Air Filter Performance Specs?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SuperBusa

Joined
Mar 2, 2009
Messages
2,371
Location
WA
Is there a source anywhere showing various air filter performance specs? I know for oil filters there is all kinds of tech info on filtering performance, but I never see any from the manufactures for air filters.

Was wondering if the WIX / NAPA Gold filters are better performers than the FRAM. They both have a very similar construction, so it comes down to filter media.

Of course fit is a very important factor also ... if the aftermarket filter doesn't fit and seal 100% in the air box, then that's a bad situation.

Need to buy an air filter tomorrow and would like to get a decent one. NAPA Golds are on sale for 40% off, so that's a good deal if they are good performing filters.

I don't want a cleanable air filter like a K&N ... just want a drop-in that is disposable.

What seems to be the most popular paper aftermarket filter on BITOG?
 
Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Only specs Ive seen are on the Motorcraft filters in that one thread, other wise the most Ive seen is CFM, but never at any specific restriction.


Probably no Beta Ratio spec either (?). It would be interesting to know how efficient in terms of removing particles an air filter really is.

Obviously, a fine balance between filtering efficiency and flow restriction - probably more so on an air filter vs. and oil filter.

Is that NAPA Gold decent? ... probably just as good as most I would think ... plus it's made in the USA. I see (at least some) Purolator air filters are made in China.
54.gif
 
The Fram Tough Gaurd air filters look like a very stout and good looking air filter. They are pre-oiled. I just put one in my wifes Lincoln. They are a little more costly than the Regular Frams, about $6-10.00. I like them and Iam no fan of Fram. Alot nicer than alot of filters, I looked at.
 
Originally Posted By: SuperBusa
Is there a source anywhere showing various air filter performance specs? I know for oil filters there is all kinds of tech info on filtering performance, but I never see any from the manufactures for air filters.


I'd be interested in a test/ site like this also!

Comparing airflow (cfm) vs micron rating vs dirtholding capacity.

More air = more power and better mpg. But we dont want to risk engine damage either.

My Cherokee 4.0 had a Napa Gold filter when i bought it.
Wasnt bad condition, but kinda dirty.
So i replaced it with a Baldwin. I noticed the throttle response wasnt as "crisp" with the Baldwin.
Not sure if that's just in my head though....... :-p
 
Last edited:
It's frustrating that air filters aren't subjected to the same type of scrutiny as oil filters, since they are more critical to reducing engine wear. Manufacturers should print beta rates on the boxes, like oil filters, but I haven't seen it.

There are two approaches to getting filtration specs:

1. Contacting manufacturers for beta rates
2. Physical tests of air filters like river_rat did with oil filters (no, I'm not volunteering)

Notice I left out holding the filters up to the light or a microscopic examination, since the results aren't conclusive.

When it comes to judging flow, it's over my head. All I can say is that weak, flimsy media is not only bad at filtering, but it can tear and create a hole that passes unfiltered air. I would rather have excellent filtration than high flow, but ideally I would like to have both.

Yes, the only variables in filter design should be the media, frame, seals, and fit. The filter has both an interior seal (media to frame) and exterior seal (frame to air filter housing). The size and shape of the filter must match its place in the air filter housing, being neither too small or too big at any point. The air filter housing is critical, too. The seal is broken if it doesn't clamp the filter down with the proper pressure around every inch of the perimeter.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: SuperBusa
Is there a source anywhere showing various air filter performance specs? I know for oil filters there is all kinds of tech info on filtering performance, but I never see any from the manufactures for air filters.

Was wondering if the WIX / NAPA Gold filters are better performers than the FRAM. They both have a very similar construction, so it comes down to filter media.

Of course fit is a very important factor also ... if the aftermarket filter doesn't fit and seal 100% in the air box, then that's a bad situation.

Need to buy an air filter tomorrow and would like to get a decent one. NAPA Golds are on sale for 40% off, so that's a good deal if they are good performing filters.

I don't want a cleanable air filter like a K&N ... just want a drop-in that is disposable.

What seems to be the most popular paper aftermarket filter on BITOG?


You are not just going to use a PureOne air filter?
shocked2.gif
 
There are tests, but you can't compare an air filter performance to an oil filter. The oil filter gets many chances to filter down the oil into clean. An air filter has one chance to catch the particle.

They are tested by putting in a given amount of specific sizes of particles according to an test (forget the number). Then they weigh the amount of dust it caught and divide. The tests don't quantify how much of that dust was from which spec dust size. That would probably be hard/costly to go back and evaluate, and you wouldn't get the same numbers if you tested each particle size separately, as the big ones help fill the voids and keep back the small ones.

OEM's spec a min of 96%. Oil bath filters are about 85%. K&N claims 96% to 99%. Most paper filters are 99% or so. Donaldson publishes several numbers. Their standard filter is 99.90%, the Ultra-Web (blue nano-fiber covering over the paper) is 99.99%.

This is what that boils down to in the engine
cantidad_de_polvo.jpg


Sorry about the Spanish, but I don't remember where the English one is.

This is how the nano-fiber covers the paper and keeps the particles out.
stacks_image_4930_1.jpg
 
Good pics,now let's put the numbers into perspective. The vial on the left shows what gets through when the filter has stopped 2.2 POUNDS of dirt. Chances are much more likely that the typical automotive air filter will be changed when it is loaded with 2 or 3 OUNCES, meaning the dirt passing through to the engine is more likely represented by the vial on the right. That amount of dirt going through my engine every year doesn't cause me any lost sleep. I think the 40% off NG will do a perfectly fine job as long as it has a proper fit in the air box. Maybe that's a good experiment for us. Weigh our new filters and see how much dirt is in them at change time.
 
Last edited:
There is an industry standard test ISO 5011.

Fram is 99% efficient per there ads for Fram paper filter.
http://www.fram.com/air-filters/extra-guard.php

This site gives filtration test for a ISO 5011 test on serveral different filers:

http://forums.nicoclub.com/debunking-the-k-n-myth-why-oem-is-better-t180100.html

AC Delco paper was the most efficient in this test, at 99.93%

Test results --In 60 minutes the AC Filter accumulated 574gms of dirt and passed only 0.4gms. After only 24 minutes the K&N had accumulated 221gms of dirt but passed 7.0gms.

Compared to the AC, the K&N “plugged up” nearly 3 times faster, passed 18 times more dirt and captured 37% less dirt.
 
Just noticed the second pic was wrong. here is the intended one with the synthetic fiber over the cellulose. The gray strands are the normal fibers (amplified) and the blue is the nono-fiber covering that helps this type of filter get its 99.99% and longer life.
stacks_image_4939_1.jpg


What you want to remember with those amounts of dust is their relativity, and the fact that a filter gets more efficient as it fills up, so the 99% may go to 99.3 or whatever til it starts too much restriction.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

ZeeOSix
  • Locked
2005 Toyota Tacoma - Good Aftermarket Air Fitler?
Replies
7
Views
4K
Jim Allen
S
  • Locked
Is NAPA Gold Same as WIX in Air Filters?
Replies
15
Views
32K
Jake_Wade
C
  • Locked
Honda vs WIX air filters?
Replies
14
Views
21K
torkeyvr6
3
  • Locked
When to replace Paper air filter. (Mileage)
Replies
18
Views
9K
MarkC
C
  • Locked
Difference in Cabin Air Filters ?
Replies
4
Views
3K
Garak
Back
Top Bottom