Comparing Champ filters to AC Delco (hint, theyre the same)

[64bawagon]

I have been using the Champ XL filters for a couple of years now and noticed they share some of the same features that some AC fliters do, not all but enough to notice. Understanding that they are both made by Champion labs it was not surprising.
In the past I compared a cartridge filter for my 2014 Cruze from AC to the Champ unit I bought and they could not have been more similar.
I decided I wanted to see is if the standard Champ filter 10063 matched up to the standard AC PF63. I didnt really need more for my stash but for $2.03 I thought it would be fun. The pictures speak for themselves. Crazy that Rockauto sells the Champ for $2.03 when its the same filter as a PF63 that I bought at my local Chevy dealer for around $7. Notice that the color coding on the gasket is even the same. The pics of the core appear the same even though the shading in the picture seems different. Bad lighting and a camera phone are to blame.
I was going to cut them open but it seems so obvious that I couldnt bring myself to sacrifice them.
See for yourself

 

[GMBoy]

Champ for the win and under $3 on RA

 

[fantastic]

Champ for the win and under $3 on RA

Ha ha, I was going to say the same thing "Champ for the Win" You beat me to it!

I have been using the Champ XL filters for a couple of years now and noticed they share some of the same features that some AC fliters do, not all but enough to notice. Understanding that they are both made by Champion labs it was not surprising.
In the past I compared a cartridge filter for my 2014 Cruze from AC to the Champ unit I bought and they could not have been more similar.
I decided I wanted to see is if the standard Champ filter 10063 matched up to the standard AC PF63. I didnt really need more for my stash but for $2.03 I thought it would be fun. The pictures speak for themselves. Crazy that Rockauto sells the Champ for $2.03 when its the same filter as a PF63 that I bought at my local Chevy dealer for around $7. Notice that the color coding on the gasket is even the same. The pics of the core appear the same even though the shading in the picture seems different. Bad lighting and a camera phone are to blame.
I was going to cut them open but it seems so obvious that I couldnt bring myself to sacrifice them.
See for yourself

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I think someone is going to choose the $2 Champ now & skip the Delco Blue. Blue coat of paint not worth $5 premium. Good work & thanks for sharing what you found on this model.

 

[silversport]

interestingly my Cadillac (3.6TT) uses the ACD PF63 but RockAuto.Com does not show the Champ/Luber-Finer 10063 to be the right filter but shows the Champ/Luber-Finer PH1500 to be the regular Champ choice to use...

On RockAuto.Com the ACD PF63 filter is actually .17 cents less than the listed Champ PH1500 filter

I wonder if my twin turbo engine accounts for the difference in oil filter choice...(bypass valve or...?)

Bill

 

[Snagglefoot]

There was a posting here that the “ double plate” is going to be dropped, starting with some specific models.

 

[64bawagon]

interestingly my Cadillac (3.6TT) uses the ACD PF63 but RockAuto.Com does not show the Champ/Luber-Finer 10063 to be the right filter but shows the Champ/Luber-Finer PH1500 to be the regular Champ choice to use...

On RockAuto.Com the ACD PF63 filter is actually .17 cents less than the listed Champ PH1500 filter

I wonder if my twin turbo engine accounts for the difference in oil filter choice...(bypass valve or...?)

Bill

I have found that some vehicles that came with the PF63 dont necessarily show it as the replacement filter. I believe the UPF63R was designed with a stronger case for certain applications. I believe there is a bulleting on it related to the 3.6L
The PF63 covers a wide range of engines and years, all of the 5.3L trucks I have had used it as well as both of my 6.6L gas in the HD's

 

[64bawagon]

Champ for the win and under $3 on RA

I paid $2.03 for this one and with shipping on 7 filters, tax and the 5% discount it came in at around $2.95 My local Walmart wants over $9 for the AC. The Chevy dealer is actually cheaper for most AC filters.
Since I am retired I have time to spend on things like this. It wont save me a ton of money but its a moral victory if nothing else

 

[mrsilv04]

Over the weekend at Rural King, saw that Prime Guard was selling the Champ manufactured AC Delco PF46 as a Prime Guard POF4006... with the same familiar blue paint on it.

I checked the POF2222 (for newer 5.3's), but it was still the familiar black painted "Leak Tested" made in China filter that I expected to see.

 

[Sayjac]

One thing I'd need to confirm before saying the same. Do both use metal endcaps? ACDelco ecore has been using those for a while. Can't say that's also been true for Champ label. Also, topic looks to have dome bypass. ACDelco filters never used a combo valve, always separate dome bypass. Iirc, in the past some equivalent Champ label, used a combo valve. That said, seems Champ Labs has moved more ecore filters to the preferable separate bypass.

 

[silversport]

I have found that some vehicles that came with the PF63 dont necessarily show it as the replacement filter. I believe the UPF63R was designed with a stronger case for certain applications. I believe there is a bulleting on it related to the 3.6L
The PF63 covers a wide range of engines and years, all of the 5.3L trucks I have had used it as well as both of my 6.6L gas in the HD's

I saw that bulletin...I was even advised by 2 Cadillac dealerships as well as the Buick/GMC dealership I got my V-Sport at to use the UPF-63 filter...interestingly to me at least is that on the bulletin the twin turbo 3.6 was left off the list of GM recommendations for using the UPF-63 filter over the PF-63 filter in that recommendation in their Technical Service Bulletin/TSB...

I have checked with several ATS-V owners, some who track or autocross their vehicle (slightly higher performance version of the LF3/3.6TT engine) and they all recommend using either the regular PF-63 or something else and none recommended the UPF-63...

Bill

 

[64bawagon]

One thing I'd need to confirm before saying the same. Do both use metal endcaps? ACDelco ecore has been using those for a while. Can't say that's also been true for Champ label. Also, topic looks to have dome bypass. ACDelco filters never used a combo valve, always separate dome bypass. Iirc, in the past some equivalent Champ label, used a combo valve. That said, seems Champ Labs has moved more ecore filters to the preferable separate bypass.

I have a pretty good stash of these filters but I couldnt bring myself to sacrifice 2 filters to find out. I wasnt raised that way

 

[Sayjac]

I have a pretty good stash of these filters but I couldnt bring myself to sacrifice 2 filters to find out.....

I get it, I'm the same. Just mentioning that 'for me' to definitely state they are "the same", seeing the end caps would be more conclusive. In the past Champ Labs made use of polyester end caps rather than metal. Even some ACDelco ecores for GM vehicles used polyester caps.

 

[64bawagon]

I get it, I'm the same. Just mentioning that 'for me' to definitely state they are "the same", seeing the end caps would be more conclusive. In the past Champ Labs made use of polyester end caps rather than metal. Even some ACDelco ecores for GM vehicles used polyester caps.

If youre patient I will likely post the filters AFTER use, may take a while though

 

[z71offroader83]

I recently purchased 6 of these filters from rock auto for my Silverado and Buick Enclave. Without opening any filters I compared the Champ filter with a Supertech MP10575 that was used and sitting in my oil drain pan. The ST filter has a silicone drain back valve verses the Champs rubber nitrile valve. I also noticed the Champ filters have some pleat separation on one side where the ST does not. My Silverado is due for an oil change and currently has an PF63 on it. I would like to cut all 3 open after use and compare. Here are some photos I took which also show some pleat separation on the Champ filter. Someone told me in another thread that the MP filter is Champs “premium” filter and the other filter is a “non premium” filter

 

[silversport]

right...the "Premium" Champ filter will have "XL" in the name, are built for synthetic oil and be a silver or blue/gray colored filter body...

some on this Forum have reported that the newest Champ XLs no longer have the silicone ADBV but those I bought on RockAuto within the last year (although if I read the date code correctly are 2017 made) has them...

Bill

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have used both the Champ XL and Supertech MP - and like them both.

Both seem to vary over time for Nitrile vs silicon ADBV. I really do prefer silicon. It handles hot / cold better and would keep longer if your storing.

Cut open some seem to have more or less pleats.

The media may look the same, but it may or may not be the same. There are different grades and weave's of cellulose. No idea how to tell. A microscope does seem to give some idea.

I would be happy to run any of them, but just because the construction is the same does not mean they are identical.

 

[sloinker]

I will say they both will do the job and work well. I won't say they are the same. When I worked in the paper industry the commodity paper we made was usually held to a lower test standard than a customers minimum specification or a house brand. I would venture to say the in house testing lab holds a lower testing threshold for the Champ versus the AC Delco. Burst pressure, filtering threshold, rubber durometer etc....Be interesting to have a lab technician from the factory that produces these to chime in.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I would venture to say the in house testing lab holds a lower testing threshold for the Champ versus the AC Delco. Burst pressure, filtering threshold, rubber durometer etc....Be interesting to have a lab technician from the factory that produces these to chime in.

They are most likely tested to meet or exceed the same minimum tests standards. Labs don't make up their own filter tests.

 

[sloinker]

They are most likely tested to meet or exceed the same minimum tests standards. Labs don't make up their own filter tests.

Yep, the bargain filter meets and the name brand exceeds. I suggest that the in-house minimum standard for the flagship is higher than the generic. Unless we get someone that works in the manufacturing facility producing/testing these parts it is only conjecture.

 

[sloinker]

Back in the day I bought some Big O tires for a car of mine. I was going to get Pirelli's at Costco as they were bargain priced name brand, but was phoning around for best price, doing my due diligence, and was told the Big O tires were actually Pirelli's manufactured in Hanford, Ca. by the salesperson. I went and looked and they had the same exact tread pattern and were somewhat cheaper than Costco. Worked great for about 25k miles. I think the warranty was 50K miles. They were going to pro rate a little bit off the next set but I just ate the loss and bought some Michelin's at Costco instead. I wonder to this day if I would have gotten the Costco Pirelli's if they would have lasted longer. It will forever remain a mystery.