quote:
I cut some "virgin" filters open... a FL-1A and a bunch of its equivalents. Below are the measurements I took of the filter elements.
code:
Pleat # Element Element
Filter Depth Pleats Width Area
Baldwin B2-HPG 0.719 61 3.75 328.83
Professional's Choice Q1A 0.719 62 3.69 328.65
Supertech ST8A 0.719 62 3.50 311.94
Motorcraft FL-1A 0.719 56 3.75 301.88
Denso 150-1004 0.719 52 3.88 289.66
Baldwin B2 0.719 51 3.69 270.34
Donaldson P169071 0.719 49 3.75 264.14
Donaldson P550008 0.625 56 3.50 245.00
Fram TG8A 0.656 45 4.13 243.63
Fram XG8A 0.781 36 3.50 196.88
Fram PH8A 0.625 35 4.13 180.47
Here are some notes to consider:
The Baldwin B2-HPG, the Donaldson P169071 and the Fram XG8A are special filters - they have very high quality synthetic elements. If a Purolator PureOne was included here, it would be in this select group. My understanding is that the FL-1A element is either similar or the same as the PureOne, and if so, it should be included in this group. In particular, the P169071 and the XG8A appear to have very high quality elements - they are thicker than the others, and look very different. In fact, every aspect of these two filters appears to be top-flight, no expense spared.
The Professional's Choice is a private label Purolator (the FL-1A is also made by Purolator, but to Ford's exact specs).
The SuperTech is WalMart's "house" brand and is made by Champion. It is one of their new "E-Core" filters and appears to be quite a good buy... it's the least expensive of this group, yet look at the surface area of the element. It appears to be well made, even though it has fiber endcaps like the two Frams discussed below.
The Denso is a Japanese brand and it appears to be a high-quality filter, too. It comes with the gasket pre-lubed. I understand it has a cellulose media
The two remaining Frams, the TG8A and the PH8A, are controversial because of their fiberboard endcaps and their limited surface area, especially the PH8A. The TG8A has a better bypass design and more surface area than the PH8A, but at a higher cost. The PH8A is known for having a relatively ineffective anti-drainback valve (ADBV), and the TG8A uses a more supple silicone ADBV in an attempt to rectify the problem. It's my opinion that if the PH8A isn't causing excessive valvetrain noise in your engine at start-up, it will do an good job filtering your oil, but its limited surface area, coupled with average media, means it really is only probably good for 3,000 miles and no more. The TG8A is likely able to go somewhat further, perhaps 5,000 miles, at most. In contrast, the high-end XG8A is touted as a 7,000 mile filter, and I have no reason to doubt that.
I'm no expert, but I've done my best to give the most objective comments I can. Please feel free to comment and impart your knowledge if I need to be corrected.
I hope this will prove helpful!
