SOFA and Kerker pipes

[65oldsboy]

I've been searching on CH11 for a while and have not been able to find my answer. (I'm sure it's here somewhere.) Is anybody running TC's SOFA (without oil cooler) and Kerker 4 into 1 pipes? I just wanted to know if there is enough clearance to get the SOFA/filter in there with the Kerkers. If so, what filter do you run? I would rather run a mc filter than an automotive filter.

[crazy steve]

...I would rather run a mc filter than an automotive filter.

Why's that? The filter doesn't know what kind of motor it's on, and all filters pretty much use the same type of filtering media; if anything, the automotive units will tend to have better media, and more of it. More filter area means less pressure drop and longer life.

Sure, you'll hear horror stories; 'yeah, I know a guy who did that and burned up his motor' but you'll rarely get first-person confirmation, and it's usually another issue that's really at fault. While I'm not running TC's SOFA, I have been using a FL-1A car filter on my Sportster for years with no ill effects (and know many others doing the same), in spite of the 'predicted' problems (by the MC filter sellers) this was supposed to cause.

Just curious...

'78E original owner

[65oldsboy]

From what I've read in a previous thread, the MC filters have a bypass relief valve that some/most automotive filters do not have. When using the stock set-up, the oil filter bolt holes act as the relief.

[crazy steve]

Hmmm, I don't think I've ever seen an automotive filter that didn't have a built-in bypass. That was the 'warning' I was given about running the Ford filter on my Sportster; that the bypass wouldn't be 'calibrated' correctly and I'd suffer oil starvation. Funny, a guy I know has run the same filter in LSR runs at Bonneville (with 70 wt oil no less) and had no problems. And isn't the bypass only supposed to come into play if the filter is clogged?

'78E original owner

[65oldsboy]

You are probably right that most if not all auto filters would have a bypass. It is the "calibration" that bothers me a bit. It might not make any difference but I would rather play it safe and use a MC filter just in case. If I did use an automotive filter and I did have oil starvation problems, I would never be able to stop kicking myself about it.

[crazy steve]

I look at it like this: the bypass isn't supposed to operate until the filter is clogged and unable to pass oil, so if you've run it that long, you're probably getting what you deserve...

'78E original owner

[crazy steve]

I'll add that the only thing I don't like about TCs SOFA is that spin-on filter is a bit unprotected under there unless you have some sort of aftermarket exhaust that shields it a bit. Probably not an issue for most guys, but I have a 3/4-mile long gravel driveway with some sharp rocks, so I have concern about puncturing the thin metal shell of the spin-on.

'78E original owner

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Oldsboy,

Have you read the tech tip for the SOFA? I clearly state that the filter I chose for it is for a GW1500, the Fram 6017A, it IS a motorcycle filter with built in bypass.

Toolmaker Tim had some Jardines that rubbed a hole in the filter, and he then found a different one, the 6607, which is a bit shorter so it wouldn't rub the pipes. Okay, here are the specs from FRAM for the two filters:

Part Number PH6607

Zoom PH6607_010410.jpg

Product Type Full-Flow Lube Spin-on

Anti-Drain Valve YES
Product Height 2.63"
Product I.D. 20mmx1.5mm Th'd
Product O.D. 2.69"
Relief Valve Setting PSI 13

Fitment Example: Kawasaki ZR1000, Z1000, Ninja, etc.



************************************************** ****
Part Number PH6017A

Zoom PH6017A_012406.jpg

Product Type Motorcycle Full-Flow Lube Spin-on

Anti-Drain Valve YES
Product Height 2.92"
Product I.D. 20mmx1.5mm Th'd
Product O.D. 2.69"
Relief Valve Setting PSI 13

So, you can measure from the mating surface of the OEM filter cup down,
~1.15" for the SOFA, then the 2.63" for the filter, and then add 0.25" for room to be able to spin the filter on/off, and see if that distance will hit the pipes!? IF so....then the SOFA probably won't work.
T.C.

[65oldsboy]

Thanks TC. Just what I was looking for. I know I read it before while just looking around the site. I spent a half hour searching for it today (at work) and couldn't find it again.

[Toolmaker Tim]

Fram 6077

Now I'm gonna have to measure the height of the filter. I seems to me that the filter I have, a Super Tech 6077, is shorter than the height that Fram states. I've been wrestling with my carbs and keep forgetting to measure it. What I do know is when the 6017 let go the back tire got a little squirrelly. I'll check and get back to you.

[Toolmaker Tim]

Filter Height

Ok, went out to the mancave and checked. The Super Tech filter measures 2.437" high. That's about 3/16's shorter than the Fram. I got he Super Tech because I was told it was made by Champion and it is marked as made in the USA. Fram's are made in Korea I believe. Yes, I know, they are Jap bikes, humor me. The bottom line is I now have enough clearance for my Jardine pipes that I didn't with the Fram 6017A.

[65oldsboy]

Ok, went out to the mancave and checked. The Super Tech filter measures 2.437" high. That's about 3/16's shorter than the Fram. I got he Super Tech because I was told it was made by Champion and it is marked as made in the USA. Fram's are made in Korea I believe. Yes, I know, they are Jap bikes, humor me. The bottom line is I now have enough clearance for my Jardine pipes that I didn't with the Fram 6017A.

Cool. Thanks for measuring. I'm gonna go out to the sweaty man cave and do some measuring tonight. If SWMBO doesn't give me too much of a hard time, I'll get the new fuel lines on too. After putting on the replacement carbs that I just got, I see why its called the "octy."

[thewiz]

I have been too lazy to measure ...

the exact clearance myself and I have a SuperTrapp header ... but, by eyeball, it looks as though it will clear on THAT pipe b/c the pipes don't converge until they reach the rear portion of the dogbowl ... regardless of the length of the filter it appears that it will fit. Of more interest to me is the distance from the edge of the adapter plate to the body of the filter.

Reason I post this is that maybe, since Kerker and SuperTrapp are related, there are some design similarities.

Got any of them thangs in stock, there TC?

[65oldsboy]

Got any of them thangs in stock, there TC?

What he said. I need me one of them thangs if ya gots one. (after I do some measuring tonight)

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tim,

Thanks for measuring. I tried to do a cross reference to the # of the supertech you provided, but I could not find one amongst the Fram listings. I also couldn't find any specs on the Walmart site. So...I thought you might have had a dyslexic moment, and transposed the #'s?? That's how I found the Fram6607 vs. the ST6077!?

Wiz, the SOFA plate is essentially the same diameter as the OEM cup. The cup is 5.17", the SOFA is a little less that 5.25" diameter. Some simple math for the above filters....their diameters of 2.69" is 1.35" radius. The SOFA is ~2.62" radius, that means the filter should be ~ 1.27" in from the edge of the SOFA!

I haven't made any yet....been preparing my fight with CITY HALL over my Deck and Gazebo I built, not knowing that an "observational" deck is different than a "water access walkway deck and pier", and is not permitted to be built over the 100' Resource Protected Area line that bordered my OLD deck, due to an estuary in my distant back yard, and the marsh land, and the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act of '88 or such....to prevent construction too close to the water way which could impede the natural filtering affect of the ground, grass, etc., before the rain water runoff gets to the waterway!?!?


I do plan on getting back out in the garage soon to make a few plain SOFA's as well as the SOFCA's that a few folks are wanting. Just need to put about 3-4 fans in there so I can endure the 95+ temps we have been having these past few weeks!!!
T.C.