I use Delco PF 47C filters for my 3.8L supercharged engine, but heard that 4.3L Chevy Blazer style will fit.. I know if I use a bigger filter it would hang lower then normal on the mount, but is there any real benefits or cons to using a bigger oil filter?
bigger oil filter pros and cons
- Thread starter drifter420
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One has to be careful as oil systems, esp. oil pumps, are designed for a specific rate of flow (volume) at a specific pressure. On oversixed filter may not meet these design specifications, leading to inadequate lubrication.
The PF52 filters will come awfully close to the engine support frame. Considering that the motor will move around during normal driving, I don't know that I'd risk that big of a filter for fear of it striking that frame and leaking. I've considered it myself, and another member here has done it successfully, but it's a risk.
I am guessing your car is a GP, Regal or Monte Carlo. I am using my first oversize filter on my rinse phase for ARX becuase of more filter media. In the 500 miles i have had it on my Grand Prix, i have not seen any dents or other problems with the car. I have not scanned my oil pressure to see how it was running, but nothing feels different on the car. Every guy that i know that has a modified GP is running the bigger filters.
As long as a larger size filter's bypass pressure is the same or very close to that of the specified size filter, flow rate and pressure will not be adversely affected. Flow rate could even be enhanced. The main considerations in going to an oversize filter are that the gasket diameter and its x-section width be the same, or nearly so, that the exit port size and thread pitch be the same, and that the alternate size filter have adequate physical clearance from nearby objects on the engine, the frame, the suspension system, exhaust system pieces, and/or ground clearance. The advantages of a larger filter, if feasible in a given circumstance, are the presumed greater filtration medium area (usually, but not always the case), higher capacity for contaminent retention (and, by logical extension, reduced incidence of bypass operation), and the nominally increased oil volume that can be carried. (In my case the extra 1/4 quart allows me to fill to a full five quarts - I hate futzing with a partial bottle!)
I disagree. I feel a bigger filter is ALWAYS better, provided you have ample room for the filter.
A bigger filter created a bigger flow "window", assuming the same media. If your pump puts out xx gpm @ xx psi, how could having a bigger filter possibly hurt you? It is not like you are opening up the bearing clearances, allowing a pressure drop for a given flowrate. Flowrate into the filter equals flowrate out of the filter, and the larger filter should provide a lower pressure drop across the filter.
Close to GP.. I have the Bonneville SSEI. It's clear from any sub frame and hangs bout 1/4~1/2 inch lower then the oil pan. I know not to go speedin thru a speed bump.. as that MIGHT tear it off and run into issues.. I just wanted some guru opinion on if it's worthy to do or not?
The AC Delco PF-47 & PF-52 oil filters do not have bypass valves in them.
I use a over-sized PF-52 equivalent vs the stock PF-47 on my 3400-series engine on my Grand AM; but I do not have any over-hanging down issues.
[ September 16, 2004, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: 99 GASE2 ]
Do you have the steel or aluminum oil pan? On the steel pans the filter is at more of an angle and the filter sticks down too far. On the aluminum pans the filter is almost horizontal, if you use the longer filter it should only stick down 1/4" below the pan.
-T
Umm.. sorry I don't know if it is steel or aluminum. All I know is that it's a Series II L67 3.8 S/C motor..
If you turn your pass. side wheel outward you SHOULD be able to see the oil filter(it's hanging vertical). If you do then the bigger filter will fit as I have used it with no problems.
BTW I have a 99 GTP with some mods
BTW I have a 99 GTP with some mods
I agree with all the above ^^ with the exception for filters that are mounted upside down or horizontal, in these cases the filter will empty wile shut down, and with a larger filter it will take longer to get oil to get to the parts on the next start, on my Chevy (vertical) I ran very large filters, on my Lexus ( Toyota ) I run standard size filters (90915-20004 Toyota filter)
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=001653
this plus the mess of changing a horizontal filter make vertical mount superior IMO
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