What's the best by-pass kit out there? Where did you get it? I did a search and found several models. What are you guys running? What do you like and not like about the kit you've got?

Thanks
Kris

 

I use Oilguard @ oilgaurd.com. I bought when they had a 1/2 price sale otherwise I would have used Frantz. I paid $6.50@ for a case of filters. Oilgaurd uses a string-wound filter - it looks like a ball of yarn but string-wound filters are excellent. They are used in laboratory applications a lot and have outrageous holding capacity. It is keeping my soot level down to nearly nothing - and soot is submicron. Amsoil is popular but high $$$ for the filters. FWIW,The old guy that used to sell Frantz also sold Ams and thought Frantz did a better job than Ams. Craig

 

I have the single Amsoil by pass and like it. I also was impressed by the Oilguard. As I understand Oilguard and Amsoil are nearly the same performance wise.
I chose the Amsoil because I was able to get a much better price break on it than I could with the Oilguard. It is a billet machined piece that looks good and the hose/fittings supplied were very good too. The test port was just standard draincock stuff- off the shelf and brings the look down a little but performs as designed.
I do think the Oilguard has a better sample setup that is very sleek, and I liked the filter media they use.

Amsoil gives you three choices in filter size, if ya got the room you can spin on a 10 inch long filter that has a lot greater capacity than the smaller ones so you can run them longer.

I know some run the Frantz, but I personally did not care for that system.

I would have gotten the Oilguard, but as stated the price on the other unit was just too much lower to ignore. Considering it was going under the truck (PSD) on the frame rail it seemed a waste to get the more esthetic Oilguard.

I don't regret my choice now that the unit is under the hood though.

Big Jimmy

 

C Schomer,

How were you able to find a 1/2-off sale on the Oilguard? Do they have those sales often? How do you hear about them?

Where did you plumb in the return line?
How often do you change the Oilguard element & the full-flow filter (time or miles or both)?
Are you running a synthetic (which one) & are you running extended oil change intervals?
Sorry for all the questions but, I've been considering the Oilguard, also, along with Schaeffer's 9000, 5X40, fully synthetic.

Half price on an Oilguard would put me over the edge!!! I'd do it in a heartbeat!!!

Thanks.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

I'm considering bypass filter too. Keep the info comming.

 

That oilguard kit sure is easy looking to install. $230 is a little much for what you get in the kit.

 

So please tell me. What does this do? What is the major benefit to your truck?

I am guessing it helps keep your oil cleaner and allows you to extend your oil change intervals, right?


If I am changing my oil every 5k (shell rotella T 15w/40 with Fleetguard stratapore filter), is there really any need for this bypass kit?

 

About 5 yrs ago Oilgaurd moved and sold out their stock @ 1/2 price. For < $200 I got the kit and 20 elements. I would have used Frantz before paying Oilgaurd full price. All the new filter technology isn't any better than properly packed TP in the Frantz - I have experience with them from the 60s. I did a google search to find bypass filters and found Oilgaurd and at that time, the Frantz rep who has since passed away. Old George Walker had terrific horse-sense! Oilgaurd claims it's safe to at least double the normal oem change recommendation even with petro oil. I don't doubt that at all because the oem change is very conservative to begin with. On my 97, I used a bulkhead fitting and returned into the bottom of the oil fill spout. When I move it to my 03, I will drill and tap somewhere - maybe the valve cover. I've run up to 25k on syn oil and one bypass element. I haven't done analysis for a long time - since I've established a good, safe change routine. I will start analysis again on my 03 when I change oil on it. I'd like to go 20k on the oil, 2 fullflows and 1 bypass. The oil is the only element I worry about making it. If memory works, the soot would go up to .7% and never go any higher since using the Oilgaurd. I've been going 7500 on the fullflow and could go a lot more. I don't do this blindly - I check the delta P with a gauge (I tapped a test port at the inlet side of the filter base to allow this). 7500 on the fullflow still only shows less than 2 psi drop. Bypass wouldn't be cost effective w/o an extended change program unless you use Frantz/TP. I've used Lube Engineers, RP and Schaeffers 7000 - the 7000 is doing the best. All 15w40. Hope this helps! Craig

 

C Schomer,

Thanks for your really informative posts.

I've, also, heard that the "toilet paper filters" worked really well & were economical to use (toilet paper's cheap). The only downside that I see is that you are supposed to change the TP filters every 2000/3000 miles. Use of this type of filter becomes more labor intensive & the "make-up oil" adds to the cost, also.

I was looking at the Filtration Solutions (FS-2500) Bypass filter & it looks like it cleans very well. But, it's initial cost is expensive ($459.00) & the filters are $22.95 ea. & need to be replaced every 10,000 miles.

From my reading, the Oilguard seems to be a pretty good compromise in cost & frequency of filter changes.

Glad to hear that you like the Schaeffer's 7000. Everything I have read about that oil on BITOG (bob is the oil guy.com) shows that product to be of excellent quality. I've been thinking of switching to the Schaeffer's 9000, which, is a full-synthetic. The additive packages, in both, are supposed to be quite similar (very robust). The base oil is fully-synthetic as opposed to a blend for the 7000. The 9000 is a 5wX40, also. I've been told, numerous times, that both oils are so good that the only real benefit to the 9000 is for severe-cold starting. Also, the High Temperature/High Shear in the 9000 is supposed to be a bit better. Here in Phoenix, all the distributors carry, & recommend, is the 7000.

Thanks, again, for your posts & everyone elses posts on this subject.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

One of the cheapest bypass filters is the Fleetgaurd. I don't know the pt#s but it's a remote base and uses spin-on filters. The base is about $25 (I've heard) and the filters are very reasonable. I think the filters are only 5 mic. but that's still twice as good as a fullflow. They are meant for big engines and I think the orifice is .125". Guys have used them on their B's and say their oil pressure is still good. The Oilgaurd is about .040" or .050". I get my Schaeffers from Gordon Rogers - about 83 ave & Indian School, 623 873 2173. Shouldn't be too far from you. He didn't think there was a need for me to use the 9000 but he couldn't say how many miles the 7000 is good for, either - i.a.w. extended service. I think he said the Schaeffer analysis kits are $7.50 - that's as low as I've seen test kits. I need to get some and check my 97 - I have about 7k miles on the 7000 now. Craig

 

Ok, back to the top. Anybody?

 

TexasCDT,

I just finished writing a "Doctoral Dissertation" explaining how bypass filters work & AOL saw fit to "shut down", erasing my reply.

Basically, The bypass is an additional filter that continuously takes a small amount of oil (approximately 1 qt./minute) & super-filters it down to a very low micron range (1 micron,+/-). A stock, full-flow, oil filter will clean in the 15-40 micron range.

The extraordinarily clean oil "lives" longer in your engine allowing extended oil drain intervals & since the oil is so clean of abrasives, there is less wear on the engine.

Unless you drive an extreme number of miles (towing commercially) and/or plan on keeping your vehicle for a very long time & number of miles, you probably do not need a bypass filter. However, many people like the "Best" for their trucks & are willing to pay extra for additional filtration. Gives them that "warm, fuzzy feeling".

If you would like to learn more on this subject, I would recommend that you check-out "bob is the oil guy.com" (BITOG) & look under their "Bypass Filters Forum". You can also check-out bypass filter manufacturers websites, like Oilguard.com, for additional info.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

Ok thanks Joe. It may be something for me to look at for the future. I do plan to keep my truck for a long time, but I don't tow commercially. I am sure my motor will outlast my truck as it is.....with every 5k oil changes. Thanks.

 

Punching the numbers and I think it would pay for itself in 2 yrs for me. I drive 30,000 plus a year though. I got a quote on the fs-2500 at $429. Don't think I'll be going that route. It's the kit in the diesel power magazine. Looks nice, but not that much nicer than the oilguard.

Kris

 

Well the filtration is better leading to less wear but for me the equation was also about how to deal with less oil. I originally got my by-pass for my PSD that held 14 quarts. Draining out that much oil every 4000-5000 miles seemed wasteful considering the only thing wrong with it was the dirt in it. Two changes and I had my own small waste oil storage facility.

I also looked at the long term. The longer I own this system the cheaper it gets- initial cost slowly erased by the longer drain intervals.

Whats great about my CTD is I can change the oil just under once a year. I am so confident in this engine that I do not worry about analysis more often.

I may not see the wear benefits a by-pass system offers. Maybe the truck will meet a train head on or something. However, that was never the reason I put it in my CTD, since I knew this motor was capable of a lot of miles without it.
Its just easier to have it than not.

I spend less time under the truck, which might not seem a big deal but I really like not having to think about an oil change but once a year or so.


Big Jimmy