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I've been told by a friend of mine he had a 25 hp loss using a BHAF . Based on research I find that hard to believe. I'm about to put one on my truck this next week and like to know if I should proceed or not.

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  • Staff

I've seen a dyno test done on a street racer, a Honda I think. A stock filter v a bhaf in a "cold air box" v a bhaf in a cold air box with a 4" hose routed under the bumper for fresh air. only a small gain in HP was seen with the 4" hose.

  • Author

If I lost 25hp, I could not feel it. What filter did he have before?

Not sure, guessing stock.

I can't see any gains or losses taking place over the stock air box unless you exceed the stock boxes capabilities and then it becomes more of a restriction. I would either do a bhaf or stick with the stock box, the CAI just aren't worth the money unless your strictly going for performance and big power. The typical daily driver really isn't going to benefit from one. Without looking at my records, I'm guessing I've got over 30k on my bhaf and my filter minder has not even moved yet. Lots and lots of life left out of it.

  • Owner

Heck even between run you can have a variance of 5-10 HP without changes. If your using a filter minder and there is no vacuum (inches of water column) then there should be no losses. But if the filter is dirty and partially plugged up yes there could be some changes. So now my question is to the dyno runner....Q: How much vacuum was on the filter measured in water column?

  • Author

Heck even between run you can have a variance of 5-10 HP without changes. If your using a filter minder and there is no vacuum (inches of water column) then there should be no losses. But if the filter is dirty and partially plugged up yes there could be some changes. So now my question is to the dyno runner.... Q: How much vacuum was on the filter measured in water column?

Can't answer that, but bases on replies here there should be no negatives to running the Napa 2790 with outer wares on my truck. No real gain over stock but no loss either , just longer filter life . Sound correct ?
  • Owner

As long as there no vacuum sensed inside the filter then you good to go. My first BHAF lasted 7 years and 135K miles before I gave up. The filter minder never moved. Yes I've tested it several times and it always worked. But what got me to change the filter is when the media inside the filter starts to darken in color it was a shade of off-white. Why risk it when the filter served its life well and very long!

I'd like to see some accurate vacuum testing. The filter minder is about as crude as it gets, I'd like to see 0.1 vacuum precision and I could probably calculate everything based on that. I mean the dyno is testing it at max boost so although it's probably insignificant during cruising, it could make a difference during WOT. I'm not sure though, but would love to find out.

  • Author

Ok, I'm not that technical, so should I BHAF or no. My truck is stock HX35, #10 plate full forward, boost elbow @ 32psi, 4" turbo back exhaust, ATS stage 2 trans, 4.10's. 97 4x4 longbed.

  • Owner

For longevity of the truck Yes I would use a BHAF.

As for washable media filter I highly suggest against them. More people do damage to there trucks from dirt and dust being inhaled by the engine from a damage filter.

This is bad news and very common with washable media filter...

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BHAF... No dirt will enter the turbo or engine which is a good thing... Better for longevity....

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  • Staff

My stock air box started to leak some dust onto the turbo blades. It was a small amount. I found it one day when I had the intake tube off to make room for changing the oil filter.My filters are always clean so it had to be the air box not holding a good seal against the filter any longer. Over time I know plastic can distort and start to shrink. Especially in the sun, I've seen it time and time again on boat parts, car parts and vinyl siding. My truck is painted black so it gets very hot in the summer. Not only that but the metal clips that hold the air box together weren't holding tightly any longer thus loosing a good seal against dust intrusion.For this reason I would put on the BHAF.I did end up remodeling my stock air box with a block plane (shaved it off some) to squeeze tighter against the filter instead of squeezing the plastic to plastic housing. I have several stock filters from a while back still to go.

  • Author

Ok, picking up the 2790 tomorrow , since this filter has no wire on the inside to hold the media, has anyone had any problems with the media coming apart and entering the engine ?

Ok, picking up the 2790 tomorrow , since this filter has no wire on the inside to hold the media, has anyone had any problems with the media coming apart and entering the engine ?

I didn't. However, when I ran one I could never figure out how to properly secure it to the turbo inlet hose. So, I gave up and sold the truck :lmao2: Seriously though, I do want to figure out a secure way to mount a BHAF. I have an ARE air filter mount that I am thinking of modifying to fit, but I haven't had the time yet. I am thinking of a steel tube internal to the bhaf outlet that runs into the turbo inlet tube, then clamping the crap out of the bhaf to that tube in its inlet.
  • Owner

Simple. Insert the neck of the of the BHAF into the intake tube and tighten clamp just snug. Don't crank it super tight it will deform the plastic and keep popping off. If you want to beef up the neck just insert a piece of 4" exhaust pipe inside the BHAF neck and tighten the same way.

Another thing you can do is use a piece of wood (1"x6") about 7" long and mount it under the BHAF to keep the filter off the A/C line and bolts holding the air filter box in place. Pull the stock box and set the board on top of the bolts sticking up. Take a hammer and gently tap on it to put impressions of the three bolts in it. Take the board out and drill a hole where the bolt impressions are using a slightly smaller drill bit. Then using the hammer again, line up the drilled holes with the bolts and tap it into place. It will stay and then just let the filter just sit on the board. That is all there is to it! My last BHAF lasted well over 100,000 miles and so should yours!

I cut a chunk of 4" pvc pipe about 4" long, it fits snugly in the inlet of the air filter and gives the clamp something tight to bite down onto.

I just insert the filter into the intake tube and clamp it. I also built a cradle for it using a piece 1" wide aluminum I had laying around. I holds the filter up off of everything. It is bolted to the original bolts that held the stock air box.

  • Author

I just installed the BHAF . I noticed wear on the blades of the turbo and I could move the shaft it sits on around, so what's your thoughts, solutions for the turbo issues ?

My truck came with an S&B CAI oiled filter and I think the oil is getting sucked out of it...every engine oil change I wipe my turbo clean and next change it's dirty again (only 3,750 mile intervals). I'm either going BHAF or replacement dry filter. I'll post again in a week If I switch set ups

  • Owner

I just installed the BHAF . I noticed wear on the blades of the turbo and I could move the shaft it sits on around, so what's your thoughts, solutions for the turbo issues ?

Time for a rebuild if the compressor wheel is moving on the shaft. Here is the method of inspect your turbo. http://articles.mopar1973man.com/2nd-generation-24v-dodge-cummins/24-air-system/122-turbo-inspection

My truck came with an S&B CAI oiled filter and I think the oil is getting sucked out of it...every engine oil change I wipe my turbo clean and next change it's dirty again (only 3,750 mile intervals). I'm either going BHAF or replacement dry filter. I'll post again in a week If I switch set ups

Not good. You do know there is no such thing as a CAI (Cold Air Intake)? (Left gauge is after intercooler right gauge is before the intercooler from the turbo).

https-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf7ladNL7V8

So that means the biggest thing you got to worry about is filtration. Being that all washable filters tend to break down each time you wash them means that in a short period of time you'll be pushing dirt through.

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Welcome To Mopar1973Man.Com LLC

We are privately owned, with access to a professional Diesel Mechanic, who can provide additional support for Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel vehicles. Many detailed information is FREE and available to read. However, in order to interact directly with our Diesel Mechanic, Michael, by phone, via zoom, or as the web-based option, Subscription Plans are offered that will enable these and other features.  Go to the Subscription Page and Select a desired plan. At any time you wish to cancel the Subscription, click Subscription Page, select the 'Cancel' button, and it will be canceled. For your convenience, all subscriptions are on auto-renewal.