S&S oil filters

[BubbleHead]

I was using a Harley Evo type oil filter but S&S told me that the Harley filter was a 10 micron type and that wouldn't allow enough oil flow to my engine properly. They said I should be using there filter because it's a 30 micron filter. Less restriction to the oil flow. Any opinions as to whether I have done any harm to my engine by using the evo filter untill now? I have just turned 8000 miles. I always change the oil and filter every 2500 miles without fail.

 

[Black Dawg]

A filter's low micron rating doesn't necessarily mean poor flow. I've actually been using the HD superpremium thats rated to 5 microns (same part # for the twin cam and evo). If it's good enough for HD, it's good enough for our bikes. If there was a problem we'd both know it by now.

 

[Black Dawg]

according to s&s that filter is robbing you of power.


S&S Cycle - Technical Tips FAQ - Oil filters - Should I run a 10 micron or a 30 micron oil filter?

Interesting. I'll investigate further.

 

[BubbleHead]

yea Sul, that's one of the things I read from them to make me start using there filters. I figure if they built it, I can't go wrong using what they suggest

 

[tacoloco]

A filter's low micron rating doesn't necessarily mean poor flow. I've actually been using the HD superpremium thats rated to 5 microns (same part # for the twin cam and evo). If it's good enough for HD, it's good enough for our bikes. If there was a problem we'd both know it by now.

I agree with this statement, I have run different types of filters on both my
k9 and my ridgeback and I did not notice any diference in power change.
As long as you keep up with your maintance schedule you can run any filter and be on the safe side.

 

[05chop]

A filter's low micron rating doesn't necessarily mean poor flow. I've actually been using the HD superpremium thats rated to 5 microns (same part # for the twin cam and evo). If it's good enough for HD, it's good enough for our bikes. If there was a problem we'd both know it by now.

BLACK DOG YOUR LOw MICRO RATING JUST TOOK A SHIT. WHY becuz if it wont go thur 5micro it will go around it then what? 05chop

 

[BubbleHead]

Thanks Tocoloco, I feel better knowing I didn't do any real damage running the Harley filters. Someone told me that some of my top end valve noise might have been from the restricted oil flow of the 10 micron filter but when I changed to the S&S the normal valve train noise was still there. Big Dog dealer told me everything is normal so I stopped worrying and just turn it over and cruise.
BBD

 

[Black Dawg]

BLACK DOG YOUR LOw MICRO RATING JUST TOOK A SHIT. WHY becuz if it wont go thur 5micro it will go around it then what? 05chop

Proof? If you have some proof that the HD superpremiums will not flow enough oil or just have a poor flow rate I'd like to hear about it. Otherwise your statement means almost nothing.

 

[Black Dawg]

I haven't found any technical data on the HD SP filters yet. But here's what Harley says about them:

Untilizing advances in synthetic fiber media technology, the SuperPremium5 Oil Filters are TEST CERTIFIED to provide nominal 5 micron filtration to retain dust, soot, and other solid matter with low internal pressure loss. The filters also feature integral pressure relief and anti-drain back valves. Fits '99-later Twin Cam and Evolution 1340-equipped models and as an upgrade for any motorcycle that requires Oil Filter P/N ####...

 

[slowrower]

I use the cool looking Chrome Billet washable filter what was under the Group Buy section. Better for the environment to! :lol:

 

[Black Dawg]

Here's a quote from an ExxonMobil oil engineer in reference to low micron, synthetic filters and testing he's done. This is from the forums at Bob Is The Oil Guy.

"Welcome to the world of microglass/synthetic filtration medium. I upgrade industrial applications every day from cellulose to microglass: go from a 30 micron paper element filter to a 6 micron microglass. Vastly improved filtration, in the 90% reduction level, as in the EaO, AND the filter generally lasts 2 to 4 times longer than the cellulose filter it was replacing. How? Generally up to 40% of a cellulose filter element passes nothing, absolutely blocked.. Whereas the microglass or nanofiber (whatever) is 100% flowable filter. So, yes, filtering much finer, flowing much easier and lasting considerably longer, even though it is capturing 90% more particulates... Indeed, it is true......

...after having read several papers on the EaO medium in engineering publications, I had to do "real world" testing to confirm for myself the medium's efficiencies. Me, Mr. ExxonMobil, validating the performance of an Amsoil product!

George Morrison, STLE CLS "

The particular filter he tested was the Amsoil Eao, which in all likelyhood is very similar to the HD Superpremium5.

 

[Chopper Dave]

I use the cool looking Chrome Billet washable filter what was under the Group Buy section. Better for the environment to! :lol:

Same as slow.....
I am going to go with the K&P filter......Ray is the expert on that.....and his miles on his bike speaks for itself! good job Ray!:2thumbs:

 

[Raywood]

Same as slow.....
I am going to go with the K&P filter......Ray is the expert on that.....and his miles on his bike speaks for itself! good job Ray!:2thumbs:

Thanks Dave, I've used the K&P now for over two years. LDO and I got them at the V-Twin Expo in Las Vegas from a seller there.

One thing I can remember is that even after the first couple cleanings I was still removing filter debrie from the motor. I used K&N filters prior.

Also, been awhile since I did any research on filters but remember that the "Industry Standard" was that a filter only had to meet 50% of it's rating. So if it was rated at 30 microns it only had to pick up at least 50% of microns larger than 30 microns.

I have no issues the the K&P and I've put a lot of miles on my motor without any harm to my knowledge. Still running strong. And I have used syn oil since the 500 miles service and have over 43,000 now.

Later,
Ray

 

[Deathmachine4718]

I had a friend that was riding his BD pretty hard on the eway a few years back and out of no where, the oil pressure idiot light came on so he immediately pulled over and checked the oil bag and could not see any oil inside. After it sat for a while, the oil bag eventually refilled. The dealership had inadvertantly put the smaller micron filter on his bike which would not allow the oil to recirculate fast enough while riding that hard for a long duration. He put the 30 micron filter back on the bike and never had the problem again. Just throwing it out there...

Actually, I just spoke with this person and the idiot light didn't come on, the bike just quit?

 

[Raywood]

I had a friend that was riding his BD pretty hard on the eway a few years back and out of no where, the oil pressure idiot light came on so he immediately pulled over and checked the oil bag and could not see any oil inside. After it sat for a while, the oil bag eventually refilled. The dealership had inadvertantly put the smaller micron filter on his bike which would not allow the oil to recirculate fast enough while riding that hard for a long duration. He put the 30 micron filter back on the bike and never had the problem again. Just throwing it out there...

Actually, I just spoke with this person and the idiot light didn't come on, the bike just quit?

Doesn't make sense cause isn't this the reason the filters have a bypass. It's supposed to lift at what 2 to 3 pounds pressure?

 

[Black Dawg]

I had a friend that was riding his BD pretty hard on the eway a few years back and out of no where, the oil pressure idiot light came on so he immediately pulled over and checked the oil bag and could not see any oil inside. After it sat for a while, the oil bag eventually refilled. The dealership had inadvertantly put the smaller micron filter on his bike which would not allow the oil to recirculate fast enough while riding that hard for a long duration. He put the 30 micron filter back on the bike and never had the problem again. Just throwing it out there...

Actually, I just spoke with this person and the idiot light didn't come on, the bike just quit?

Sounds like he had other issues. If the motor quit due to oil starvation it would be because it was destroyed. The issue your friend had makes no sense in regards to oil filtration. Simply, if his oil tank was empty, there would be no place else for 3 quarts of oil to be, and it certainly would not continue to flow threw the filter and gradually refill the oil tank if the engine was off as the oil tank is higher than the engine (no gravity feed). If the filter could not handle the flow of oil or even if it was completely clogged the filter would go into bypass mode and you'd never know as there would still be flow to the engine.

Everyone needs to make their own decision based on the evidence or personal preference. I've researched the issue pretty thoroughly today and based on all the information I've come to the conclusion that the HD Superpremium5 and similar Amsoil low micron filters (synthetic fiber media type filters) are perfectly fine for these engines and are, imo, much better than the old S&S 30 micron. Harley Davidson, in their advertising (see above) states they have test certified this filter. I assume they do not want any damage claims resulting from a filter than cannot handle basic oil flow requirements for any of their engines the filter was designed for.

 

[Deathmachine4718]

After reading Sul's last post, it did occur to me that the dealership he was going to was known for bonehead mistakes for a while, maybe they put a TC one on it? I asked Carl (the guy who this happened to) and he is positive they made reference to the microns of the filter when he had them check it out, but again, they may have made the bonehead call? I just remember him telling me about this happening and how glad I was that I do my own maint.

 

[Black Dawg]

ray, this offers somewhat of an explanation to what deathmachine descibed.

S&S Cycle - Technical Tips FAQ - Oil filters - Should I run a 10 micron or a 30 micron oil filter?

I've seen and read that but do not think it's applicable to this new generation of filters that have synthetic filter media. Since they don't specify it's hard to say.

 

[Black Dawg]

i'm thinking the anti drainback (AD) is blocking flow on the evo motor because the oil flow of our evo style motors is reversed as of the TC.

also in hindsight this could be why the bypass doesnt come into effect.

whether its has a better media isnt the issue. i believe its the AD thats the issue.

Well, oil still travels in the same direction. It enters the filter through the outer ring holes then is forced thru the media and exits through the center. The only difference between an evo and TC motor is that in a TC the oil then travels to the bearings, on an evo it goes to the tank. The anti drainback is merely a flapper one way valve that prevents oil from doing the reverse due to gravity with the engine off keeping the filter partially full of oil. If oil entered thru the center and exited thru the ring oil holes you'd have 100% oil flow blockage with an anti drain valve.

HD recommends this filter as an upgrade to 99'+ evos. I dunno.

 

[Vegas]

It looks like you could use the TC filter but S&S states it is to restrictive. All filters as black dawg says flow from outside in so that is not the issue. I need to check the filters micron rating that my local dealer has been handing me for years.