C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Oil filter dissection

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 15, 2021 | 06:57 PM
  #1  
rhandle's Avatar
rhandle
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 49
From: West Palm Beach,Florida
Default Oil filter dissection

For the hell of it . I recently opened the oil filter from my 96 LT4. It had 4k miles on it. THE FILTER PAPER WAS SPOTLESS. So here is my question and please no one attack me. What is the reason we change filters so often? I am not asking from the mizer's point of view. I know in some other countries ,oil is siphoned out and if the engine is equipped with a top mounted filter ,it is simply changed. Changing the oil every 3-5 k miles in a vette is at least 100 dol each time . If i was able to siphon out my oil every 3k miles but only change the filter every 6k or even 12k, does anyone see any harm in that. BTW,witnessing someone crushed under a car,I Developed a phobia to working below them. THANKS FOR YOUR OPINIONS
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2021 | 07:27 PM
  #2  
craig argiro's Avatar
craig argiro
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 16
Default 1987 Chevy Corvette

Hello, I change the oil and filter often in my Corvette and my wife's new car 2020 Chevy Spark. It saves money and many oil change shops never check the fluid levels. I know a guy that just changed the oil and not the oil filter and it never harmed the engine. I think that he didn't have too many tools but he changed the oil very early all the time. He drives a Chevy Impala with 200,000 miles runs good. The oil filter traps dirt inside the engine but I have heard stories where some people only change the oil. I know a relative that drives a Toyota and takes the car in only once a year for an oil change and drives 10,000 miles or more a year. I wouldn't ever do that to my cars! I got a picture of my Corvette that I rebuilt the engine this year runs strong!


​​​​​
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2021 | 12:39 AM
  #3  
gerardvg's Avatar
gerardvg
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Default

Originally Posted by rhandle
For the hell of it . I recently opened the oil filter from my 96 LT4. It had 4k miles on it. THE FILTER PAPER WAS SPOTLESS. So here is my question and please no one attack me. What is the reason we change filters so often? I am not asking from the mizer's point of view. I know in some other countries ,oil is siphoned out and if the engine is equipped with a top mounted filter ,it is simply changed. Changing the oil every 3-5 k miles in a vette is at least 100 dol each time . If i was able to siphon out my oil every 3k miles but only change the filter every 6k or even 12k, does anyone see any harm in that. BTW,witnessing someone crushed under a car,I Developed a phobia to working below them. THANKS FOR YOUR OPINIONS
Hi
Cheap insurance, regular oil and filter changes will extend the life of the engine.

Yes I know modern cars and long service intervals, just remember most ordinary cars are a throw away item. Run into the ground and get them crushed.
Such a waste i believe they do this in japan, drive a new car don't get it serviced and buy a new car when it fails.

My car was always regularly serviced, when the old 170,000 mile engine came out for a fresh 383 build she was very clean. Bearings like new could have done another 170k with just new rings.

That is why we service them regularly, er yes i have had a car fall on me. Has only made me put a wheel under car as well as good stands, to be sure.

Oh I would recommend a 10w or 15w oil, I hated how the 5w oil looks like water coming out hot.
how can 5w oil keep between the metal and bearings in a hot engine at high rpm ....
I can understand its for fuel efficiency, but i went back to 15w40 makes the engine sound a lot quieter than the 5w10 oil.

Last edited by gerardvg; Jan 16, 2021 at 12:46 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2021 | 07:50 AM
  #4  
mskc3's Avatar
mskc3
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 252
Likes: 83
From: State Of No Return
Default

Personally, I just couldn't change the oil and leave the existing filter.....I'm sure many people do, but I have yet to do it, and I'm too old to start now, but hey that's just me....

Do whatever you want, it's YOUR CAR!!!

Reply
Old Jan 16, 2021 | 08:15 AM
  #5  
jmeyer58's Avatar
jmeyer58
Pro
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 355
From: Mt Prospect IL
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Not quite sure where you are getting your oil and filter from, I buy Mobil1 at Walmart on sale for $21 (5qt jug) and a $6 filter. I use quick jacks to raise the car now but before I used a floor jack and jack stands. When correctly placed they are as safe as can be. Spend the $76 you saved on your first oil change on a good set of jack stands and enjoy an weekend morning with your car changing the oil and wiping down the underside. It’s also a good way to spot problems before they leave you stranded somewhere.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2021 | 07:09 PM
  #6  
ghlkal's Avatar
ghlkal
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 1,223
From: Fredonia WI
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
Default

There's no reason a good filter can't last 8-10K miles. And the same goes for modern synthetic oil.

While our 30+ year old engines are not the same as current tech, many current manufactures call for "extended" change intervals. The old 3K oil & filter change doesn't apply. My DOHC twin-turbo V8 in my MB calls for oil and filter change at 10K miles, and that's what I do. I change the oil & filter in my ZR-1's LT5 about every 7K miles.

Of course YMMV.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2021 | 10:14 AM
  #7  
InfomanSS's Avatar
InfomanSS
Racer
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 86
From: Northeast Ohio
Default

Be thankful that the filter paper was spotless. This could change depending on how you operate the engine. The service intervals are set "in general"...depending on how one operates a vehicle, the interval may need to be shortened or it could be extended.

Oil changes costing "at least 100 dol"...that seems excessive...maybe shop around for a better price.

Some options available to you if you want to do it yourself:
- Switch to a long-life filter (have a pro install it if you don't want to go under the car) and change the oil from the top yourself with a pump (maybe something like this one https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w54170 ). You would still have to have a pro change the filter at some point, but the interval for this could be extended.
- Relocate the filter and you won't have to go under the vehicle (have a pro install it if you don't want to go under) and you can change the oil from the top. Some options for filter relocation kits: https://www.summitracing.com/search/...odel/corvette? Space in the Corvette engine bay is precious, but there's probably a spot for a filter. :-)
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2021 | 06:40 PM
  #8  
DGXR's Avatar
DGXR
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
Default

You can reuse oil filters with low mileage -- do not take them off and pour out the oil then reinstall, just leave them on the engine. Many manufacturers specify using an oil filter for 2 service intervals but no more. If you are going several years on the same filter, you need to mind its construction. Not all filters are created the same and not all filters will perform well over several years' time. Synthetic media with wire backing (or similar construction) will filter great and last the longest time. I'm planning to go 2 or more service intervals on some Fram Ultra (Fram pro synthetic, same thing).
About safely working under a vehicle, just give it a solid push with your hand (or hip/buttocks) on all four corners and ensure it is stable before getting underneath. Do not get under a vehicle supported by the jack alone. Use good stands rated for the load, in good condition. No worries.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 19, 2021 | 07:33 PM
  #9  
craig argiro's Avatar
craig argiro
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 16
Default 1987 Chevy Corvette

Hello, I like K&N oil filters and I compared Fram oil filters with K&N and the K&N oil filter increased my oil pressure by 5 psi. You will notice that K&N has a resin material not paper better flow I believe. I have some friends that wash this filter and reuse them too. They cost more and you can remove them with a 1 inch wrench or socket.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2021 | 07:45 PM
  #10  
mskc3's Avatar
mskc3
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 252
Likes: 83
From: State Of No Return
Default

A new Mobil 1 synthetic oi filter is like $10-$12.....I really don't get the incentive to re-use such an inexpensive part.....but, hey it's your car...do what ya want.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Oil filter dissection





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:56 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE