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Oil filter thoughts on new rebuilt engine.

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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 01:16 PM
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Default Oil filter thoughts on new rebuilt engine.

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a recommendation on an oil filter for my newly rebuilt motor. It's a Chevy BB 427 bored 0.070 over. It was built by a local race shop and dynoed at around 450hp. The builder (who has a really good reputation) wants me to run Mobil 1 15W-50 because of the way the clearances are set in engine. He also plugged the oil bypass in the block and installed high volume (not high pressure) oil pump. My oil pressure runs about 45psi at idle when warm and +60psi otherwise (pegged). He also recommend I run a Fram HP4 filter. I am looking for some other filter recommendations. It needs to be capable of high pressures. So far I have come up with Fram HP4, Wix 51060R, and Baldwin B279. I'm leaning towards the Wix just because of availability. The car sees only a 1000 miles a year and I change the oil once a year just before I stop driving it before winter.

Thanks.
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 04:27 PM
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I have heard bad things about fram, not sure how much faith to put in them, but the Wix is supposed to be really good. I'd put my money on Wix.
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff Farrar
Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a recommendation on an oil filter for my newly rebuilt motor. It's a Chevy BB 427 bored 0.070 over. It was built by a local race shop and dynoed at around 450hp. The builder (who has a really good reputation) wants me to run Mobil 1 15W-50 because of the way the clearances are set in engine. He also plugged the oil bypass in the block and installed high volume (not high pressure) oil pump. My oil pressure runs about 45psi at idle when warm and +60psi otherwise (pegged). He also recommend I run a Fram HP4 filter. I am looking for some other filter recommendations. It needs to be capable of high pressures. So far I have come up with Fram HP4, Wix 51060R, and Baldwin B279. I'm leaning towards the Wix just because of availability. The car sees only a 1000 miles a year and I change the oil once a year just before I stop driving it before winter.

Thanks.
Was the newly rebuilt engine broken in on synthetic oil? I was advised that dino oil should be used during breakin.

Who was the local race shop? I'm always looking for someone who knows engines.

I use Wix (NAPA gold) filters.
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 08:55 PM
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fram is bad. mostly fram doesnt have alot of filter surface area.

and napa gold is WIX which is good.

it seems like were all on the same page.

but i realized today that fram is made by honeywell. which is a large very legitimate company that makes alot stuff.... weird.
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Old Sep 3, 2005 | 01:58 AM
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napa is a wix isn't the HP4 a better filter than the standard Fram crap ????
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Old Sep 3, 2005 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeff Farrar
He also plugged the oil bypass in the block and installed high volume (not high pressure) oil pump. My oil pressure runs about 45psi at idle when warm and +60psi otherwise (pegged)...

It needs to be capable of high pressures.
Actually, it doesn't. Since you didn't use a high pressure pump, the relief valve will dump the excess oil pressure.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Sep 3, 2005 | 02:18 PM
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Just about all HV pumps have the Hp spring in them. From pressures you indicate, I'm sure there is something like a Melling HV pump in there. It is also sold under Elgin, Milodon, TRW and just about everyone elses name. There a few import ones, but Melling makes good stuff.

I use the Fram HP4 with a blocked bypass with no issues on my 540 using oil weights up to and including 20/50w. It is easily available around my home and I know of no issues. Frankly I've read all the stories and I've never had an issue with a regular Fram either. Maybe dumb luck.

Any of the high flow filters are going to have less filtration ability by design, but they are fine for what we are doing. Your oil is not going to get nasty in your play cars and you are filtering 100% of it as opposed to allowing it to bypass most of the time as stock.

JIM
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Old Sep 8, 2005 | 10:27 PM
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Default R U sure he said run Fram? I don't believe it...

I've seen two motors that had to be built because Fram filter elements colapsed and blocked the oil. You have absolutely got to be kidding! He said USE Fram. That builder is suspect if this guy said Fram. I don't know what the F4 is, but it is common knowledge that Fram is the cheap option, and cheap for a reason. Most builders have rebuilt a motor because of a colapsed oil filter, and unquestionably Fram is the frequent abuser.
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 01:25 AM
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Use a good filter with a synthetic fiber element it will hold more contaminants and flow more oil. I know Amsoil and possibly Mobil filters are this type. I believe Amsoil filters are produced by Baldwin I am not sure about Mobil. Hasting filters are also very good filters probably one of the best filters made as far as pressure loads.

Neal
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 10:14 PM
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The HP 4 is a completely different than normal Fram filter. Made out of much thicker metal, killer gasket etc.

As I said, I've been at this professionally for many years and I've yet to see even a cheap Fram fail....but that doesn't mean they don't. As I said...just lucky I guess.

There are only a few MFG's out there who either relabel or mfg to spec for different folks. The WIX brand is sold under many names and is a good piece. Fram keeps Wal Mart supplied.

I usually look for larger holes feeding the filters. I've used A/C's too, but frankly I prefer more than the 5 small holes they have.

There are the Moroso race filters..not sure who makes them.

Just make sure you get one with a good gasket and a thick shell to prevent issues with cold starts. Take a look at the gasket on the HP4 and compare to some of the others.



JIM
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