Best oil filter.....
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Race Director
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Best oil filter.....
I transplanted a "built" LS7 into my 2000 C5, but retained the "Batwing" oil pan, as I didnt want the dry sump. But since the engine is considerably larger than the LS1, I'm looking for recommendations as to the best quality oil filter that fits the Batwing. Not sure, but I don't think any of the LS7 oil filters would screw on, or may have other fitment issues. I'm hearing Wix is a good one, and hearing Fram is no longer the quality it once was. Confusing!! Anyone care to chime in? Thanks.....
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Wix or Napa Gold (Wix).
Melting Slicks
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Mobil1 or Wix.
Can't really speak to the quality of Fram. I remember some old studies that did not paint Fram in a good light but if I remember correctly these were from about 10-15 years ago so I can't refer to those as meaning too much now.
Can't really speak to the quality of Fram. I remember some old studies that did not paint Fram in a good light but if I remember correctly these were from about 10-15 years ago so I can't refer to those as meaning too much now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Miami FL
Fram's Ultra Synthetic line is in a total different league compared to the rest of their lineup:- Metal endcaps
- Dual layer synthetic media
- Wire mesh reinforcement as a 3rd layer behind media
- Silicone anti-drainback valve
- Thicker canister
- Up to 20,000 miles with synthetic oils
- Made in the USA
Check this out for more details.
Take a look at this video showing one of them after 10000 miles in a car:
I have gone to Bosch Distance Plus for every vehicle. For the C5, D3332. I have been very pleased with quality and performance. Oil has a cleaner appearance when time to change.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,256
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From: Pennsylvania
bigger is not better. It takes time for oil pressure to fill that remote system and gigantic filter. The time it takes to build oil pressure is where the most engine wear occurs. Plus there is no evidence that supports the need for a larger filter. Buy a quality filter and change it on time and you will be fine. There is no evidence that any one premium filter will do your engine any better than the others.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2015
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Fram's Ultra Synthetic line is in a total different league compared to the rest of their lineup:- Metal endcaps
- Dual layer synthetic media
- Wire mesh reinforcement as a 3rd layer behind media
- Silicone anti-drainback valve
- Thicker canister
- Up to 20,000 miles with synthetic oils
- Made in the USA
Check this out for more details.
Take a look at this video showing one of them after 10000 miles in a car:
This is the Fram I've been using and another option is the Napa Platinum filter....very similar for those that are afraid of the four letter word....FRAM, lol. If my memory serves me right, Amsoil was the first to use the synthetic nano filtration media for consumers. I'm guessing Donaldson came up with the filter media first and either builds them for Amsoil or licensed the design to them. The key to a good filter is not only filtering but minimal drop in oil pressure. Very few of us will ever put enough miles on our Vettes to really be able to show if an oil filter cut into motor longevity. There are a lot of cars with over 200k on the odometer running the el-cheapo $3.77 Fram filter bought down at Walmart.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,256
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From: Pennsylvania
This is the Fram I've been using and another option is the Napa Platinum filter....very similar for those that are afraid of the four letter word....FRAM, lol. If my memory serves me right, Amsoil was the first to use the synthetic nano filtration media for consumers. I'm guessing Donaldson came up with the filter media first and either builds them for Amsoil or licensed the design to them. The key to a good filter is not only filtering but minimal drop in oil pressure. Very few of us will ever put enough miles on our Vettes to really be able to show if an oil filter cut into motor longevity. There are a lot of cars with over 200k on the odometer running the el-cheapo $3.77 Fram filter bought down at Walmart.
my my point exactly there is no evidence that any oil filter will increase engine life or reduce engine wear. The key is regularly maintaining your vehicle. There are many non automotive engines out there that work in dirtier environments that have no oil filter and operate just fine. With the quality of the material in these engines and the oils we use today these engines may run just as long if they did not have a filter. Honestly after breaking the engine in there is no real metallic debris in the engine and carbon is smaller than the filter can capture.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
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From: North Georgia, USA
Both are excellent and more than "good enough."
CarQuest blue filters are also the same as the Wix Gold and Napa Gold.
If you want to go a little higher, Wix has the XP and Napa sells that one as Platinum.
Mobile 1 is made by Champion Labs, and so is the K&N. I think some of the Bosch filters sold in the USA are also made by Champion Labs, IIRC. Those are all good products as well.
Look at filtration specs and flow rates. Flow rate is especially important and the AC-Delco original filters actually won't flow as much oil as the oil pump will pump on most LS series engines. This means the by-pass valve actually does open and allow unfiltered oil to the bearings at higher RPMs. That doesn't occur with the better filters I've mentioned. All of those are capable of flowing far more filtered oil than the capacity of the stock oil pump (and even more than most "high volume" pumps).
CarQuest blue filters are also the same as the Wix Gold and Napa Gold.
If you want to go a little higher, Wix has the XP and Napa sells that one as Platinum.
Mobile 1 is made by Champion Labs, and so is the K&N. I think some of the Bosch filters sold in the USA are also made by Champion Labs, IIRC. Those are all good products as well.
Look at filtration specs and flow rates. Flow rate is especially important and the AC-Delco original filters actually won't flow as much oil as the oil pump will pump on most LS series engines. This means the by-pass valve actually does open and allow unfiltered oil to the bearings at higher RPMs. That doesn't occur with the better filters I've mentioned. All of those are capable of flowing far more filtered oil than the capacity of the stock oil pump (and even more than most "high volume" pumps).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
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From: Olathe Kansas
I have always been a wix fan.. The 51042 is what i've run for years ..
But now Wix has the XP line of filters designed for synthetic oils. So in all my apps that
use synth oil, I've switched over the the XP.. So my vette (and friends' vettes) get the 51042XP
But now Wix has the XP line of filters designed for synthetic oils. So in all my apps that
use synth oil, I've switched over the the XP.. So my vette (and friends' vettes) get the 51042XP
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
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From: Bay Area CA
Wix XP are excellent filters.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 717
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From: Pleasanton CA
I transplanted a "built" LS7 into my 2000 C5, but retained the "Batwing" oil pan, as I didnt want the dry sump. But since the engine is considerably larger than the LS1, I'm looking for recommendations as to the best quality oil filter that fits the Batwing. Not sure, but I don't think any of the LS7 oil filters would screw on, or may have other fitment issues. I'm hearing Wix is a good one, and hearing Fram is no longer the quality it once was. Confusing!! Anyone care to chime in? Thanks.....
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
AC Delco filters generally are good for filtration, but very limited capacity for flow rate. They nearly always cause the engine to open the bypass valve at higher RPMs. The stock oil pump flows around 6.5 to 7.0 gpm at 6000 RPMs, and over 5.0 GPM at 2500 RPMs. The AC-Delco PF46E filter is rated to flow only 3 gpm.
That's why I recommend Wix filters. The 51042 and 51042XP filters both flow in the 9 to 11 gpm range, which is more than adequate for full filtration in any LS-x engine at any attainable engine speed with stock(ish) oil pump.
In the later engines in the C7s, GM and AC-Delco moved the bypass valve into the filter itself, and there's always discussions in the C7 tech area about which filter with which bypass pressure setting to use. The truth is, bypass valve setting is really only an issue with AC-Delco filters. If you use a filter that is adequate for the oil flow from the oil pump, you never need to worry about the bypass valve (unless you never change your oil and filter and your filter becomes clogged).
That's why I recommend Wix filters. The 51042 and 51042XP filters both flow in the 9 to 11 gpm range, which is more than adequate for full filtration in any LS-x engine at any attainable engine speed with stock(ish) oil pump.
In the later engines in the C7s, GM and AC-Delco moved the bypass valve into the filter itself, and there's always discussions in the C7 tech area about which filter with which bypass pressure setting to use. The truth is, bypass valve setting is really only an issue with AC-Delco filters. If you use a filter that is adequate for the oil flow from the oil pump, you never need to worry about the bypass valve (unless you never change your oil and filter and your filter becomes clogged).