ACDelco UPF48R Filter

[The Critic]

Does anyone know if Champs/First Brands is still the current supplier for the UPF48R?

I just ordered 2 for my Ram due to the $1.50 rebate promo and would like to get some efficiency numbers for my curiosity.

 

[Donald]

You are asking about a moving target. Contracts end, suppliers change, or not.

ACDelco is large enough to have the filter manufactured to their own specs. So they should be the ones you can ask about efficiency. If you are super concerned with efficiently then only a bypass filter will be the solution.

Using an ACDelco like other quality filters will get you a long life from the engine. Whatever the efficiency number is.

 

[Snagglefoot]

To the OP, can you give us a photo of the end of the filter showing the holes in the top? There is one design that is definitely a “ trademark” of a Champ filter but there might be other versions made under the First Brands and Champ banner. If it looks like this it is definitely made by Champion Labs. ( Champ).

 

[bullwinkle]

They were Champ-but with the move away from the Ultraguard full synthetic media to a more pedestrian synthetic blend, and changing the silicone ADBV to nitrile, the UPF filters are not what they once were. Other than metal end caps, and an allegedly higher burst pressure, they're not really worth the $12-14 they cost. A Champ XL would be just as good for 1/2-2/3 the cost.

 

[The Critic]

They were Champ-but with the move away from the Ultraguard full synthetic media to a more pedestrian synthetic blend, and changing the silicone ADBV to nitrile, the UPF filters are not what they once were. Other than metal end caps, and an allegedly higher burst pressure, they're not really worth the $12-14 they cost. A Champ XL would be just as good for 1/2-2/3 the cost.

I paid $5.50-$6/filter after rebate. They happened to ship from the same warehouse as the rest of my RA order and without impacting the order’s shipping charge. The Champ XL and FVP XL would either ship from a different warehouse or would cause the order’s shipping charge to increase.

At this price point, would you consider the Ultraguard’s to be a better filter than the OE Mopar’s?

 

[ZeeOSix]

At this price point, would you consider the Ultraguard’s to be a better filter than the OE Mopar’s?

In terms of efficiency the AC Delco Ultragaurd should be better. What's the claimed efficiency of both, if available?

 

[The Critic]

To the OP, can you give us a photo of the end of the filter showing the holes in the top? There is one design that is definitely a “ trademark” of a Champ filter but there might be other versions made under the First Brands and Champ banner. If it looks like this it is definitely made by Champion Labs. ( Champ).

In terms of efficiency the AC Delco Ultragaurd should be better. What's the claimed efficiency of both, if available?

I was unable to locate recent data for either filter.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Well, it has 6 holes, and the letters zz embossed on the end plate which is similar to the Champ XL but the 6 “ nubbins” are visible, unlike some of the Champ XL Filters.

 

[Sayjac]

Critic, I have no doubt the UPF48Rs you received are made by Champ Labs. Baseplate with ZZ stamped/imprinted on base plate, along with base plate design (classic, not ecore) and date code print type and color all Champ Labs features. In fact, I can only recall Champ Labs making ACDelco OFs.

Efficiency more difficult to define as it's OEM-ish. Online info I see says 98% @25-30um. Not unreasonable to think they are in that ballpark. Champ Labs made Super Tech iirc 99@30um. Not super efficient but decent imo.

The weird thing about UltraGuard Gold, they have always used nitrile type adbv. I know they have a fancy name for it, but pretty confident, it's nitrile. For sure, not silicone.

 

[ZeeOSix]

The weird thing about UltraGuard Gold, they have always used nitrile type adbv. I know they have a fancy name for it, but pretty confident, it's nitrile. For sure, not silicone.

I think either some of them had a silicone ADBV, or they had them at some point in time. The ACDelco Ultraguard Gold has changed over the years ... I recall when it first came out (I bought some back in 2002 for my Z06) it had wire-backed media, but not now. But it seems most of them have a black nitrile ADBV.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324085120382?_ul=IL

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ACDelco...8-Chevrolet-Spark-Volt-Cruze-UPF64R/309312475