John.87

I noticed it with my Mustang a few years ago, then my F-150 last year, and today with my 88 Vette. New filter, a Mobil 1 M1-111, was about 3/4 inch shorter than the old filter I took off.

I will say this: it is easier to put on a filter full of oil on a GM than it is a Ford

So is it some sort of new tech that allows filters to be smaller?

leesvet

yeah...to some degree...the trend is smaller everything. Better filtering media, thinner oils, higher operating temps, lighter weight. There is actually less solid matter to screen out in a late model than there was 25 yrs ago due to much reduced wear in the piston/bearing/valve train as result of enhanced fuel control where the oil is not washed off moving parts, negating what lubrication the thin oil film provided...so a smaller filter with better media will do the same task now. I'd be willing to bet the media is finer too...smaller can and a finer (<10 micron) filter media.

Aardwolf

I avoid those, bigger is better! The smaller the filter the less oil will get filtered. I usually use a Fram HP4. I look for a large filter with an anti-drain back valve and a high bypass rating. There is a bypass valve in the filter and if it's to low a lot bypasses the filter. Also I blocked the stock oil filter adapter bypass so more oil will filter.

Frizlefrak

EFI was a quantum leap in reduced engine wear 30 years ago, for exactly those reasons. Today, even everyday cars are getting direct injection, and the fuel metering is even more precise.

dizwiz24

I dont buy it.

There is only one benefit to this and the manufacturer didnt intend for it. This one benefit is that making it smaller will make it easier to fit headers and 7 quart oil pans, etc. into the same spot. So this 'might' benefit me.

However, the main reason:

Less material means less cost for the manufacturer.

However, they sell it to you at the same (or more price).

Meanwhile, the same companies that produce this stuff will have layoffs - despite record profits. (scary..because in the old days companies only laid off if they werent doing well. Now they lay-off so they can do better).

All so some bastard on top can make more money. The mid-level employees / low-level employees will see no benefit and will be made to feel 'lucky' they get to keep their job. Thats the new 'reward' in corporate america, you get to feel 'lucky' you have a job.

This is the trend in everything today.

As for it being lighter weight I realize every lb counts, but you are probably talking about saving an ounce or two. (on the flip side an ounce or two multiplied times hundreds of thousands of units saves the manufacturer quite a bit). So the weight savings doesnt benefit me.

Im sorry to be such a debbie-downer, but if you see it any differently you are just fooling yourself.

JrRifleCoach

Years ago I did a field test and opened 8-9 popular oil filters for inspection.
Bottom line is that you get what you pay for.

JrRifleCoach

Some of you might remember a filter can that boasted its economy by using a toilet paper roll as the disposable element.

To prove my point above; toilet paper is more expensive than Fram.........

ex-x-fire

Some companies are consolidating their products, using one filter to cover maybe 2 or more filters, like sbc short & tall oil filters.

precisionturbovette

All this and yet you use a ****** fram filter?

bjankuski

A fram hp4 is a racing filter and is very high quality. That is all i buy for the sbc.

JrRifleCoach

Hmmm I'm wondering if the racing Fram is really a " for racing purposes only" filter or just one that just says "racing" with a bigger $$ tag.
IMHO if your going to spend the extra money for a "racing" Fram, goto NAPA and get a WIX.

That's the only filter I'll run on my Vette.

Maybe it's time to open some filters for a comparison thread....... I've got the filter cutter!

ch@0s

Frizlefrak

If you change your oil on schedule, your choice of filter becomes much less critical. What I ain't buying is 10K mile intervals on oil changes. That might work fine if you live somewhere green and drive nothing but highway miles....but out here in the desert where it's dusty, uhhhh no.

I'm sure that Fram is on the lower end of the spectrum, but I've run them on the 96 F150 since we bought it new. 17 years later and well beyond 100K, runs like new. Doesn't burn a drop of oil, nor leak any for that matter. It gets changed every 3K. Dusty conditions and a lot of in town short trips. I'd still trust the truck coast to coast tomorrow morning. It uses a Fram PH8A like most Fords....and it's still a big ol' can.

cv67

Small will filter the same amount as a large one it only gets pumped in there so fast. Smaller will get dirtier quicker thats all.
if it werent for the small ones Id have to take the header off every time I changed them. I have cut open a fram and wix..wont touch a fram again you can see the difference
Maybe the fram racing (hp4) are better dont know

bjankuski

The hp4 is a high quality filter that is better than anything else i have looked at. High quality filter material, anti drain back valve, high pressure bypass valve 25psi, large capacity, 200 psi burst pressure case. There might be better filters but i have not seen one.

project C4

the fram hp4 is the real deal. i used to use them myself. they are nothing like the junk passenger car filters.

JrRifleCoach

We will see, when the can is opened.

ChrisWhewell

No new tech. It is marketing - they give you fewer ounces of pretzels in the bag and charge the same 50 cents, due to inflation of the paper "money", the company effectively gets the same money for less product. Look at the size of a "kleenex" tissue, they got smaller about two years ago even thought the box is the same size, they just fold them different. You get less paper for the same money. You can see this in lots of products.

Then, after a couple years go by, they will label the product as "super size" and give you more product, but the price goes up dramatically but you think its ok b/c you're now getting more.

Same with oil filters, they make them smaller so they need less material to manufacture them, and charge you the same money.

ChrisWhewell

yep.

project C4

good luck getting the can open. if they are like they used to be your gonna need a chop saw. hehehehe...just kidding,but they are damn thick.