S&B Dry Air Filter Review

[redone17]

Very curious if anyone running the S&B filter is also performing used oil analysis testing and can confirm there is a significant reduction in silicon versus the OEM filter.

From my perspective, this is where the rubber meets the road. Increase engine noise is cool and all of that, but given twin turbochargers, improved filtering efficiency is mandatory or else the OEM filter wins.

I’ll let you know next service.

Sponsored

 

[Bronc6g22]

Finally received my S&B (2 weeks after order). A couple notes:
1. My OEM paper was fully saturated with dust/debris. However the inside looks pristine with no evidence of dust in the inlet tube. It does its job even though not the prettiest.
2. The S&B certainly looks nicer. You really need to force the end down until it engages behind the angle at the base of the air box. I cannot get it horizontal (although I think OEM was slightly angled up as well). Butt dyno is happy. However may just be because of a clean filter.

 

[EL in NH]

I added the S&B filter . Went for a ride on a familiar route. The 100 mile route has about equal highway (70 mph) and country 2 lane roads (45-50 mph.) In the past I have gotten 18.4 mpg at best. The trip with the S&B I got 20.4 mpg. shrug... Can't imagine why a filter would make that much difference ; though it's obvious from it's construction it has more filtered surface area. Observations will continue.

 

[HighVelocity]

I just ordered an S&B non-oiled. Is anyone using a filter sock over theirs?

 

[redone17]

I just ordered an S&B non-oiled. Is anyone using a filter sock over theirs?

I don’t see the need. I just bought two. So, I have one to clean out when I have time and swap them back and forth. This was after 8 months/9000 miles. Not bad. I’ll go longer next time around. I just wanted to swap before a 1800 mile road trip.

 

[CitrusBronco]

I’ll let you know next service.

Not sure how far you are out on your next service, any update on the sample test with S&B?

 

[redone17]

Not sure how far you are out on your next service, any update on the sample test with S&B?

I’ve got another 900 miles or so.

 

[BlueWaffle]

I’ve got another 900 miles or so.

How are those 900 miles going?

 

[redone17]

How are those 900 miles going?

Just pulled the sample yesterday. It’s going in the mail tomorrow. I never used AMSOIL for a COA. I’ve done the last few with Black Stone. I’m taking advice from @CarbonSteel and giving this a go.

 

[threebanger]

I waited a bit to post my results, but after 1k miles, I have gone from 18.3 to 18.8 MPG combined.

 

[Leafy]

I just changed out my S&B dry filter with the Donaldson one. It’s a funky fit but I feel better using this filter since it’s what a lot of my big tractors use as an air filter.

Which Donaldson did you buy for the stock air box?

 

[redone17]

Wow, that was fast. MUCH faster turnaround than Blackstone.

Check it out @CarbonSteel

For reference - here is my most recent Blackstone at 27k about a year ago:

 

[BlueWaffle]

Wow, that was fast. MUCH faster turnaround than Blackstone.

Check it out @CarbonSteel

For reference - here is my most recent Blackstone at 27k about a year ago:

The important bit is the silicon number correct?

 

[CarbonSteel]

Wow, that was fast. MUCH faster turnaround than Blackstone.

Check it out @CarbonSteel

For reference - here is my most recent Blackstone at 27k about a year ago:

A few things to note:

1. Pay attention to the difference in the fuel dilution readings; Blackstone notes "TR" or trace whereas Polaris gives you an actual reading of 5.0%. This is because Polaris uses gas chromatography testing which is highly accurate versus Blackstone's "flame test" which is incredibly subjective and inaccurate. Both of the runs were about the same ~6100 miles, yet there is only a trace of fuel according to Blackstone? Total bovine scatology.

For me, 5.0% fuel dilution is about as high as I want to see on a UOA despite the "moderate" note by Polaris. At 5.0%, you have more than a 1/2QT of gasoline in the oil which is more than enough to thin/break it down and it does not lubricate well either. There is no indication of accelerated wear at this point, but I would use Polaris going forward and monitor fuel dilution rates particularly in the winter. I would opine some of the earlier Blackstone runs were >5.0% dilution.

Look at the cST viscosity levels in the Blackstone report for some of your earlier runs, where they are bolded. Those viscosity levels are xW-20 range (xW-30 range is 9.3 to 12.5 cSt) and yet they have minimum fuel in them? Typically, there are only 2 things that reduce viscosity--fuel dilution and mechanical shearing. The 2.3L is not known for shearing, but as a direct injected (DI) engine, it is known for fuel dilution which is the case here.

2. Blackstone charges extra for the Total Base Number (TBN) test which tells you how much active additive you have remaining. Fuel dilution creates more acid in combustion by-products which equates to a more rapid reduction of TBN. It is an important metric and so, why pay more for it? As a side note, 2.0 TBN is near the end of what I consider usable, though some drive their vehicles never knowing what it is at all or down to <1.0. I want to keep wear down and oil is relatively cheap so I stop at 2.0 TBN or 2.5% dilution (no more than 3.5%).

3. Silicon numbers continue to drop which is a benefit of the sealants (which contain silicon--not to be confused with silicone) washing out of the engine BUT could also be indicating the efficiency of the S&B filter vs. OEM. @redone17 - at what mileage did you install the S&B filter?

 

[redone17]

@CarbonSteel - yeah, that amount of fuel has me a bit concerned. I’ll be sending in another from the next oil change to see if it was a fluke.

Thanks for the explanation. I was wondering why there was such a discrepancy between 0.5 and 5.0…

S&B went in around the same time as the last oil change around 26k.

I also pushed this round over 6k. So, we’ll see what 5k does.

Sponsored