Restriction gauges reading high on new filte

[Fabulous50s]

I install air filter restriction gauges on pretty much everything with an engine I own. I feel they are the best way to tell when a filter needs to be replaced. Also saves from opening a sometimes complex air box and getting dirt in or not fully seating something or clamping an intake hose etc.

That said I installed this and a new filter on my 2020 promaster with 3.6 pentastar, and it consistently reads 10" of vacuum after a good hill. This is a large vehicle with this small v6, but the air box is a good design and what I'd consider a large barrel type filter for this displacement engine. Filter is a Napa Gold.

I've checked the intake tract leading to the filter etc. All open and of decent size.

Some pictures for reference of the gauge and where I plumbed it in.

 

[JohnnyG]

Those are nice. Where do you get them?

 

[wpod]

My wife used to to have a 2002 Ford pick up with the 7.3 Power Stroke and it did the same thing.

 

[Big E]

I installed a filter minder on our '20 Grand Cherokee with the 3.6. With a brand new Fram Ultra filter. it pulled down to 11" after a full throttle run.

I do reset it occasionally and it still winds up at 11". I plan to change the filter out when it goes above that.

 

[Fabulous50s]

@JohnnyG I bought a bunch on ebay, I also scavenge them off GM/Ford HD vehicles that are being scrapped.

Here is one from a GM pickup I put on my wife's Toyota a few years ago.

 

[21_6.7f450]

I wonder if it's just a more restrictive factory air box and filter setup on some vehicles. If that's the case, just carry on. No harm my 6.7 will pull the minder down on a new filter when I flat foot the throttle.

 

[OLEJOE]

Even new filters will show some restriction but it’s amazing how long it takes for it to get to the point of needing to be changed. All class 8 trucks have them. It’s not a big deal to replace a $30-40 filter early but on those trucks they run in the hundreds of dollars so you want to get all you can out of them. You’ll be shocked at how long it will remain on the initial reading.

 

[NashNative]

These are better than the old school gauges: