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Oil Filters, whose is best, and Why?
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Comments
Champion?
I doubt if Wal-Mart writes a separate specification that is lower, it wouldn't make production sense. A company like Champion makes money by making as few changes as possible. Somewhere else (in the last day or two) I did read that Champion also manufactured for AC-Delco. Certainly the Super Tech and AC-Delco filters looked completely identical, although I was unable to cut one apart in the store :>
I suspect that most of the private brands they sell whether Super Tech, STP or whatever are identical and the lower level line. You could check the boxes and see if they have the quality comparisons with Fram as far as filtering. For most uses, I suspect these filters are plenty good enough. At least they are all metal and not cardboard, something Champion Labs makes a big deal about on their web page.
I'll continue to insist on Anything But Fram, even though the boobs at Wal-Mart often ignore me.
O-Rings seal. Also the efficiencies of AC apparrently is not very good (SuperTech is 98%/94% Single Pass/Multi-Pass.)
http://www.pureoil.com/faq.htm
Also, not arguing that Mobil1 isn't overpriced, but they do have the Fiberglass Media which is a depth filter vs Paper which is a surface media.
This filter is very much like the Deutsch unit, which is similar to the Bosch filter (manufactured by Champion Laboratories). It has the Bosch cartridge design, but uses a different filter element (similar to other AC Delco elements). Like the Deutsch filter, the backplate has 8 round inlet holes with one larger than the others. The AC Delco catalog lists the PF56 as an equivalent filter, but I could not find it to test."
So maybe there's not two different levels of Champion Labs filters after all if Deutsch and Bosch are the same. And, maybe AC Delco does specify a different filter medium, meaning that Champion Labs may make some, but not all of their filters. I still think that they might make GM filters themselves and farm the rest out to Champion Labs.
I couldn't find any more references to the test quoted in the Pure 1 web page. It's interesting that they have the Fram filter listed as the second best, after their own.
I can also understand the marketing dynamics in how Champion can make a "Walmart" filter just by repainting it.
I nominate (hoping for pro/con discussion) the WALMART house brand filters, SUPER TECH, as a candidate. Reasons:
1. Manufactured by one of the most reputable makers.
2. Universal availability.
3. Backed by an outstanding American retail chain.
4. No bad publicity to mar acceptability.
5. The prices make these filters a fine bargain.
True, they may not be for everybody for every application, but overall, what is more optimal in value for the consumer?
If you like dino oil and don't want to change your own, Wal-Mart will do it with Tech2000 (Quaker State) for under $12. That's a pretty good deal. Only problem with that is that I constantly have to fight with 'em or they'll put a Fram filter on instead of a Tech 2000. Next time I'm going to put a big NO-FRAM sign up on the instrument panel.
As a result I think they would change suppliers in a heartbeat.
try writing their national HQ about a problem - they don't answer.
why did they creat "supertech" except for low price?
I don't hot-rod in my 95 Contour SE MTX (rarely above 5k RPMs). I use Mobil1 5W30 and the Motorcraft FL820S filter, and change both every 5k miles (thinking about bumping that to 6k) which is about 4 months for me. How much of a risk do you really think it is, to be running the 820 filter?
I always heard the 820 was a great filter-- Pure One quality at a Motorcraft price (I buy them at WalMart for $2.97). That's why I use them.
Jake, the expert Isuzu mechanic on the now-defunct Ask Jake forum at www.itog.com (Isuzu Trooper Owners Guild), always swore by genuine Isuzu oil filters.
I sort of concur though that Wal-Mart is into price more then quality and it make sno difference who makes the filter it is what is inside and the quality of the inside parts.
So for $2 cut one open!
I tend to see the redline (7K) several times a day when I'm out playing in my SVT Contour and I've been know to try to do better than double the recommended speeds in exit ramp corners, so I tend to believe the higher flow ratings of the K&N are better than the superior filtering of the PureOne/Motorcraft unit. Of course this is my weekend fun car, I drive the '87 LeSabre M-F for my work ride.
I use 5W30 Mobil One and the K&N 2010 every 5K miles or 6 months, mostly because I can sleep better at night.
If I still blow an engine due to oil starvation... Well, that's simply an opportunity to mate the 3L Duratec bottom end with the SVT heads and have an even more powerful SVT 8^)
Hope this helps.
TB
I don't believe that the K&N will increase the potential oil flow to the top of the engine. But I do believe that a restrictive oil filter can prevent ever reaching the maximum flow in those other areas.
TB
BTW, the Super Tech ATF said "Quaker State" in small type above the "Super Tech" text. $4.17 per gallon - not bad.
"What makes K&N oil filters better?
The K&N Performance Gold® Oil Filter has been constructed from the ground up to satisfy the high performance needs of race car owners and drivers, as well as the average vehicle owner who wants the very best oil filter available. Our oil filter's efficiency rating meets or exceeds the requirements of high performance automotive engine builders. The heavy duty construction provides over 550 PSI hydrostatic burst*, and helps reduce the risk of rock and stone damage.
The real quality isn't just on the outside... the inner filter element traps contaminant as small as 10 to 20 microns in size. We use metal top end caps instead of paper to ensure that no unfiltered oil can get back into the system. The solid construction allows for oil flow rates between 12-16 gpm (depending on filter size), and is unaffected by racing fuels. All K&N Performance Gold® Oil Filters are manufactured to exacting engineering standards. They are covered by a limited warranty to be free from defects in materials and workmanship when installed and replaced using engine and equipment manufacturers recommended service interval.
*Based on HP-3001 performance test"
http://www.knfilters.com/oilfilter.htm
So I dunno if it is Fiberglass or an "enhanced paper element" but I do know that it will not be the element that prevents oil from getting to the top of the engine or into the bearings.
Yes, I have made the conscious decision that even dirty oil readily available is superior to ultra clean oil that cannot be pumped to the parts that need it.
TB
I had looked at the MoPar study on a number of occasions, I forgot just how bad the confessions of the Fram engineer were however. Scary stuff, indeed. I'm going to paste this to my dashboard along with a large sign instructing the Wal-Mart flunkies to use their own brand oil filter and to keep the Fram stuff off my car!
Anyways, I read on some MR2 website that Toyota filters are even worse then Fram filters. Does anyone know who builds Toyota filters? Also does anyone know who builds Honda filters?
Thanks
Honda filters are either very good or sorta poor. The made-in-USA Honda filters are made by a company called Filtech. These are EXCELLENT. I'd use these above just about any other brand of filter.
There is also a smaller, lighter filter made in Canada which is ... with God as my witness ... a Fram filter cartridge in a higher-quality canister ... probably assembled by Fram. Yes, I cut them open and saw the cardboard and all!
>:^O
I now use Hastings filters (LF-402, I think) instead of OEM Honda because my usual outlets for OEM parts have switched over to the Canadian filters. <:^(
--- Bror Jace
I will post their reply when received. By the way, Amsoil rates their filter first follwed by Mobil 1 and Hard Driver (very close 2nd and 3rd ratings, I mean very close to Amsoil) followed by Hastings followed by Pure One.
I was just at Walmart and was looking at those Supertech filters and compared it to the PF52 at Walmart...Comparing the 2 filters for that motor surprised me! other than the color of the can and the size/number of the oil inlet holes( the Supertech had the normal Champion signature 1-large inlet hole bigger than the others..)..the 2 filters are the same inside, looking at the 2 they are identical when looking inside oil outlet hole. The AC PF52 sold at Walmart is NOT the same as the AC PF52 sold at Kmart or other places. If you really want the AC filter go across the street and get it from Kmart, If you want it from Walmart just get the Supertech , its the same(at Walmart anyway) and only costs $2, oh yeah, they sell Fram too, get the supertech!
I found a page that has a comparison photo of the AC PF44 and the UPF44(Ultraguard gold version) BIIGGG difference , also $2.50 vs $10...
check it out
http://www.cau-llc.com/acdelco.htm
see y'all
This is on the separate web page for Mopar filters, it links to the overall study:
http://members.nbci.com/minimopar/oilfilterstudy-mopar.html
"3549957
I purchased this filter from two places, to prove a point. The point is that Mopar filters are like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get. In fact, this seems to be true of many OEM and some clone-brand filters. I purchased one filter from my local dealer and the other from a nearby store that stocks some Mopar parts (Murray's Auto Parts). Though the Mopar part numbers are the same, the filters are completely different. You can identify the manufacturer of a particular filter by looking at the backplate. See the AC Delco, Champion, Fram, Purolator, and Wix sections for the details on what to look for."
Buy one, use it and cut it open afterwards to see if the innards look like they are well constructed. An OEM filter may not be the best ... but it won't be damaging/dreadful.
--- Bror Jace
I don't really push the oil anyway, change every 3k, even cheap filters should handle that.
And when my wife wants to go shopping at Walmart, I say ok, I'll be in the sporting goods/auto department...looking at filters....
and pointing some serious prayers towards NY and Washington DC
see y'all
BTW I noticed that some of the Pure-One filters call for a relief presssure of 10-14 pounds in some filters which have no visible bypass valve. Whats up with that???