highly recommend a heat shield such as Larry B's .



I also cut a piece of PVC pipe to fit in the outlet of the filter so I could get the hose clamp good and tight as some members have had the hose pop off the filter (not good )



Hope this helps,



John

 

[moparguy]

Heavy, I've read most if not all the BHAF threads and will share a few opinions.



If running stock, no fuel enhancements, you likely won't see any benefit beyond the improved seal of filter to intake hose. I've pulled many stock air box's open with stock filters and seen dust in the intake hose from a bad seal with the two piece box.



Of course there is the cool factor of having a BIG HONKING AIR FILTER staring at you when you open the hood .



From reading your sig. I'd recommend a EGT Boost and fuel pressure guage setup as the most important first upgrade.



I ran my first BHAF for about a year with no shield and had zero problems of any kind. It did help my egt's and did not have the annoying turbo sound some have reported with other filter upgrades. Some have reported issues with water when not using a shield. I didn't see that and I ran fast though some deep stuff, lots of heavy rain. Worked for me.



Now I'm using a home grown stainless housing that's sealed and connected to the cowl duct and the stock fresh air opening.



I do recommend a piece of 4" exhaust tubing 3 or 4" long be used as a stiffener in the filter outlet.



Now, having said all that, I'm on the verge of spending $90 or so to purchase a AFE ProGuard 7 filter, it may be a better unit. We'll see.



Good luck, Ronnie.

 

[DWendt]

Another place to check for the filters is on e-bay. I picked mine up for less than $125. 00 including heatshield and shipping. Run a search for air filters or search cummins diesel.



Good luck, love the sound of the turbo,



Derek

 

[Piston Slapper]

Fleetguard # AH19037,

NAPA filter # 2790

Donaldson # B105006

WIX # 42790

Baldwin # PA2820



Outerwears prefilter (sock)

1-800-967-3450

12611 US 131

Schoolcraft, MI 49087



Part#: WR3325-105

WR3325-105YL



WR = water resistan (this is an option)

Next 7 digits are the part number for that size filter

Last two letters (YL) are the color, I ordered Yellow.

I don't know the color designations for red or black but I assume they are as simple (RD, BK)



This link shows a Outerwears Prefilter sock:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=726203#post726203

 

[Forrest]

Moparguy ... can you e-mail some pictures of your cowl BHAF housing?





Forrest

 

[RDietze]

advantage: lots of air

disadvantage: heated engine compartment air (cool/dense air should be the order here), they are BIG and you have to have the room - no room for a precleaner which extends filter life (like on the big rigs)



the above link shows a scotty air intake: sux cool air in, BUT uses a gauze filter that doesn't meet OEM filtering specs (very bad). pan up on the above link and you can see a pic of the heat shield - not so sure this device really brings down compartment air temps.



be wary of sitting the filter on an area with a lot of filter surface area contacting the truck - this drastically cuts down on what is trying to be achieved (BIG air in) - it's called radial clearance.



i don't understand why someone doesn't design a "cold air" intake that flows ~900-1K CFM and filters to OEM specs ~99. 5%. I WOULD BUY ONE! this isn't rocket science



i do recommend the outerwears

 

[HeavyHauler]

Does anyone know if a prefilter (along with a K&N) will decrease turbo whistle?

I appreciate all of the input. I think I'll stick with the stock box K&N for now. Sounds like too much work and money for a filter setup that might not benefit me at all. I'm sure the K&N flows just as good as I need put I'm concerned about the fact that it doesn't have a prefilter.



I may just buy another Purolater filter from Advance Auto Parts and get the prefilter off of it. But if it cuts down on the turbo whistle greatly, I may have to try something else.



Does anyone know if a prefilter (along with a K&N) will decrease turbo whistle?

 

[tschwab]

Check out the aFe Mega Cannon, if your in a dusty area, they make a Proguard 7 filter. Really like mine and with the silencer ring out, you really get alot of turbo whistle which I like + 4" exhaust turbo back, some people may find it annoying though. Sure turns alot of heads

 

[WadePatton]

If you ever remove the stock airbox, you WON'T put it back.



Loosen one screw and the whole BHAF and hose comes right out of there for oil filter/other access.



The turbo sound alone is ! I was driving home from Black Mountain Diesel and said to self--why the heck don't I put that air filter on. So I did in a rest area. Started the truck and WOW--sounded like the turbo was in the glove box!



It's a big change over stock. A big improvement too. Sorta like my 5" exhaust--I didn't NEED it, but I LIKE it for the sound.



I use 5" surgical stocking as a pre-filter.



Also my BHAF is the Fleetguard and needs no stiffener.



Also at my current power level, I'm looking at a Scotty II and will dyno with BHAF and Scotty when I dyno again.

 

[fullthrottlefarmer]

I don't know what BHAF stands for but I just got one and this thing sounds like a Mack truck now With the 4 inch exhaust. I had a stock filter before. Sounds nice.

 

[CumminsPower98]

BHAF = Big Honging Air Filter



I noticed a little less turbo noise with the BHAF then I had with stock box and K&N. I pulled the K&N when I got an oil sample back with 50 ppm silicone. Silicone has come way down since the BHAF.

 

[WadePatton]

Don't know what at "hong" is. I thought it was "Big Honking Air Filter" Which is the polite way of repeating what folks say when you raise the hood--which is more like BFAF!

 

[CumminsPower98]

Hmmm, looks like I hit the wrong key there.