The mission is to find the best filter at the best price by examining the internals for quality of construction and materials.
Then you can decide which brand is best for your wallet.

The baseline filter I'm thinking of is for the SBC L98 engine.
Lots of choices out there. Seems the choice between shortys and standard is to be determined.



Donated by JrRifleCoach
4" Wix 51060 $7.71 4.0" x 84.5" = 338 sq in. Can Thickness .011"
4" Fram PH5 $3.77 3.85" x 50" = 192.5 sq in. Can Thickness .011"
3" Purolator L34631 $3.27 3.0" x 93.5' = 280.5 sq in. Can Thickness .011"
3" Fram TG30 $6.99 3.0 x 64.5 = 193.5 sq in. Can Thickness .010"
3" Fram PH30 $3.77 3.0" x 50.0" = 150 sq in. Can Thickness .010"
3" Napa Gold 1069 $6.19 3.0" x 87.5" = 262.5 sq in. Can Thickness .011"
2" STP S9973 $3.59 2.1 x 84.5 = 177.5 sq in. Can Thickness .011"
2" Bosch 3322 $6.99 1.75 x 97.5 = 170.6 sq in. Can Thickness .011"
2" Mobil M1-111 $12.99 1.95" x 83.0" = 161.85 sq in. Can Thickness .011"

Donated by Kubs
3" Wix 51069 $0.00 3.0" x 87.5" = 262.5 sq in. Can Thickness .010"
4" Wix 51060R $0.00 3.75" x 62.5" = 234.4 sq in. Can Thickness .016"
2" Amsoil EA059 2.0' x 61.0" = 122 sq in. Can Thickness .011"


Notes
Three different height filters 4", 3" & 2" All referenced as the fit for the 86.

The observed quality of components and construction is apparent.
See what your paying for and how it stacks up against the competition.

 

The Wix 51060 and Fram PH5



After removing a section of filter media for measurement
NOTE: The inner tube was securly fastened on the Wix.
The Fram tube was lightly glued to the cardboard end caps and fell apart in my hands.



Media Surface Area
Wix 4.0" x 84.5" = 338 sq in. Fram 3.85" x 50" = 192.5 sq in.

 

Fram PH5 and Purolator L34631



Fram 3.0" x 50.0" = 150 sq in. Purolator 3.0" x 93.5' = 280.5 sq in.

 

Mobil1 M1-111 and Amsoil Ea059



Mobil1 1.95" x 83.0" = 161.85 sq in. Amsoil 2.0' x 61.0" = 122 sq in.



The Amsoil filter media was very different form the others. First the use of metal screening. I'm guessing this is added to support the filter media. Second the actual media which is rather thick and "fluffy" like soft paper. Such a small filter and surface area. Not what I'd consider useful for hi volume/flo applications.

 

As expected the NAPA Gold and the WIX are identical.

 

The differences between the "R" and standard duty filter prove WIX's priority to build a solid racing product. The can is thicker as is the base and the flange to hold the rubber seal. The filter is shorter by 1/4" to accommodate a much heavier spring.

 

Opening the last two filters of the group revealed another surprise in construction. STP's filter caps were constructed from a heavy guage synthetic fibre that is bonded to the filter media. And the center support tube is a polymer basket construction. The Bosch exposed what we've seen so far as conventional construction. Nothing out of the ordinary that would suggest it as an inferior product.





Sad but not surprised the 3x to 6X Tough Gard upgrade filter only contained a few extra folds of filter media.

 

Just a bit of spare time to condense the previous thread.
And some requests for an easy show and tell thread prompted me to rebuild.

 

Great comparison thread!! Thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

Many thanks for your donations.

On to my next project........ any one have a spare shock dyno laying around?

 

Found this pic in a recent email.

It's a very impressive array of filters, just not sure if the fitment is for one engine.
If you look closely the AC Delco filter has the same plastic basket center as does the STP and Super Tech (WalMart?) Yikes?!?

 

Bummer.....

 

Nice work there JR
I know I flaked on sending mine out ergh...



Watch the whole thing


=

 

Looks like Fram is just another four letter "F" word in his book!

 

Bump for those....

 

Nice comparo!

The most media is not the only key factor; many filters go into filter bypass mode if the media creates too much flow resistance...self defeating.

Nearly certain I killed the camshaft on a bike once using a Bosch über filter where the engine and filter combo had limited or no bypass capability.

 

This site shows the construction of a bunch of oil filters and who actually makes the various brands available:

http://www.minimopar.net/oilfilters/reference.html

 

Just wanna say thanks for the effort put into this. I absolutely love these types of posts, very well done. Thanks.

 

Nice bump Cliff.

 

I'd like to see a cutaway of the Fram Ultra. It's supposed to be one of the best.