Tag Archives: Improved Fuel Economy

How Often Should I Clean and Service My S&B Filter?

S&B LogoThe capacity of an air filter is directly related to how often you must service your filter. Capacity is defined as the total amount of contaminants/dirt particles that the filter will hold before reaching its termination point. The termination point is a predefined restriction number that is used as the cut-off point when measuring how much dirt a filter will hold. For typical passenger cars and light-duty trucks, 10” H2O is used at the termination point.

In OE applications, a new filter must be purchased every time the filter reaches maximum capacity. Not only is this costly, but it also creates unnecessary environmental waste. When an S&B intake kit or performance air filter is installed, you simply clean and re-oil the air filter per S&B’s specifications. Keep in mind that the conditions that the vehicle is operated under will determine how quickly it will take a specific filter to reach its capacity. With this being said, you can compare the ISO 5011 test results to find the difference in capacities for the OE air filter and the S&B air filter on the Orange County Diesel website just look up the part and click on the “extended information” tab.

The spreadsheet below is the Service Factor for each filter, this compares how the frequency of Servicing the Filter is affected. For example, if the S&B filter capacity is half that of the OE filter, the Service Factor is twice that of the OE filter. Simply put, you will have to clean the S&B filter in half the time you would normally take for an OE filter to load.


It is extremely important to clean and oil your filter correctly. Instructions, oil amounts and other pertinent information regarding S&B filters can be seen on the Orange County Diesel website in the description of each filter or intake and can also be found in the manual for the product under the “extended information” tab.

Give us a call at 714-848-2170 M-F from 8-5 PST – We will answer your questions regarding  S&B filters. Ask about Free Shipping!

Live locally? Feel free to stop by our location and meet us! OC DIESEL, INC. is located at 17242 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Suites A and B. In addition to carrying S&B filters, we have a full service shop staffed with knowledgeable technicians who are ready to squash any Diesel Repair issues.

The Diesel Performance Experts

S&B Performance Intake Kit? How much horsepower will I see? Will it increase fuel economy?

S&B LogoHorsepower can be increased by increasing airflow to the vehicle’s engine. Typically, the OE stock air box and induction tube significantly restrict the airflow. S&B design’s its intake kits to increase the amount of horsepower by 5-10% by allowing the engine to breathe easier.

S&B does not publish horsepower results specific to each part because the majority of our competition makes outrageous horsepower claims that are unsupported and often are accompanied by the disclaimer “Up To, As Much As, or Results May Vary.” There is no standard for dyno testing, it is difficult to hold our competition accountable for their inflated claims. S&B utilizes its 1/2 million dollar, climate controlled lab to test its intake kits and filters to the same standard (ISO 5011 Test Standard) used by the OE manufacturers, so there is substance behind S&B’s test results.

S&B publishes 2 critical results: airflow & efficiency

1. Airflow Rating: This rating shows how much the filter/intake improves the airflow vs. stock. Improving the airflow results in more power and better fuel economy.

2. Efficiency Rating: Protecting your engine while dramatically improving the airflow is S&B’s competitive advantage which is why we post the efficiency numbers along with the airflow rating. The efficiency rating shows how much dirt our filters will stop. Our minimum goal for efficiency is 99.0%.

Question:
Will an S&B cold air intake kit provide me with an improvement in fuel economy?

Answer:
The simple answer is yes. By lowering the restriction level vs. stock, the S&B intake allows the engine to work more efficiently which will improve fuel economy.

According to the Department of Energy, a dirty air filter will have an adverse affect on fuel economy. Fueleconomy.gov states that replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.  The reason a clean filter improves fuel economy is because it is less restrictive than a dirty filter, so the engine works less to consume the air it needs. This S&B intake kit is substantially less restrictive than the OE induction system with a clean filter installed thus allowing the engine to breather even easier which results in better fuel economy. S&B does not make a specific claim with regards to fuel economy because there are too many factors that can affect your miles per gallon.

Give us a call at 714-848-2170 M-F from 8-5 PST – We will answer your questions regarding the S&B cold air intake kit. Ask about Free Shipping!

Live locally? Feel free to stop by our location and meet us! OC DIESEL, INC. is located at 17242 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Suites A and B. In addition to carrying S&B cold air intake kit, we have a full service shop staffed with knowledgeable technicians who are ready to squash any Diesel Repair issues.

The Diesel Performance Experts

;

2003.5-2007 Ford Powerstroke 6.0L

Ford Powerstrokes with a 6.0L engine have one of the worst reputations in the diesel world. Ford has been frequently asked, “Why didn’t you just keep the 7.3L engine?” But really the question is unfair given the circumstances at the time of creation of the 6.0L engine.

After January 1st, 2003, the federal government set tougher diesel emission standards. All the top diesel application manufactures had to restructure and invest a substantial amount of money to abide these new standards. Ford was one to do the same. Some say Ford should of added an exhaust gas recirculation system, a variable geometry turbo, and a high pressure injection system to the 7.3L engine. But others say nay, a clean burning 7.3L engine would have a horsepower disadvantage compared to the GM Duramax and the Dodge Cummins applications at the time. Also with Dodge Cummins Bosch’s latest Common Rail Injection, Ford 7.3L engines were much too loud.

So the 6.0L was created with four goals in mind:

  • Meet Emission Standards
  • Have More Horsepower than the competition
  • Have Better Fuel Economy
  • Make a quieter engine

When 2003.5 came to be, the Ford Powerstrokes 6.0L were out on the market. In stock form this was a consumer dream. The 6.0L engine met all emission standards and passed all testing performed during research and development. Obviously stock vehicles have been factory tested, so they are thought to be more reliable, which is mostly true for 6.0L engines. 6.0L engines rarely experience failures when operating at stock power levels. But let’s be honest, why own a Diesel if you can’t MAX IT OUT! This seems to be the area where 6.0L engines are having trouble, because now with aftermarket modifications your now turning more rpm, fueling heavier, and creating more heat and higher cylinder pressures. But Orange County Diesel feels that aftermarket modifications aren’t bad for 6.0L engines, they just have to be the RIGHT aftermarket product!

Here is a list of common problems of the Ford Powerstroke 6.0L 2003.5-2007

  • Turbo Failure
  • Variable Geometry Turbo Vanes Sticking
  • Leaking Oil Under Turbo
  • Rough Idle Related to the Fuel Injection Control Module
  • Fuel Injection Control Module Calibration(s)
  • Fuel Injection Control Module Harness Wear
  • Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Sticking
  • Exhaust Gas Recirculation
  • Blown Head Gasket Cooler
  • Oil Cooler
  • Oil Rail Plug(s) Leaking Oil
  • Sticking Spool Valve Inside Injector
  • Cracked Intercooler Boot
  • Coolant Leak
  • High Pressure Oil Pump Leaking Oil

Give us a call at 714-848-2170 M-F from 8-5 PST – We will answer your questions regarding the Ford Powerstrokes engine. Ask about Free Shipping!

Live locally? Feel free to stop by our location and meet us! OC DIESEL, INC. is located at 17242 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Suites A and B.  We have a full service shop staffed with knowledgeable technicians who are ready to squash any Diesel Repair issues.

The Diesel Performance Experts