Official Oil Filter Comparison

[httrdd]

Ok I did this to a brand new filter for automotive science.

Breakdown: This thing is cheaply made. Cannot believe it has that cardboard element. It cut in half with no effort from a bandsaw. Lol. I will never buy one of these ever again.

FRAM Extra Gaurd

[d1giPhux]

Nice. Though, you shouldn't have chopped it in half. Next time try cutting up near the top or the bottom and pulling the filter out. I have one I could cut up, but might be pointless.. we get the point they are cheap

Good work!

[httrdd]

Thanks. I am going to buy the purolator tomorrow.

[Hocrest]

I know "tomorrow" was yesterday, but if you didn't get one yet...
http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showpos ... stcount=78

[Reason]

Theres a thread here about the 944 oil filter. I have a K&N filter but it doesnt fit with the UEL header.

[httrdd]

Thats great dave. I am getting my new filter tomorrow amd will have to look into that one. Is that size made by pure one purolator too?

[Hocrest]

I think so but they are not as well stocked as normal subie sizes. I know others have gotten the Bosch/Mobil 1 version.

[mlitz]

The following is a general build comparison between K&N, WIX, Parts Masters, Fram and Beck/Arnley.
To better know the quality and design of each filter I have dissembled each filter and documented the size of the filter
element itself and the components within. These filter’s where donated to me from Baxters Auto Parts for this research.

First this is how I measured each filter material.


Here are the five filters that I will be dissembling.


K&N - HP1004 - $10.99


Filter core components-
Stamp steel end caps
Integrated bottom bypass valve
2 ¾ Diameter
1 15/16 length
5 – ¼ Inlet Holes
1 9/32 outlet hole
Filter Element-
52 Pleats with a glued seam
½ pleat depth
51 ½ length * 1 5/8 wide = 83.6875 sq. or 83 11/16 sq.
Flat bottom / Round top o-ring
Steel plate spring
Center Support Tube-
1 5/8 Diameter
1 13/16 length




(below) This is the bypass valve


(below) This is the glued seam


(below) This is the Flat bottom / Round top o-ring


WIX – 51334 - $7.79


Filter core components-
Stamp steel end caps
Integrated top bypass valve
3 Diameter
1 3/8 length
8 – 7/32 Inlet Holes
1 ¼ outlet hole
Flat bottom / Flat top o-ring
Steel coil spring
Filter Element-
52 Pleats with a metal crimped seam
3/4 pleat depth
77 ½ length * 1 5/8 wide = 125.9375 sq. in. or 125 15/16 sq. in.
Center Support Tube-
1 3/8 Diameter
1 5/8 length




(Below) This is the Flat bottom / Flat top o-ring


(Below) This is the metal crimped seam (on a side note if you notice on this filter material is not evenly distributed)


Parts Master – 61334 - $2.99


Filter core components-
Stamp steel end caps
Integrated top bypass valve
2 11/16 Diameter
1 5/16 length
8 – 7/32 Inlet Holes
1 ¼ outlet hole
Flat bottom / Flat top o-ring
Steel coil spring
Filter Element-
43 Pleats with a metal crimped seam
3/8 pleat depth
48 length * 1 5/8 wide = 78 sq. in.
Center Support Tube-
1 15/32 Diameter
1 21/32 length




Fram - PH3593A - $4.49


Filter core components-
Paper end caps
Plastic bypass valve integrated in bottom spring
2 7/8 Diameter
2 3/8 length
12 – 1/8 Inlet Holes
1 3/8 outlet hole
Flat bottom / Flat top o-ring
Steel plate spring
Filter Element-
40 Pleats with a metal crimped seam
9/16 pleat depth
45 length * 2 1/8 wide = 95.625 sq. in. or 95 5/8 sq. in.
Center Support Tube-
1 13/32 Diameter
2 ½ length




Beck/Arnley - 041-8163 - $8.29


Filter core components-
Stamp steel end caps
Integrated bottom bypass valve
2 7/8 Diameter
2 1/8 length
6 –1/4 Inlet Holes
2 8/32 outlet hole
Round outside / Flat (thin) inside o-ring
Steel coil spring
Filter Element-
76 Pleats with a metal crimped seam
5/8 pleat depth
84 length * 1 5/8 wide = 136.5 sq. in. or 136 ½ sq. in.
Center Support Tube-
1 5/8 Diameter
2 length



(below) This is the Round outside / Flat (thin) inside o-ring


I don't want to tell you what the better filter is as I want this to be a unbiased comparison. I would rather you guys choose the filter you want to use after reading all this information.

[02_Legacy]

Cool, thanks for this, its hard to find a comparison like this where they are all for the same vehicle and it is unbiased.

Just to let you know I think you have a small error under the fram filter. You state that the filter element is 95.625 sq. in. or 125 5/8 sq. in. Just thought I would let you know.

[mlitz]

Thank you... fixed

[amgarrety]

Very nice writeup, but I'd like to see how people weigh in on this for people like me who don't really know what to make of the numbers. I mean, I think I have an idea, but I'm no expert.

Thanks for such a detailed comparison!

[jjay03]

That Beck Arnley filter looks nice they have quality parts. Should of took a pureONE filter apart they get good reviews. My engine shows it taking BA filter 041-8074. Im guessing all these filters are for the same engine?

[Bookem]

I forgot to share this you guys, new Wix filter with higher bypass pressure than the 51334/51365 (23 vs 8psi), here's the specs.
Part Number: 57712
UPC Number: 765809577121
Principal Application: Various Subaru (88-12)
All Applications
Style: Spin-On Lube Filter
Service: Lube
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper
Height: 2.577
Outer Diameter Top: 2.685
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed
Thread Size: 20X1.5 MM
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 23
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=2/20
Burst Pressure-PSI: 300
Max Flow Rate: 9-11 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating: 21
Gasket Diameters
Number O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.475 2.173 0.233