Okay so most of you probably knew about this way before I figured it out, but though I'd post it anyway.

Specifically, I just installed the AFE Magnum Force intake kit with the new ProGuard 7 filter instead of the standard gauze filter. The Magnum Force is just the new name for the Mega Cannon, I believe, so the only thing different is the filter. So far I am very impressed. Acceleration feels slightly improved, and the turbo has a nice sound now without being loud.

I have been debating what intake to buy for close to a year now and as soon as I saw this, I wanted it. I had considered a BHAF, the Mega Cannon, and of course the Scotty II. I was concerned about running an oiled gauze filter, as even AFE told me flat out that they did not filter as finely as a paper filter. There was an inherent trade-off between filtration and airflow. So I was leaning towards a BHAF, but I really hate fab work and didn't know how I was gonna build a heat shield for it.

Then I found this. The ProGuard 7 is basically the same kit as the old Mega Cannon but with AFE's new 7 layer oil based filter. Unlike traditional oil filters, the filtration efficiency is as good as a paper filter, with air flow almost as high as a typical gauze filter. AFE has not released airflow specs for the filter yet, but I called them and asked. They told me it is about an 8% reduction over their traditional oiled gauze filter, which flows 820 cfm. So this one should flow just over 750 cfm. Not bad for a full filtration filter.

I am very happy with it.

 

Yeah, I've had an AFE PG7 since last summer. Run it in the desert dust off-road a lot. Never seen the fines inside the hose the way I've seen them with other oil/gauze filters. No oil on the turbo blades, either. The poly underlayers apparently help. I run a prefilter, just to be sure.

 

Morning,

This is a test done on a Duramax (don't get upset) and I thought you would be interested in the info concerning dirt and filters etc. The original oil sample was done on a factory paper filter and it got 3 PPM silicone levels.

This is why we ONLY distribute the Pro Guard 7 systems, we used to do oiled foam but now this flows so much more and still stops the dirt.

Here's what Dan Montegari of Precision Diesel Services says about advanced FLOW engineering's Pro-GUARD 7 filter media:

HIGH FLOW AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS

WHO IS THE BEST & WHY!

We received many letters asking which high flow air intake system to use. We decided to test a number of manufacturers’ systems to determine which system was superior. We tested each system and found systems manufactured by AFE (Advanced Flow Engineering) were the best by far.

Diesel engines use seven times more air than gasoline engines of equivalent size so clean cool air is a must for extended engine life, better fuel economy and additional power. A higher flow of intake air coupled with a high flow exhaust system allows for more power, a better fuel economy, extended engine life and reduced exhaust temperatures. On the other hand ingested dirt through the air intake system becomes Silicon in the engine oil, which is a harsh cutting agent and can damage your engine quickly.

We tested three very popular systems. I will not mention the names of the other systems as a courtesy but I will explain what problems we found with them. We evaluated the systems by a number of criteria, filtration protection, flow, and design, easy of installation and cost. Almost in the beginning of the tests we realized in most instances a new intake system was necessary to achieve our goals. We needed a kit that used mostly outside air and not hot engine compartment air. We decided to use systems designed to use mostly outside air.

Two manufacturers claimed their systems delivered cleaner air at a higher flow but this was far from the truth. We did not believe any of the manufacturers’ claims and tested each system by operating the vehicle 3,000 miles and performing an engine oil analysis to determine Silicon levels in the engine oil. The vehicle we used has an engine oil analysis performed at every oil change so we had a Silicon number of three (3) to base our tests on.

The first manufacturer’s system was fairly easy to install but we had problems with the oil used to coat the filter also coated the Mass Air Flow Sensor causing a service engine lamp to come on. I called the manufacturer but they had no explanation as to why this should happen but they had this complaint before. Through the three thousand mile test I had to clean the sensor three times to stop the service engine lamp from coming on. When the oil analysis results came back, it was discouraging with Silicon levels at eleven (11). I almost could not believe the result so we changed the oil and filter and repeated the test. The results were almost the same eliminating this manufacturer quickly. I contacted the manufacturer to discuss the results and they were not helpful and basically said, “what you see is what you get”!

We installed the second manufacturer’s system again changing the engine oil and operating the vehicle for three thousand miles. The first problem we encountered was the service engine lamp coming on and I thought the oil they used was coating the sensor again. I removed the sensor and found some oil on it which I cleaned off and reinstalled the sensor. Within ten miles the lamp was on again. I removed the sensor but there was no coating of oil on it. I then placed our scan tool on the engine and quickly discovered the airflow rate was too high for the sensor. I then realized the manufacturer had moved the position of the sensor into a higher airflow and velocity position trying to squeak a little more power from their system. I continued the test having to deal with the service engine lamp throughout the test period. The engine oil analysis gave a Silicon reading of eight (8 and along with the engine lamp problem did not give the manufacturer high mark but I felt if I discussed the problems with them maybe we could overcome them. I placed four calls to the manufacturer and I am still waiting for a call back! This surely eliminated this manufacturer.

The third manufacturer we tested was AFE (Advanced Flow Engineering). We used their Magnum Force air intake system. We operated the vehicle for 3000 miles and when the oil analysis came back it was promising with a Silicon reading of five (5). While five was the best Silicon result we had, it was not good enough. I called AFE and was pleasantly surprised when I discovered they were truly concerned. I spoke with a Mr. Paul Hardley who suggested I try their Pro-Guard 7 media they were about to release. He explained the new Pro-Guard 7 media was five layers of progressively finer mesh medical grade cotton gauze with micro fibers that attract smaller and smaller particles as air passes through. Combined with the five layers of medical [gauze] media, there are two layers of non-woven synthetic polyester fabric with random porosity. The filter media is sandwiched between two layers of aluminum wire mesh. He agreed to send two Pro-Guard 7 filters for a new test. I installed the Pro-Guard 7 filter, changed the engine oil and operated the vehicle for three thousand miles. The engine oil analysis was excellent with a Silicon reading of below three (3). Finally we found an air intake system that gave us a higher flow rate and better filtration. The AFE Magnum Force air intake system is a well designed system, easily installed and uses about 90% outside air. The filter is cleanable and the oil used to coat the filter is patented because it is formulated not to affect the airflow sensor.

Another positive factor of the high flow system was the fuel economy increased about ½ MPG in mixed driving and 1 MPG during highway tests. The filter media used by AFE will not collapse if it gets wet or subject to high boost pressures. They also offer pre-filters for most of their applications for very dusty or dirty operating conditions. We carry a full line of AFE products with Pro-GUARD 7 media. If you order an AFE system from another source, make sure it has a Pro-GUARD 7 media.

A very important factor in this test was the manufacturer was willing to discuss problems with their products and help to overcome them. My hat is off to Paul Hardley and all the people at AFE!

Dan Montegari
President
Precision Diesel Services


Call us if we can answer any questions etc, 866-455-7788.

Mark @ DPPI

 

I have an AFE Magnum Force intake kit - how do I know which filter came with it? (I bought the kit off eBay BTW)


Oh, thanks for posting Mark - I had been looking for a diesel place in Nashville and looks like I found one by looking at this thread

 

If it's yellow and you can't see pinholes next to a strong light, it's the AFE Proguard 7.

 

I bought the megacannon for my '02 when it first came out, I just ordered the progaurd 7 filter for it yesterday from Mr. Bob's distributing, he's a got a sweet deal for us guys that bought the first filter. On his website it has flow comparisons of the 7 with the BHAF, and the stock setup, and the original megacannon filter.

Sucks spending another hundred bucks, but oh well, live and learn.

 

DRM,

The PG7's have a sticker on the box that designates if they are PG7, just take a look and see if it's there. Come see us anytime, there is a Dodge group here too if you're interested.

Mark @ DPPI

 

does the intake kit make these trucks any louder as far as the motor goes when you are driving? I installed a k&n intake kit on my 00 chevy before I bought this truck, it made the moter quite a bit louder during normal driving and alot louder during hard acceleration.

 

No sticker that I saw - guess I got the old style.. oh well

A whole group here in Nashville? Sheesh -I bought this thing out of utility, and am already having too much fun "playing" with it that I should probably steer clear of that kind of "support group" if I were smart