Amsoil EA Air Filters Not That Great?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 438
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From: Mannford, Oklahoma
I've had my Amsoil filter on for almsot 20k and I have no complaints. Just recently removed my S&B Intake for the 1st time since I installed it (some 50k ago) so I could remove my silencer ring and there wasnt any dust on the inside of the tube, intake boot to turbo, or the turbo....
I can't tell any difference in sound, performance, MPG, or EGTs switching from the S&B to the Amsoil....but the Amsoil sure is easier to clean!
I can't tell any difference in sound, performance, MPG, or EGTs switching from the S&B to the Amsoil....but the Amsoil sure is easier to clean!
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Filter minders CAN tell you the difference in flow between two filters though. If one brand new filter pulls the minder down on a WOT run, then you put another filter in and do a WOT run and it isn't pulled down, which do you think flows better?
An oils gauze element will look FILTHY and still be outflowing a cleaner looking paper filter. Because more of the dust is stuck to the outside edge where the oil is making it look dirtier. I am not saying the filter better, but judging a filter's restriction level based on the way it looks it akin to thinking your oil is used up in your 04.5 or newer CTD because it is black. Doesn't mean a **** thing.
An oils gauze element will look FILTHY and still be outflowing a cleaner looking paper filter. Because more of the dust is stuck to the outside edge where the oil is making it look dirtier. I am not saying the filter better, but judging a filter's restriction level based on the way it looks it akin to thinking your oil is used up in your 04.5 or newer CTD because it is black. Doesn't mean a **** thing.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 405
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From: NE Illinois
Venturi effect? It simply measures the "pull" needed to get air through the filter and into the intake tract. When the engine is working hard and needing more air there is going to be a drop in pressure on the clean side of the filter. That drop in pressure will suck down the filter minder UNLESS the filter can flow enough air to keep the pressure drop above the threshold for setting off the filter minder. It is a very simple spring loaded device that responds to suction on the clean side of the filter.
If you take the lid off your airbox and plug the top of it up so that it will barely suck in air then try and do a WOT run with your truck, your filter minder will suck in. I can do the same thing on my utility tractor just messing around. With the top screen off the intake tube above the hood, if I press my palm flat against it, shutting off the air, the filter minder sucks down and a light comes on on my dash.
If you change the configuration of your intake tube or something however, like go narrower or larger, it can effect the way the minder will work, making it worthless. It is designed only for the position for where it sits. A heavier spring would be needed for a mind going into a smaller tube than stock and a lighter spring if the tube would be larger, etc. On a modified intake the minder becomes worthless.
And no I still don't agree that by looking at a filter and seeing dirt on it that it means it is restrictive. If you have two of the exact same kind of filter and one if filthy and one is clean yes, the safe bet would be that the clean one will flow more.
But to compare a stock paper air filter that is clean and say it will flow better than a K&N is covered in dirt, MEANS NOTHING. The OEM filter on my truck would suck down the filter minder when it was brand new. Napa Gold/Amsoil/and AirRaid that I have had on my truck will not budge the filter minder with stock power. The Amsoil sucks down to 35% on a WOT run with Smarty on 70hp.
If you take the lid off your airbox and plug the top of it up so that it will barely suck in air then try and do a WOT run with your truck, your filter minder will suck in. I can do the same thing on my utility tractor just messing around. With the top screen off the intake tube above the hood, if I press my palm flat against it, shutting off the air, the filter minder sucks down and a light comes on on my dash.
If you change the configuration of your intake tube or something however, like go narrower or larger, it can effect the way the minder will work, making it worthless. It is designed only for the position for where it sits. A heavier spring would be needed for a mind going into a smaller tube than stock and a lighter spring if the tube would be larger, etc. On a modified intake the minder becomes worthless.
And no I still don't agree that by looking at a filter and seeing dirt on it that it means it is restrictive. If you have two of the exact same kind of filter and one if filthy and one is clean yes, the safe bet would be that the clean one will flow more.
But to compare a stock paper air filter that is clean and say it will flow better than a K&N is covered in dirt, MEANS NOTHING. The OEM filter on my truck would suck down the filter minder when it was brand new. Napa Gold/Amsoil/and AirRaid that I have had on my truck will not budge the filter minder with stock power. The Amsoil sucks down to 35% on a WOT run with Smarty on 70hp.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 205
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From: Greeneville, TN
These tests showing the Amsoil EA filter to be less than spectacular WERE done in a controlled ISO 5011, putting their filter up against pretty much every other notable aftermarket filter out there. It lends them a little credibility as well that they showed Air Raid filters kicking their butts in the test too. AFE Proguard 7 also did really well.
I was just disappointed in the Amsoil's efficiency rating. (On top of having 9% more restriction than the stock filter they tested it against) These things are supposed to be the best filtering filter out there yet they were not looking so hot in these tests.
My actual stock filter was restrictive bad, but my stock replacement Napa Gold drop in I got later flowed very well. Just depends on what "stock" you mean. Stock for a PSD might flow better, I don't know.
I recently took my intake hoses apart to put my cord on my block heater and noted there was some dust on everything, which surprised me because last time I had it off after having the Napa filter in there, it was clean as could be. I thought I had a sealing problem somewhere since the Amsoil filter is so good it has to be something else right? Well I went through everything and didn't find any problem areas, just retightened everything down and will check again sometime. I even put a dab of grease along the top edge of the filter to make sure the lid of the airbox was seating properly. (It was) I guess I need to do a UOA because I haven't done one in a LONG time. Maybe that will tell me how well it is filtering.
I hope it is doing a good job, I spent a fair amount of money on it, and they are cleanable so I figured I might have it as long as I own the truck. I am a believer in Amsoil products for the most part, have never done me wrong, but was a bit surprised by this study. Even if it is from another company.
I was just disappointed in the Amsoil's efficiency rating. (On top of having 9% more restriction than the stock filter they tested it against) These things are supposed to be the best filtering filter out there yet they were not looking so hot in these tests.
My actual stock filter was restrictive bad, but my stock replacement Napa Gold drop in I got later flowed very well. Just depends on what "stock" you mean. Stock for a PSD might flow better, I don't know.
I recently took my intake hoses apart to put my cord on my block heater and noted there was some dust on everything, which surprised me because last time I had it off after having the Napa filter in there, it was clean as could be. I thought I had a sealing problem somewhere since the Amsoil filter is so good it has to be something else right? Well I went through everything and didn't find any problem areas, just retightened everything down and will check again sometime. I even put a dab of grease along the top edge of the filter to make sure the lid of the airbox was seating properly. (It was) I guess I need to do a UOA because I haven't done one in a LONG time. Maybe that will tell me how well it is filtering.
I hope it is doing a good job, I spent a fair amount of money on it, and they are cleanable so I figured I might have it as long as I own the truck. I am a believer in Amsoil products for the most part, have never done me wrong, but was a bit surprised by this study. Even if it is from another company.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: North Carolina or Kentucky. Take your pick
Just goes to show that you can put anything on paper (for advertising purposes) and fool a lot of people. Talk is even cheaper when it comes to selling. The I say, he said, they say, we found is unfortunatelly speculation that is not scientficlly a proveable fact in many cases.
Use good stuff, change frequentlly enough, pay attention to detail, you'l be O'K.
Use good stuff, change frequentlly enough, pay attention to detail, you'l be O'K.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Wilton, Ca
I have had my Amsoil filter on for 30K miles and haven't cleaned it yet. An my UAO's are coming back perfect. I'll stick with it.
Like others have said the reports are often biased. I'm sure I could write an article showing one filter/oil/etc was better than another and some folks would buy into it...present company excluded of course.
Like others have said the reports are often biased. I'm sure I could write an article showing one filter/oil/etc was better than another and some folks would buy into it...present company excluded of course.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 616
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From: B.C. Canada
No way is that filter restrictive. The stock air box is restrictive. A word of caution though, Nano filters are still a cellulose (paper) based with nano fibers in the mix. In a exposed open intake location water can soak the filter, wise to use a prefilter cover. The drop in nano in the stock airbox is better insulated from water, road salt spray.
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