Which oil filter is the best?
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Teching In
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Windy City
Which oil filter is the best? I am looking at oil filters and I was looking at the Donaldson brand of oil filters, are they good? Which are the best? Not air filters but oil filters.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: SD,California
Re: Which oil filter is the best? A good brand to look at is Amsoil. They are the pioneers of synthetic oil and oil filtration. My uncle is a Master mechanic and he swears by Amsoil products. He wouldn't even think of putting any of that crappy Mobil 1 stuff in any of his engines. He has finally persuaded me to put Amsoil oil and filters in and on my car. Good luck with your search.
Kev
Kev
On The Tree
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From: Denver
Re: Which oil filter is the best? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JTM:
<strong> Mobil 1 filter, $12. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">From all the tests and opinions I have seen, Mobile 1 should not be used. It filters very well, so well in fact that it severely reduces the oil flow. K&N seems to be liked by everyone.
<strong> Mobil 1 filter, $12. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">From all the tests and opinions I have seen, Mobile 1 should not be used. It filters very well, so well in fact that it severely reduces the oil flow. K&N seems to be liked by everyone.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: SW Florida
Re: Which oil filter is the best? Use the genuine GM parts.
AC Delco PF-58 or PF-59 will get you the same filter as your stock PF-44 except longer (more filter media)
Stay away from FRAM. Cheaply made.
AC Delco PF-58 or PF-59 will get you the same filter as your stock PF-44 except longer (more filter media)
Stay away from FRAM. Cheaply made.
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Re: Which oil filter is the best? I am wondering this as well, since I am looking into installing an oil cooler; I could go to a remote filter at the same time (read: I would no longe be restricted to oil filters that will fit onto the motor/not hang down too much; would also get the oil filter away from the headers).
I am considering a re-usable/canister filter at the moment; the two that I am looking at right now:
http://www.cmfilters.com/
http://216.149.59.51/ (System 1)
I am leaning towards the CM pieces at the moment, because of the 8 micron claim. However, I will need to call them tomorrow to see if they have flow ratings on their filters; all they say on the site is "CM elements filter out particles down to 8 microns, half the size of what the average spin-on filter does and has a flow rate even when contaminated, that is far greater than that required by any automotive application," and "When the normal operating oil pressure has decreased 4 lbs. to 5 lbs. the filter should be changed."
Conversely, the System 1 pieces offer flow ratings, a 60 micron claim, and a re-usable element.
I am considering a re-usable/canister filter at the moment; the two that I am looking at right now:
http://www.cmfilters.com/
http://216.149.59.51/ (System 1)
I am leaning towards the CM pieces at the moment, because of the 8 micron claim. However, I will need to call them tomorrow to see if they have flow ratings on their filters; all they say on the site is "CM elements filter out particles down to 8 microns, half the size of what the average spin-on filter does and has a flow rate even when contaminated, that is far greater than that required by any automotive application," and "When the normal operating oil pressure has decreased 4 lbs. to 5 lbs. the filter should be changed."
Conversely, the System 1 pieces offer flow ratings, a 60 micron claim, and a re-usable element.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Central FL
Re: Which oil filter is the best? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 98 LPE SS:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JTM:
<strong> Mobil 1 filter, $12. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">From all the tests and opinions I have seen, Mobile 1 should not be used. It filters very well, so well in fact that it severely reduces the oil flow. K&N seems to be liked by everyone. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Would that explain why I haven't seen my oil pressure drop below 60 psi since I went with an M1-107?
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JTM:
<strong> Mobil 1 filter, $12. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">From all the tests and opinions I have seen, Mobile 1 should not be used. It filters very well, so well in fact that it severely reduces the oil flow. K&N seems to be liked by everyone. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Would that explain why I haven't seen my oil pressure drop below 60 psi since I went with an M1-107?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Which oil filter is the best? First of all, you guys should check out this thread:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...c;f=6;t=000513
It's just the beginning stages of the test, with cold oil, but the hot oil portion is coming soon.
I personally think the K&Ns are one of the best filters out there, but a bit pricey. I am switching all my vehicles over to the Carquest premium filters, which are identical to Wix, NAPA Gold and Kralinator. They flow well, and don't cost an arm and a leg. The Walmart Supertech filters are also pretty good believe it or not, and only $2 each!
Whichever one you go with, be sure to use the longer version which cross references to the AC PF59. So that means a K&N HP2006, or in the Wix made filters, get the ones with the last three digits being 522.
The Amsoil filters are good also, but they are pricey and harder to find. I don't know anything about the Donaldsons.
I would avoid the Frams for sure due to quality issues (even though it flowed very well on Bob's testing), and don't care much for the Mobil 1 or PureONE due to flow restriction issues (although we'll see more when the hot oil portion of Bob's testing takes place)
Don't worry so much about finding a filter that takes out super small particles. Honestly, if you use a good air filter (not a K&N, which lets in too much dirt) and are running a quality oil, you won't have a lot of contamination in the oil to be trapped anyways, so oil flow is a more important feature in an oil filter than getting one which traps the tiniest of particles. Also keep in mind, the LS1 has large enough clearances that a 10 micron particle, or even a 15-20 micron particle, won't really do any damage, it'll just float harmlessly in the oil.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...c;f=6;t=000513
It's just the beginning stages of the test, with cold oil, but the hot oil portion is coming soon.
I personally think the K&Ns are one of the best filters out there, but a bit pricey. I am switching all my vehicles over to the Carquest premium filters, which are identical to Wix, NAPA Gold and Kralinator. They flow well, and don't cost an arm and a leg. The Walmart Supertech filters are also pretty good believe it or not, and only $2 each!
Whichever one you go with, be sure to use the longer version which cross references to the AC PF59. So that means a K&N HP2006, or in the Wix made filters, get the ones with the last three digits being 522.
The Amsoil filters are good also, but they are pricey and harder to find. I don't know anything about the Donaldsons.
I would avoid the Frams for sure due to quality issues (even though it flowed very well on Bob's testing), and don't care much for the Mobil 1 or PureONE due to flow restriction issues (although we'll see more when the hot oil portion of Bob's testing takes place)
Don't worry so much about finding a filter that takes out super small particles. Honestly, if you use a good air filter (not a K&N, which lets in too much dirt) and are running a quality oil, you won't have a lot of contamination in the oil to be trapped anyways, so oil flow is a more important feature in an oil filter than getting one which traps the tiniest of particles. Also keep in mind, the LS1 has large enough clearances that a 10 micron particle, or even a 15-20 micron particle, won't really do any damage, it'll just float harmlessly in the oil.
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Re: Which oil filter is the best? I feel like I went and got my big brother to beat up the neighborhood bully. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> Patman knows his sh*t! <img border="0" alt="[worship]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" />
