S&B Dry Air Filter Review

[CarbonSteel]

@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.

I will be interested in seeing the silicon levels in your next OCI. I capped my dilution at 2.5% and so a 5K oil change interval (OCI) keeps it around that level, though I saw a spike last time likely due to it happening from December to March in cold CO temperatures combined with short trips and warm up idling. I have another that I should have already sent it (been sitting on my desk).

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[Xterra2Bronco]

any updates on the s&b filters? I am looking at getting the dry expendable one to replace the stock one for my first oil change that is coming up. I'm at 3200 miles.

 

[telenerd]

I just got my S&B filter in. Curious on the results this summer.

 

[JL8jeff]

I have one for sale in the classifieds if anyone is looking for one.

(53) New Jersey - S&B dry filter for 2.3 and 2.7 Bronco 66-5016D $60 | Bronco6G - 2021+ Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor Forum, News, Blog & Owners Community

 

[tourproto]

any updates on the s&b filters? I am looking at getting the dry expendable one to replace the stock one for my first oil change that is coming up. I'm at 3200 miles.

I just replaced mine at 27K miles with the same Motorcraft one. The filter was definitely dirty, but nothing really bad. No tears or rips in the original one. So was happy to replace it with the same. My local dealer had them on sale for $35.

I figured why pay 2x more if not necessary.... But I am also not doing extreme stuff or going into rivers (small streams maybe...). Just my 0.02

 

[Ogre]

I just replaced mine at 27K miles with the same Motorcraft one. The filter was definitely dirty, but nothing really bad. No tears or rips in the original one. So was happy to replace it with the same. My local dealer had them on sale for $35.

I figured why pay 2x more if not necessary.... But I am also not doing extreme stuff or going into rivers (small streams maybe...). Just my 0.02

If you held the S&B in your hands you would understand the why. I'm only a diesel mechanic, but I've never felt an air filter so insubstantial. Normal operations it's probably fine but anything with extra air moving, especially near the end of it's lifespan, is going to provide a lot of suction on a turbo motor. I'm keeping this vehicle as long as I can so it's worth the extra insurance

 

[tourproto]

If you held the S&B in your hands you would understand the why. I'm only a diesel mechanic, but I've never felt an air filter so insubstantial. Normal operations it's probably fine but anything with extra air moving, especially near the end of it's lifespan, is going to provide a lot of suction on a turbo motor. I'm keeping this vehicle as long as I can so it's worth the extra insurance

The lifespan of my 2 prior vehicles (the Bronco is my 3rd car and I am a senior citizen) is 300K miles (1986 Acura Integra, RIP due to hit from state maintenance vehicle) and 175K miles (2004 BMW 330i, still have it and running great). Both cars were very well maintained, but just with factory recommended stuff, including filters. Never spent a dime on "extra fancy" stuff, and never had a failure of a major engine component.

But I am not road racing or doing major offroad stuff or fjording in waist deep water. I drive "enthusiastically" but nothing that IMO should require anything beyond factory recommended parts, including the filters. But for peace of mind, go for it. It's only a $30-40 diff in price every 2 years. I just don't think it is necessary or worth it.

 

[fourdayoff]

K&N filters are ok for the street and I have noticed on my other street vehicles a slight increase in mileage and HP. This is due to less restriction with a same size, stock filter witch equals les filtering. This is why any off road desert racer worth his salt will NOT use a K&N, They just let in too much dust. I have bought a Donaldson dry replacement for my next change. They are probably the leader in filtering if you do your research. At 10k my stock filter is still very clean and I can't justify changing it yet. Just my 2 cents. I've been into off road racing for many many years. If you hold your old filter up to the sun and can still see light from the inside out it's still got some life left.

 

[Ogre]

The lifespan of my 2 prior vehicles (the Bronco is my 3rd car and I am a senior citizen) is 300K miles (1986 Acura Integra, RIP due to hit from state maintenance vehicle) and 175K miles (2004 BMW 330i, still have it and running great). Both cars were very well maintained, but just with factory recommended stuff, including filters. Never spent a dime on "extra fancy" stuff, and never had a failure of a major engine component.

But I am not road racing or doing major offroad stuff or fjording in waist deep water. I drive "enthusiastically" but nothing that IMO should require anything beyond factory recommended parts, including the filters. But for peace of mind, go for it. It's only a $30-40 diff in price every 2 years. I just don't think it is necessary or worth it.

I think you're confusing the quality of those vehicles OEM filters with the quality of the Broncos. I'm not saying you need anything fancy, I don't think this filter is fancy at all. But have you compared the quality of the filters you're mentioning?

You Sir are an example of what America is forgetting. I salute you. Too many people would rather waste money on the next new thing instead of taking care of what they have.

I'll never own another German car. But that's a separate story.

 

[tourproto]

I think you're confusing the quality of those vehicles OEM filters with the quality of the Broncos. I'm not saying you need anything fancy, I don't think this filter is fancy at all. But have you compared the quality of the filters you're mentioning?

All I can say is that after 25K miles and replacing my OE Ford engine air filter, that it did its job, blocked a lot of crud from entering my engine, and was structurally intact. I don't see why (for how I drive) that I would need to spend any more $$$ for a non-Ford air filter, when the Ford one did its job?

And the same for Honda and BMW filters. Used OE filters every single time. Never had a problem.

I guess S&B could be a "better" filter, but why bother when the Ford one does its job?

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