Non-Stock Fuel Filters, for carbs, aftermarket FI, relocated pumps, engine swaps.... Options

[McMark]

I see this quite a bit and wanted to share my opinions on non-stock fuel filters. There are a ton of reasons the people would install different fuel filters, ranging from installing carbs, to relocating the fuel pump, to running aftermarket FI, engine swaps, upgrading to modern technology, etc.

The #1 thing to look at when choosing an aftermarket filter is the filter element size. These are measured in microns. Fuel Injection should have a 10 micron filter, carbs can get away with something larger, up to 40 microns (but that's getting pretty big).

The #2 thing to look at is the actual filter body size. Here's you're trying to make sure you have a filter unit that fits where you want it to, but also has enough size to deal with contamination over time. A tiny filter body has a tiny filter inside, and a tiny filter will start to lose flow sooner as contaminants collect in the filter element.

One rule-of-thumb that I start off with when trying to select a filter is starting my search with OE filters for newer cars. These are all built to for fuel injection (<10micron) and built to last for a reasonable life span (years). This is a bit of a complicated way to search, because you have to look at a lot of pictures. A lot of these filters don't explicitly call out the micron rating, but if it's made for modern FI and it's a reputable brand (FRAM is not reputable, for example) you can pretty safely assume it's a good filter.

Most people start their filter search on eBay, Amazon, or Summit (etc). A lot of these aftermarket filters are washable, billet aluminum, and lots of other fancy features. And a LOT of them are built to attract uninformed bargain hunters, who buy what's cheap, looks neat and says 'fuel filter' in the name.

Here's a filter I just pulled off a car. It's a Sniper Motorsports (a division of Holley) filter. It's rated at 30microns (way too coarse for FI) and it's tiny. I'm installing a Mahle KL 65 filter which is used on some Boxsters, have correct 5/16" nipples on either end, Mahle mentions 'up to 1 micron' filtration (doubtful, but I'm confident it's <10microns), and it's HUGE. This filter will do it's job well and will last for a long time.

One final note, clear plastic filters are 'neat' to look at, but are always not-great filters. The 'lowest' quality filter I would put on any 914 is the stock 914 filter. But this KL 65 is a better choice as long as it fits where you want to put it.

Hopefully this is helpful knowledge.

[Andyrew]

I had a relatively small (2" wide by 8" long") 10 micron filter that I used for my system. It was rated at 600hp so I figured I would be OK for my sub 600hp setup, It clogged up after about 500 miles where my 100 micron pre pump filter was completely clear.

I havent replaced it yet... I am confident I dont want to go back to a 10 micron filter that isnt cleanable (My 100 micron is able to be cleaned)


So just know small and compact isnt always good...



I had the same type of issues you had Mark with tuning, my 044 pump would scream like crazy which I thought was normal as I know they are loud pumps and I even replaced it thinking it was going bad as I would lean out over 10psi then after about 50 miles of troubleshooting we finally pulled the filter and figured out that was the issues. No issues now! We'll see what 20-30psi feels like (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif)

[Dave_Darling]

I am confident I dont want to go back to a 10 micron filter that isnt cleanable (My 100 micron is able to be cleaned)

I would be suspicious of any fine filter that is cleanable. I am not confident of my personal ability to clean out 11-micron debris from a filter without something like an ultrasonic cleaner. I'd just opt for a replaceable filter, or at very least a filter with a replaceable element.

And the large filters, as the one McMark shows, should last any of us for quite a few years. I can live with throwing away a filter a couple of times a decade...

--DD

[SirAndy]

I can live with throwing away a filter a couple of times a decade...

Which reminds me, mine has been on the car for over 10 years now.
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