Just what exactly is inside that oil filter?

[ippkiss]

Have you ever wanted to know just what is inside that oil filter? Well I picked up a oil filter cutting tool from summit so I'm going to be disecting different new oil filters to see just what's inside them.

First up:
Walmart Super Tech ST3614 application 1997 Lexus SC400 1uzfe

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/18/l_419418e672104398af9c0deb8898ec86.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/15/l_7e332d61cd48400b885edf197c3e532b.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/56/l_ef00be5f3c2d4875b1b90d0f9ac8e0bf.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/3/l_5020578885414c49bb49fd79e686f486.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/59/l_e5f9087a27bc42e4a4dd759e8cd654dd.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/37/l_5695de51cdb74ca08a37e59b567d9acd.jpg

Looks like even the cheap walmart filter does have an anti drain back valve. No mention of actual efficiency, just "2x national leading brand". Plastic internals on the filter material. No word on gasket material, but it does apear to be some type of rubber.

[Red1991TSI]

I've been using Wally world filters for the 6 years I've owned my DSM. I have heard that the Super Tech are better than Fram's filters but it's all internet opinion.

I've never disected an oil filter but I think it would be good to do from time to time for your own vehicle to detect any issues.

Good post!

[lazylaser]

Just about anything is better than a fram.

I use a purolator because one of my fathers hot rod style magazines dissected diffrent brands of filters and also did "tests" ,I don't remember what they were exactly. I do remember that Fram came in last and purolator was one of the better ones.

I would use supertech before I would use fram.

[tarantula]

Yeah Supertech is a better filter than Fram. Too bad I can't get the big 1G 3950 oil filter in Supertech. They only have the 2G 7317 for 1G and 2G application.

[Gamble]

I've heard napa gold makes some of the best oil filters. Can anyone confirm this?

[Red1991TSI]

Yeah Supertech is a better filter than Fram. Too bad I can't get the big 1G 3950 oil filter in Supertech. They only have the 2G 7317 for 1G and 2G application.

The big ones are all I've ever used. I still find the big ones from time to time. When I do, I usually buy them out.

[ippkiss]

I've heard napa gold makes some of the best oil filters. Can anyone confirm this?

I'll be sure its in my next round of purchases to take apart. :cool:

[aaronspeed]

I took a Purolator tour back in the 90's and at that time they had a wall with every private brand filter and at that time they made over 20 cutom labeled filters. I am sure they have grown since then.

[kronus]

How about Wix? My Subie lovin' uncle swears by him.

[lazylaser]

Ippkiss,
not to take away from your fun, but you have to check this out!

http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

This guy opens just about every oil filter out there and then writes up what he finds.

[swade]

Factory Honda's are suppose to be pretty good also. Not that, that can help with us, but just an idea.

swade

[tarantula]

The big ones are all I've ever used. I still find the big ones from time to time. When I do, I usually buy them out.
Serious? I looked up the part number for that brand at Walmart and its not even listed. It lists 7317 for 1G and 2G. If i find any I'm going to buy them out as well.

[tarantula]

The big ones are all I've ever used. I still find the big ones from time to time. When I do, I usually buy them out.
Serious? I looked up the part number for that brand at Walmart and its not even listed. It lists 7317 for 1G and 2G. If i find any I'm going to buy them out as well.

I may even think about the 3000GT vr4 filters.

[yellow90tsi]

Wix filters are way up there in this list of quality filters. Wix filters are also all carquest and napa gold filters.

[ippkiss]

Ippkiss,
not to take away from your fun, but you have to check this out!

http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

This guy opens just about every oil filter out there and then writes up what he finds.

Idea was to not infringe on anyone's copyright. :) I've got a Fram filter here wating to post up, and I'm going to go pick up some more today.

[ippkiss]

K&N Performance gold oil filter HP-1002 for 1997 Lexus SC400 1uzfe

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/62/l_cd251cc700214e00863272291a82ae73.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/45/l_1429f22d38ce4398bdf7124d66efd14a.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/36/l_011a90dc0fbf49f29163bf9524d523b4.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/13/l_c70fcbb9032048a9a9f157a716ec6d73.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/34/l_36a112befacd4f218ba0b4576162b689.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/60/l_438ad5d9780843908b515cfd81c91f33.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/41/l_fd8e2c548d8245cfb8ae978f6a6d9ffa.jpg

Looks like a rating of 90% efficient at 10-20 microns & larger. Does have a drain back valve and a bypass assembly. Full metal internal construction on the filter element (besides the filter media).

[Gamble]

After the napa gold you should crack open a oem mitsu eclipse filter. See if they are that great.

[ippkiss]

Mobile One M1-102 Lexus SC 400 1UZFE

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/42/l_39042b5ca99f4090bf840c4f8d482a3b.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/25/l_5219ee1328424c0eaec06a8a3ae9f066.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/57/l_8f67bab009f049c7aae5bd8d4f43fbbe.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/15/l_cf481957a61c453f915d455f87e58f6f.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/38/l_445115fbe1024379a73358e3bf72b7fe.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/11/l_03c03420495e4067aac9caa60b11d22c.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/10/l_f5b16449d3d7453dbfddae00aa20f522.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/41/l_b2edca7e4fd94bc0b81dcb539ce0b53b.jpg


Funny thing about this filter, it looked EXACTLY the same inside as the K&N filter, all the same parts, the filter media was even the same color. Rated 99.2% efficiency but not at what micron level. It also lists this as multi-pass so no idea on single pass. Full metal end caps on the on filter media, with a peferated metal core. Actual spring loaded bypass valve. So far, this and the K&N (since they're the same) tie for the filter I would put on my car if I couldn't get an AMSOIL filter for the app, or was in pinch.

[magna]

Factory Honda's are suppose to be pretty good also. Not that, that can help with us, but just an idea.

swade


They are made by Fram.
Hamp (green filter) are the better ones.

[ippkiss]

The AMSOIL EaO57 oil filter for 1997 SC 400 1uzfe

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/39/l_a179253028ef461a85cacea94fdee972.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/15/l_95a548037fdf405687ed69be7300872a.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/42/l_9c20ac7273724e2499c1bfb129855f3e.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/39/l_3f90a4d9b576465190dd890b1ba88076.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/61/l_9496c520c7154c2f87787fde3f626842.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/46/l_8ce8fdebb7f74fd289c000eb3743472f.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/18/l_c4d453733ba04a898fa5f5fc6c73e579.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/35/l_6198c0dfabe148aeab333a88a2f6c415.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/56/l_c694b75256854af7a78b23075b26fe03.jpg

As you can see, its a nice filter on the inside. Full metal construction for the filter element (besides the filter media). Silicone Anti drain back valve that stays flexible in extreme temperature. HNBR gasket on the base for long life and a great seal. Hardcore Bypass valve assembly. Wire backed full synthetic media has high efficiency and good life. Rated 98.7 % efficient at 15 microns.

[dehlak]

Just for the record, I worked at Napa, Napa filters are made by Wix. I was told that they are some of the best, I don't doubt it nor do I think it was a bias opinion because they never said it was the best. Would be nice to know for sure what the best filter is and why though.