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best oil filter?

What do you think is the best oil filter?

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muddyblzr

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about to change the oil again and i wanted to get everyones general opinion on the best oil filter. what do you run and why. ive heard good thigns about both ac delco and wix and im starting to here more bad about fram because tehre made of paper elements that break down. if anyone has any light to shed on that it would be great
if you got anohter filter you like tell me. thanks alot
 
I run Wix filters. I cut the filters apart after draining and learned a long time ago that I don't like Fram. Wix, AC Delco and a few others are good but a lot of the others are pure junk.
 
I know its filters for Subaru but I have to give this guy credit where credit is due. Looks like for the money, Purolator filters are hard to beat. Take a look at the Excel file and pics to see for yourself.

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/oil/filters/

I reviewed the following filters ...

STANDARD REPLACEMENT FILTERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Subaru OEM 15208AA080
Purolator PureONE PL14612
Purolator Premium Plus L14612
ProLine PPL14612
TotalGrip (Advance Auto) AA6607
MotorCraft FL-816
K&N HP-1008
Mobil 1 M1-108
STP S6607
SuperTech ST6607
WIX 51365
NAPA Gold 1365
FRAM Extra Guard PH6607
FRAM Tough Guard TG6607

OVERSIZED FILTERS (same in all dimensions except taller)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator PureONE PL14610


Filters Obtained and waiting for analysis:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator Premium Plus L14610 (Oversized)
MotorCraft FL-821 (Oversized)
Wix 51356 (Oversized)
Napa Gold 1365 (Oversized)
Amsoil SDF20 (Oversized)

Filters waiting to be obtained:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
AC Delco PF1237
Amsoil SDF13
Mobil 1 M1-110 (Oversized)
ProLine PPL14612 (Oversized)

Each filter's diameters were measured and the filter was cut open and the internal diameters measured. Also took pictures of everything. In short - the best filter is the OEM filter in the standard replacement category. Use the OEM filter. It is, without a doubt, the best in construction and filter area/volume in the standard replacement filters. In second place is the PureONE. The OEM filter might be eclipsed by a filter in the oversized category but only time will tell. I need to start ripping apart the oversized filters. I have further comments in the Excel Spreadsheet. Click on the XLS file to view the excel spreadsheet with all the data. Go into the directories to view the pictures. The names of the directories correspond to the filters. I also have a compare directory. There are two sheets to the XLS file. The first sheet is the standard replacement filters. The second sheet is the oversized filters.

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/oil/filters/

IMHO, nothing comes close to the OEM filter in the standard replacement category. The standard PureONE (PL14612) was close in filter area ... but still lacked the overall bulletproof construction of the OEM casing and gasket. The oversized PL14610 PureONE has more filter area, but still lacks the bulletproof construction of the OEM filter. Now, with that said, if you want a filter you can pickup locally that is a kickass filter then the PL14610 is your friend. It's the best 'aftermarket' filter so far (I reserve the right to change this as time progresses and I test more filters). I was very disappointed with both the K&N and Mobil-1 filters. These filters only had like 1/2 of the filter area of the OEM. Rumor has it that the M1-110 is a longer version of the M1-108 and will yield better total area/volume. I'll put it on my list of filters to obtain.

If anybody wants me to cut open any other STi oil filters just let me know. I've listed everything that I can get locally as well as through on-line parts places above. I'm sure there are a couple more filters like the Bosch. Once I have analyzed everything I can get my hands on then I'll probably slap together a webpage to make the site more user friendly. But, until then, you guys can enjoy the current results.

Please keep in mind that the obvious thing lacking in everything that I have done is REAL testing of the filter media in terms of what it can and cannot trap. I don't have the ability to do that. I just looked at the overall contruction of the filters and determined the area & volume for the filtering media. Take a look for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
Click to expand...

Another study:
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

And another:
http://www.corolland.com/oil-filters.html
If I had to pick 5 out of the 10 as being the best, I would pick the Purolator PureOne, K&N, Toyota, Wix, and Purolator PremiumPlus as this group.
Click to expand...

And another:
http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/filters.shtml

Happy reading! :D
 
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top 3 are wix / acdelco / and purilator premium.

napa and carquest and someothers are wix just stamped the brand that thay want. look at the napa # and take off the 2 in the silver line and its a wix #
 
Donaldson nano fiber filters are #1 IMHO. Amsoil filters are #2. Caterpillar also makes excellent filters...but the applications don't really apply to most of us. Personally, unless it's a really HI-PO engine, or it's operated in really nasty conditions for extended periods of time without service, I just stick to the good old AC Delco. I feel like it's a good filter at a good price. Purolator is my filter of choice for non GM applications.
 
after reading those articles wix, ac delco and purolator sound about as good as they get. hmmm i guess whichever o'reillys has in stock and isnt too expensive will be my choice. guess that next oil change might come alittle sooner
 
Tried them all..

I use Wix,AC-Delco,Purolator,or Baldwin filters as a rule..I'd only use a Fram as a last resort,and not on my vehicles!..the WIX factory rep came to the parts stores I worked at,and took other brands of filters we also sold,and cut the "can" off with a pipe cutter!..

I was amazed at the lack of filtering media in the Fram,with only a peice of string around the circumfrence of the filter to help it keep its shape!..the Wix filters have anti-drainback valves on many ones Fram does not,and they use a "leaf spring" dewhicky to hold the paper media under tension ,whereas the fram just had a rubber insert...for all the fancy "anti-slip" coatings,and high dollar advertising Fram does,its evident that all their money goes into marketing,more than actual product quality..--

But if you change your oil every 3000 miles like your supposed to,I don't think ANY filter will give you any greif..might allow a bit more wear from letting bigger specks of dirt through..I think money is well spent on good quality filters,and oil too..cheap is nice at first,but can bite you in the butt if you keep the vehicle a long time..

We sold "Champ" filters too,and despite being a "bargain" brand that cost 2 bucks less,they were actually a pretty good quality!..I ran Champ filters (who also makes Baldwin too I'm told) on many of my trucks,and never had any problems.."Group 7" filters we sold too--they were a bargain brand made by Purolator..not too bad for quality too..

I'm guilty of using the "Hencho En Mexico" "Value Craft" ones from autozone lately,since money is scarce now--but I don't like doing that....also "STP" and whatever brand Autozone had before they went to Bosch and the "Value Craft" ones..even the AC-Delco ones I bought recently for my 305 and 6.2 were made in mexico now,(so I wonder if they are still as good?)--and they changed the number from PF30 to PF1218 or something on the 305 one??--why,after 30+ years,they had to change the number,makes no sense to me.. :confused: :crazy:
 
diesel4me said:
I use Wix,AC-Delco,Purolator,or Baldwin filters as a rule..I'd only use a Fram as a last resort,and not on my vehicles!..the WIX factory rep came to the parts stores I worked at,and took other brands of filters we also sold,and cut the "can" off with a pipe cutter!..

I was amazed at the lack of filtering media in the Fram,with only a peice of string around the circumfrence of the filter to help it keep its shape!..the Wix filters have anti-drainback valves on many ones Fram does not,and they use a "leaf spring" dewhicky to hold the paper media under tension ,whereas the fram just had a rubber insert...for all the fancy "anti-slip" coatings,and high dollar advertising Fram does,its evident that all their money goes into marketing,more than actual product quality..--

But if you change your oil every 3000 miles like your supposed to,I don't think ANY filter will give you any greif..might allow a bit more wear from letting bigger specks of dirt through..I think money is well spent on good quality filters,and oil too..cheap is nice at first,but can bite you in the butt if you keep the vehicle a long time..

We sold "Champ" filters too,and despite being a "bargain" brand that cost 2 bucks less,they were actually a pretty good quality!..I ran Champ filters (who also makes Baldwin too I'm told) on many of my trucks,and never had any problems.."Group 7" filters we sold too--they were a bargain brand made by Purolator..not too bad for quality too..

I'm guilty of using the "Hencho En Mexico" "Value Craft" ones from autozone lately,since money is scarce now--but I don't like doing that....also "STP" and whatever brand Autozone had before they went to Bosch and the "Value Craft" ones..even the AC-Delco ones I bought recently for my 305 and 6.2 were made in mexico now,(so I wonder if they are still as good?)--and they changed the number from PF30 to PF1218 or something on the 305 one??--why,after 30+ years,they had to change the number,makes no sense to me.. :confused: :crazy:
Click to expand...

crap! :doah: guess ill be changin my oil tomorrow. cant have my engine blowin up cuz of some crap filter. gotta make that baby last.
thanks for all the info guys keep the votes coming.
 
I've run a mix of Fram/Honeywell, Motomaster, and Purolator over the years on my vehicles, and my Dad's. Oh... add LuberFiner to the mix as of late.

My choices are mostly related to price, and what's available after normal business hours. :o

I haven't had an engine go south on us since I started changing oil. ;)
 
fram are cheap pieces of ****(IMO anyway) there is nothing to them if u cut them open and compare to other filters
 
Hey, if them boys making 200 left turns at 200 mph use Wix, I think they are good filters...I use mainly Delco and Wix but recently tried one of the Purolator PureOne filters. The jury is out until I change the oil again...
 
Haven't heard much about the K&N filters. I cut one apart and was happy with what was inside. It was dirty and seemed to trap a lot of nasties and have a good amount of surface area. And I especially love the 1" nut on the bottom, makes changes easy. Any other thoughts?
 
I use Wix filters, more like brand loyalty than anything else. I know wix oil filters are good, so I use wix air filters, fuel filters, etc.
 
well...

Like I listed before--Wix,AC-Delco,Purolator,and Baldwin are the 4 brands I trust most (though AC-Delco is not as high on my list now that its no longer made in the USA).. I figure all my vehicles have at least 100,000 miles on them,and who knows WHAT brand the pevious owners used,or if they even bothered to change the oil regularly period??--so why get too anal about filters and oil,when untold damage could have been done long ago by previous owners!

My 79 C10's 305 motor came from an 86 G10 van owned by a cable TV company! :eek1: --the diesel's 6.2 is a boneyard refugee of unknown vintage and mileage(supposedly 80,000 miles,but I have my doubts!)..my Ford Contour has 133,000 miles,and I've never changed the oil yet,nor do I even
know where the filter IS,or what # it takes!--only had it since march,and have driven it only about 1200 miles so far! :doah:

If I had a brand new or late model vehicle,I'd be much more fussy about who's filter and what brand of oil I'd use (and synthetic would probably be my choice of oil)..but for all my older beaters,they should be thankful I change the oil and filter period,and which brands I use is based more on price than anything else..

I can buy Wix or AC-Delco filters on sale for about 1-2 bucks more than the cheapies,so I use them,and Shell Rotella 15W40 oil in the 6.2..sometimes I buy 5 gallon pails of it and use it in both my trucks..the car I'll use 5w-30 or whatever it says too..I use 10w30 in the 305 mostly..now that I think about it--ALL of them need an oil change! :doah: --I havent gone 3000 miles in any of them,but its been many months since the last one..-I'd say the diesel is the one that needs more frequent oil changes than any of them,it soots up fast in a diesel.. :crazy:
 
Been using K & N
I like the hex nut on the bottom.
I've not cut one apart yet but so far
I just figured - good air filters = good oil filters.
maybe pretty stupid on my part but it hasn't bit me yet:thinking:
 
if AC Delco carries a filter for the car, i run that, if not, Wix.
yeah, wix is probably better, but costs a couple dollars more, and delco works just fine.

Fram is garbage. i cut a used one open and compared it to a used delco. the fram is glued together with CARDBOARD, and it had started to come unglued, and the cardboard was falling apart! never again will i buy a fram oil filter.
 
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