Bypass filter plumbing

[Oldsalt]

I have a 02 Duramax that I am in the process of installing a BP filter and I am wondering what would be the best way to plumb the supply and return lines.
The Duramax has plugged ports on both the supply and return sides of the OEM filter.
Can these be utilized instead of a sandwich adapter.
I will be using a Baldwin B50 filter and Baldwin OB1305 mount. The Baldwin B50 filter has a 1/16th orfice on the return side of the filter.
I see three different plumbing options:
1. Use the ports on the OEM filter housing to parallel the OEM & BP filter, The BP filter would see the DP of the OEM filter. Is this enough pressure for proper operation of the BP filter.
2. Use the supply port on the OEM filter housing to supply the BP filter and plumb the return to the pan.
3. Use the return port on the OEM filter housing to supply the BP filter and plumb the return to the pan.
Also does anyone know where I can get the drilled oil pan plug

 

[unDummy]

Thats not a real bypass. Cut one open after you've run it. But, your engine will benefit from added improved filtration, the larger oil capacity, and cooling.

I'd plumb it in parallel! The OEM filter should have enough resistance(maybe after a couple hundred miles) to push oil through that almost-a-bypass filter.

And, consider the B164 in place of the B50. Bigger is better! (insert ego jokes here)

If you want to plumb it to the pan or oil fill cap, then you can 'feed' it from either port.

.0625 orifice might be a little big to run the filter like a traditional bypass. If so, consider a restrictor in the .040-.050 range or a pressure switch. I'm under the impression that the media is standard pleats(but thicker). With too big of an orifice(not enough media restriction), you might lose too much oil flow/psi through that B50, if setup like a traditional bypass. But, its a duramax and probably has plenty of excess oil flow capacity anyways.

 

[Oldsalt]

I was of the understanding that the B50 was a bypass type filter good to 2-3 microns. if this is wrong please correct my information and make recommendations. Its not too late to change.

 

[handyman]

Oldsalt
This is an ongoing argument with several schools of thought.
Some argue that all bypass filters are overkill.
Others argue that unless you are filtering to 1/10 of a micron you are not doing a good job.
Others argue that the truth lies in between.

Please do what you want with your budget and bypass filters. Several people feel that the B50 filter is a fine bypass filter for the money.

You will not make everybody happy. You will not find a consensus. Please read the inexpensive bypass setup post(s) and see what I mean.

 

[unDummy]

Its the affordable, easy to service(screw on filter), easy to find media(other brands carry equivalents), almost a bypass filter.
I believe that its rated in absolute 7 microns. So, its much better then the best full flows(usually 10-20 microns nominal), but not as good as a dedicated bypass that might be 3 or less absolute(mucho dense media).

Email Baldwin for their specs(along with Donaldson/Fram/Wix for equivalents). I believe that there are some here that are using the above mounts with the baldwin filters.

What are your goals for the added filtration? eternal engine life? or eternal oil life?

If you're just looking to improve filtration but still practice reasonable safe/sane oil+filter change intervals, then by all means go for it. And, if you have the room, use the bigger filter(B164).

If you are looking to seriously extend OCIs, then research the other dedicated bypass filter brands. But, the elements can get expensive.

 

[Bill Plock]

Oldsalt,

The B50 (and B164) are rated 2u nominal (Beta=2 50% efficiency) and 12u absolute (Beta=75, 98.7%). I ran B50’s on my 98 GM 6.5 diesel and considered using them on my 03 Duramax when it was new. However I contacted Baldwin and they advised me against it due the high oil pressure range on the Duramax. I ended up using an Oilguard instead. The B50's are inexpensive but not much better than the full flow filters available for the Dmax. For example the Mobil 1 M1-303 is rated 5u nominal/18u absolute and the Baldwin B1441 is 8u nominal, and 23u absolute.

 

[md_lucky_13]

Quote:

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Oldsalt,

The B50 (and B164) are rated 2u nominal (Beta=2 50% efficiency) and 12u absolute (Beta=75, 98.7%).

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2um Nominal 7um Absolute.

 

[md_lucky_13]

I hate not being able to edit.. Again.

Anywho..

I think that handyman hit the nail right on the head. The truth DOES lay somewhere inbetween.

If you are filtering down to 7um, you could actually filter rood blood cells out of your blood stream and leave plasma, viruses, and a few select bacteria. As I said before, when you put it into that perspective, the arguement for sub-micronic filtering begins to fade.

Most literature says that if you can remove particles in the 4um and larger size, you are wasting time or money going any lower.

Is the B50 the end all of bypass filtration? Nope. But it is without a doubt the most affordable bypass system you can possibly build, it filters to particles smaller then red blood cells, and you can pick up the parts you need for it any nearly any auto-parts place in the country.

 

[md_lucky_13]

Rood blood cells are very different then polite blood cells, which are like red blood cells.

And the B50 has a 350PSI burst, which is higher then most full flow filters. What is the stock duramax rated at?

 

[Oldsalt]

My oil pressure runs at 70-80 psi highway speeds and 40-50 psi idle so I feel the filter will handle it.
I have been using rotella synthetic changed at manufacturers recommendations for warrenty purposes. The warrenty is about to expire and I would like to extend oil change to around 15000 miles with filter change in between.
I am still hoping someone can provide an answer to which way is best to plumb the system

 

[Gary Allan]

Hit the diesel forum. Many don't get here often. Title it something like "Duramax owners with bypass filtration" ..you should get some response. You can hit the diesel used oil analysis section ..someone with a Duramax probably has bypass filtration and has done a used oil analysis. You can then PM them.

If you do run into someone with the information you seek, you might consider reposting in this thread to allow others to share in what you found out.

 

[Bill Plock]

Quote:

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My oil pressure runs at 70-80 psi highway speeds and 40-50 psi idle so I feel the filter will handle it...

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Those are the normal operating temp values for an 01/02 LB7 Duramax ... Pressure was reduced on later models ..The concern with the Duramax is with cold temp oil pressure at start up which can easily exceed 100 psi. Baldwin had to recall their first version of the B1441 full flow filter for the Duramax due to failures at cold temps. They subsequently redesigned the filter for a higher burst pressure rating .. When I first considered using the B50 on my 03 LB7 Dmax I contacted Baldwin Tech support and asked for the specs on the B1441 (equivalent to PF2232) and whether they recommend using the B50 on the Duramax. Their answer was as follows:

“The B1441 is 8 micron nominal (Beta =2) and 23 micron absolute (Beta = 75). “The burst pressure of the B50 is not as high as the B1441, therefore I do not recommend the use of the B50 on this application due to the increased operating pressure. “

Also regarding beta specs of the B50, several years earlier when researching bypass filter options for my 98 GM 6.5 Diesel Baldwin sent me a data sheet on the B50 which stated the 2u nominal (beta=2) & 12u absolute (beta=75) specs .. If the absolute spec has since been improved to the 7u spec (beta efficiency #?) quoted by md_lucky_13, that's decent performance for a low cost spin on filter …

Also here’s a TSB regarding 01-02 LB7 Dmax oil pressure …

“Bulletin No.: 00-06-01-025A, September, 2001
Subject: Correct Oil Viscosity and Oil Filter Usage for the Duramax 6600 Diesel Engine (RPO LB7)
Models: 2001-2002 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 Models with 6.6L Engine (VIN 1 - RPO LB7)
Important :The Duramax 6600 diesel engine can produce oil pressures over 690 kPa (100 psi) during a cold start condition and the oil pressure gauge may remain near 552 kPa (80 psi) while driving. Because of these oil pressures, it is important that the correct oil filter is used and torqued properly and the proper oil viscosity is used for the ambient temperatures. Oil Filter: The correct oil filter for use on the Duramax 6600 engine is the AC PF2232 or the production oil filter, GM P/N 97214983. This filter was designed specifically for use on the Duramax 6600 engine and incorporates improved filtering capabilities as well as an integral oil pressure relief valve…. The oil filter should be torqued to 24 N.m (18 lb ft) to prevent leaks under high pressure conditions… SAE 5W-40 viscosity oil designated as API CH-4 or CG-4 should be used if the ambient temperature falls below -18°C (0°F) to prevent excessive oil pressure on a cold start.”

 

[RalphPWood]

Submicronic abrasives are not harmless. Smaller abrasives will keep building up in the oil and agglomerating into globs that will clog the oil passages and filter until the oil is drained. I am setting up some large filters for cleaning cooling tower water. I could use a Motor Guard filter with the Motor Guard element. It would do a good job for about half a day. I have to install a large filter about 20 times bigger to do the job. I installed a beer filter to filter sulfuric acid. It is about the size if my Subaru. I have gotten into some challenges with industrial filtration. I use the pressure drop thru the full flow filter for large air compressors. I don't recommend it for automotive use because filters that clean oil are restrictive and full flow filters are not. I rum a 3 PSI drop thru the full flow filter which is enough for the compressors with thin oil and inside a heated building. How it would work in cold weather I don't know. It would work with the junk filters. To me any filter that doesn't work is a junk filter. An over priced element that doesn't clean oil is really bad. With a true bypass system the oil from the bypass filter bypasses the engine parts and goes to the sump like a 53 Chevy. Using the pressure drop thru the full flow filter only bypasses the full flow filter. It is just a part of the full flow system. With the two port sandwich adapter such as the Perma-Cool all oil has to go thru the full flow filter to get to the engine. The bypass filter bypasses nothing.

Ralph

 

[Nebraskan]

Perhaps a nice graph to illustrate small micron particulates, less than 15µ and their relationship with engine life.

You will note on the graph that 10 microns extends engine life approximately 5X to 6X times and at 5 microns it's all the way up to 8X life. Complete page is here: http://www.oilguard.com/HomepageExtendingEngineLife.htm which they say at 1 micron extends the engine life by a factor of 8 times, which, according to this graph would be true. But, so would 2 µ as well as all the way up to around 7µ or so. You have to determine for yourself how to interpret the graph from 0µ to 10µ. But definitely at 7µ you can see that the engine life extension is in the 6 to 7 times category.
Data source: General Motors AC Delco Division, SAE Technical Papers.

Oldsalt, you mentioned you were looking for a drilled oil pan plug? Might check out the website I linked to in this post as they have a nice little oil return drain plug affair. You just replace your existing drain plug with this one and nothing really to drill.