Just looking for opinions....I've been using the Napa Gold 4" air filters, but as they are now in the $30 range it would seem to make sense to buy an after market dry media filter, being as they are just a bit over twice the price (depending on which one) but are reusable far longer. I'm planning on staying with the OEM box etc. so I'm just looking for reviews, opinion's, and any other advice regarding one particular type or brand works/is better, flat or conical etc, thanks!

 

Switch over to the Wix 49946. It's the same filter and cheaper if you buy off the web or from a local auto parts store that handles Wix products.

 

If I'm not mistaken they make the Napa Gold, do they also make the Napa Gold oil and fuel filters? Can anyone tell me if the flow and filtering characteristics are the same better or worse from the wix filters to the aftermarket types?

 

I'm pretty sure ALL Napa filters are WIX. All Napa brand lubricants are made by Valvoline.

 

Funny you should ask that today. I was reading this earlier today: Air Filter Study Completed!!!!! - TheDieselPage.com Forums You can get one for the Cummins from Rock Auto for about $15.

According to this, the AC Delco comes out on top. Interesting that the Pro Dry comes out in the middle or at the bottom for some tests, along with the Wix/NAPA.

Unfortunately, they didn't include a Fleetguard. I'v been using Fleetguards for about 100K miles. They only last about 6-7K miles. I think next time I'll try the AC Delco; maybe it will last longer.

FILTER Dirt Holding Capacity

AC Delco 573.898 grams
WIX/Napa Gold 447.366 g
Purolator 388.659 g
Baldwin 388.154 g
UNI 374.638 g
Mystery bargain 350.402 g
AFE Pro Guard 7 232.516 g
K&N 211.580 g
Amsoil 196.323 g

 

I am not surprised by the results depicted in that Air Filter Study. They are very much in line with my experience. We are blessed with that little vacuum tell tale indicator on our air box. Believe it, it tells no lies.

 

Is there anything wrong with the OEM thick one that the dealer sells? Is that made by Fleetguard? That's what I've been using.

 

I have been buying my filters by the case for years. you must be very careful to only use the thick ones. The thicker the better. The thinner ones fit just fine, but are very restrictive and really hurts power and economy. I threw a whole case away because of that. I never use K&N or other performance filters because they don't filter nearly good enough. I have received different thicknesses under the same number. Buyer beware!

 

That study and testing was done in July, 2004. I wonder what has changed in nearly 11 years??

 

Well for one thing, the Mopar 4" filter holds 540 grams of dust…it's printed right on the filter. IMHO, there is NO better air filter for 3rd gen trucks. AFAIK, the below parts#ls are all the same--

Napa P/N - FIL9946
Wix P/N - 49946
Dodge P/N - 53034249AA

Dust capacity - 540g
Max air flow rate - 675 cfm
Max pressure drop - 0. 36 psi
Efficiency - 99. 6%
42 pleats 3. 75" tall

 

Well thanks for the input folks, Been using the 4" napa gold for air filters ended up sticking with that vein, I ordered all Wix filters through Rock Auto saved $15-$20 even with the shipping over locals selling Wix, even more over NAPA. Been using NAPA gold for years but decided to revisit what I was using because it seemed that using an aftermarket replacement would eventually save me money but after a lot of reading there really is nothing to suggest they are better (or maybe not even as good as) than the 4" paper style pleated air filters for stock applications.

 

I would like to see Fleetguard in more tests but I can say, they're second to none. I picked my filters from the FG catalog when I built my system and Used the M series elements and my last UOA came back showing zero for silicon. I called the oil. Lab and verified that the results were accurate. I also used a magma helix to measure the DP... 1.2" WC at WOT @ redline. The OEM paper was 17". Craig

 

This reply is a little bit OT, but related. I use K&N filters on my hot rod motors and bikes, but never on my utility vehicles. I don't expect more than 25,000 miles out of the sport motors, so longevity is not a major concern, but I expect to see at 500k miles out of my diesel truck, so quality filtration and fuel consumption are the major concerns, not horsepower!