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The UPF-44 was simply overated. The PF-44 is fine and will do the job. I think it's pretty bad when AC/Delco was trying to imply that the regular PF-44 doesn't do the job as well. Of course not...the UPF-44 was just another gimmick to charge a bit more for the same thing. Smart consumers caught on and didn't fall for it...so bye, bye UPF-44!
That is totally not true about the UPF filters being overrated! There is a big difference between them and the regular Duraguards. The regular Duraguards are rated at 98% efficient at 25 microns, while the Ultraguards are 98% efficient at 8-10 microns. The Duraguards are made of a paper filtering media, and have a burst strength of about 150psi, while the Ultraguards are made of a fully synthetic media and have a burst strength well over 500psi.
Don't get me wrong, the regular Delco filters are very good, probably the best filters in the $3 range, but there is a big difference in comparison to the premium filter.
The reason why they are killing it is most likely poor sales, but that's AC Delcos fault since they chose to only sell them in a few select places. If they had allowed all the auto parts stores, Kmart, Walmart, etc, to sell them alongside the Duraguards, they would've easily sold more of them.
The UPF-44 was simply overated. The PF-44 is fine and will do the job. I think it's pretty bad when AC/Delco was trying to imply that the regular PF-44 doesn't do the job as well. Of course not...the UPF-44 was just another gimmick to charge a bit more for the same thing. Smart consumers caught on and didn't fall for it...so bye, bye UPF-44!
I'm sorry but you have NO idea what you are talking about. There have been a few 3rd party tests done on this filter and it always comes on top. The "regular" delco filters are rated very high as well but when you have 95% + efficiency in the 8 to 10 micron range you are really doing your engine a big favor to protect it against wear. Approx 60% less wear is what I have read.
What I would be interested in, and I have not seen to date, is some data on the alternatives to the UPF44. Things like single pass filtering results, pressure drop across filter media, etc. would be useful information in evaluating a replacement filter.
The Mobil 1 oil filter is very close in efficiency to the Ultraguard Gold, it's what I used on my 98 Formula up until the Ultraguards came out. The Mobil 1 filter has a 98% single pass efficiency at 10 microns and it has a multipass efficiency of 95%. It's an extremely strong filter too, when you pick it up you can feel it's very heavy, and rumor has it that if you throw it against a brick wall it will not dent. The Mobil 1 filter that cross references to the UPF44 is the M1-107. I used the longer M1-206 on my Formula though, as I feel the stock sized filter is much too small for an engine with such a large oil capacity.
I have emailed AC Delco with my disapointment and concern over discontinueing the Gold UPF44 Oil Filter. :sad:
This is what I sent:
Dear Sir:
I purchased my 01 Corvette in April of this year.
I have changed the oil twice and used the Gold UPF44 Oil Filter both times.
I am very disappointed that AC Delco is discontinuing this filter.
I saw my oil pressure rise 5 to 8 pounds after I installed the Gold UPF44 Oil Filter.
The participates in CorvetteForum.com have been very pleased with the performance of the filter.
Please either continue manufacturing the UPF44 Oil Filter or give the Corvette C5 community a chance
to make a last time purchase.
Please inform me when AC Delco makes the final decision.
I did my part, I E-Mailed AC Delco. I really don't think they care one way or the other about the Ultragold filters going Bye Bye because the Chevy dealers never sold them anyway. I have been to at least 10 dealers here in Florida and none of the dealers have them in stock. Of course when they do A C-5 oil change I'll bet they charge the UPF44 price for the PF44 they put on the car. It won't be long before we will not be able to purchase High Quality Anything at all here in America due to Corporate Greed. But we will pay High Quality prices. Downsizing Sucks. :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad
LPE recomends the upf-44,I have a small stash,when I run out it's going to be the K&N for me.I change oil and filter every 3500-4500 miles and I hope with frquent changes our motors should last long. David S.
I sent an e-mail to AC Delco, here is their reply:
Thank you for contacting ACDelco.
We have forwarded your concern to our Marketing Department for further review. There is still stock
on this filter, you can order them from your local GM dealership as long as supplies last.
Thank you for your interest in ACDelco.
ACDelco Customer Assistance
Original message follows:
-------------------------
AC Delco:
Wow, I was sorry to hear you've discontinued the UPF44.
I've been using them for the last year and a half on
my 2000 Corvette. I've used 5 in that time span.
Please reconsider.
Jim Eakin
I got the same reply, but have not heard a word from the AC Delco Marketing Department. :rolleyes:
The AC Delco Marketing Department probably made the decision to discontinue the Gold filters, and they will never acknowledge the mistake. :mad
If they were a good marketing department they would have informed the customers, before the Gold filters were discontinued.
If they were a good marketing department they would have informed the customers, before the Gold filters were discontinued.
If they were good at marketing, they would have sold them in other stores then Pep Boys. Our local Pep Boys is a dump and the only reason I went in there was for this filter. Guess I have no reason to return now :rolleyes:
Guys, it's not the end of the world. We'll all find another REALLY good filter, in the meantime we can use just a good filter, the Mobil 1. There's more important things to stress about. :D :cheers: :chevy