Remote Oil Filter on an 8.1L

dewfpo · June 30, 2005

Crawled under the 4x4 HD today to scope out the impending oil/filter change and cursed the GM engineers entire time I was under there.

Anyone installed a remote oil filter on their 8.1L? If so, what brand did you use, are your happy with it?, where'd you move the filter to?

Thanks, DEWFPO

Trouttrooper · July 1, 2005

Please tell me somebody has done this. I've only had to change mine once so far but afterwards I was ready to go hunting for the IDIOT who put it there. Words can"t express my feelings afterwards.

Are there any engine longevity issues in putting the oil filter up in the engine compartment? It's a pressurized system anyways so I wouldn't think it would matter where the filter goes, just so there is a filter in the system.

dewfpo · July 1, 2005

Please tell me somebody has done this. I've only had to change mine once so far but afterwards I was ready to go hunting for the IDIOT who put it there. Words can"t express my feelings afterwards.

Are there any engine longevity issues in putting the oil filter up in the engine compartment? It's a pressurized system anyways so I wouldn't think it would matter where the filter goes, just so there is a filter in the system.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I did this on my 85 Ford F-150 4x4. Moved the filter up on top of the fenderwell. Even installed a dual setup on that truck and never had any problems. Oil pressure always came up immediately even with 24 inch hoses that drained each time.

DEWFPO

Burbman · July 1, 2005

Always did my own oil changes, now I pay my buddy who owns repair shop $26 to do it. I found out the filter is a whole lot easier to get to when the truck is on a lift. Plus, he keeps speedi-dry handy in larger quantities than I do.....

Still makes a mess on under truck, oil runs everywhere when you unscrew the filter...

Polak · July 1, 2005

Always did my own oil changes, now I pay my buddy who owns repair shop $26 to do it. I found out the filter is a whole lot easier to get to when the truck is on a lift. Plus, he keeps speedi-dry handy in larger quantities than I do.....

Still makes a mess on under truck, oil runs everywhere when you unscrew the filter...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yup, but just think of how well the front driveshaft's U-joints are lubed on everybodys 8.1L

cwh · July 3, 2005

I have an '01 GMC 2500 HD with the 8.1/Allison. I bought the Amsoil dual remote filter kit and have it installed. I was kind of disappointed at the price of the unit but once I saw how difficult it was to change the stock filter I was much more at ease with the money I spent. It is a breeze to replace filters . I change them once a year and the oil about every 35k miles. The filters and the oil are quite expensive as well, but the truck starts easier and runs cooler than with conventional oil. I'm not sure how long I'm going to run Amsoil fluids but the dual remote filter kit was well worth the money.

Chris Harding

Anchorage, Alaska

dewfpo · July 3, 2005

Chris,

Did you install it yourself?

Any photos of the adapter, hoses or mount locations?

I'm concerned about the small space where the filter was located and trying to get all those fittings in there as well as running the lines near the exhaust and the front driveshaft. I'm curious to see where you mounted the filters.

Thanks, DEWFPO

Bud · July 3, 2005

I have an '01 GMC 2500 HD with the 8.1/Allison. I bought the Amsoil dual remote filter kit and have it installed. I was kind of disappointed at the price of the unit but once I saw how difficult it was to change the stock filter I was much more at ease with the money I spent. It is a breeze to replace filters . I change them once a year and the oil about every 35k miles. The filters and the oil are quite expensive as well, but the truck starts easier and runs cooler than with conventional oil. I'm not sure how long I'm going to run Amsoil fluids but the dual remote filter kit was well worth the money.
Chris Harding

Anchorage, Alaska

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you have to use Amsoil filters? I've always used AC.

Where did you get the kit?

cwh · July 3, 2005

One of our helicopter pilots here at work is an Amsoil rep. I bought the kit through him and installed it myself. You can look on http://www.amsoil.com and check the kit out. It was a little tricky getting the hoses and fittings right. I had to purchase extra hose to connect as the filter block is several feet from the factory filter location. I used JIC type swivel fittings on the adapter at the engine. Trial and error. I had to use two 90 degree fittings on the adapter. One shorter than the other to get them both screwed in. There isn't much clearance between the fittings and the front driveline u-joint. The dual filter block is mounted below the drivers side door on the inside of the frame. There wasn't much choice of where to install it. It has a petcock for taking oil samples once a year and it is a little difficult to get to and use. I will take some pictures when I get back home tomorrow. I still use Amsoil filters as I am on their tri-guard program. When I get tired of spending a small fortune on filters I will try to find a filter that will mount to the dual remote kit. The synthetic oil really did help the truck a bunch. Up here in AK during the cold winter nights, the truck fires right off. Before it was real slow to crack even when the block heater was plugged in.

Chris

dewfpo · July 3, 2005

Thanks CWH

DEWFPO

cwh · July 7, 2005

I took several pictures of my amsoil dual remote setup. I can't figure out how to download them though. If anybody has another way to download let me know. I had more clearance than I thought I did between the engine mounted adapter fittings and the front driveline u-joint. Maybe 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Also the pictures don't really show how the hoses are run. They leave the engine block at a right angle straight to the frame rail and run right down into the dual remote block. Anyway, I guess I could email the pictures to those that are interested.

chris