Cut open a few filters

[sxg6]

Nothing really scientific, just took a can opener and tailpipe cutter to break open a few filters, and take a bunch of pictures.

Supertech 7317
http://www.gts4.com/st/st.html

Napa Proselect 21356
http://www.gts4.com/nps/nps.html

Napa Gold 1356
http://www.gts4.com/ng/ng.html

Filters used
http://www.gts4.com/all3.jpg

My personal observations that the pictures might not show.
Napa proselect had thinnest media $3.50
Supertech had 2nd thinnest media $2.07
Napa gold had medium thickness media $6.50

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Excellent pics. Thanks.

 

[Pete C.]

FYI...

The physical thickness of filter media (any type) is not a true indication of it's efficiency or dirt holding capacity.

 

[labman]

Media quality is a great mystery. Wish Filter Guy would give us a few more hints. Otherwise, until I hear differently, I will still go the most and thickest media.

Most ST's are American made.

 

[kanling]

I'm surprised to see a difference in construction between the ProSelect and NAPA Gold. I have always been under the impression that they were the same except for media and silicone ADBV. This ProSelect filter has a different center tube and also seems to be lacking the same great threaded-end bypass valve.

Is this difference unique to this part number? Has there been a change to the ProSelect line overall?

By the way, I can't really tell how the bypass valve is set up on the ProSelect from these pictures. Could we bother you for another sxg?

 

[sxg6]

Sorry, ive already thrown away the adbv's. I only have the filter media, center tubes, and end caps. It looks like different glue is used between the proselect and the gold as well, fwiw.

 

[Finklejag]

Wow, thanks for the great pics. These are the size I use for my 1.8L Sentra. I was going to switch over to the Napa Gold at my next OCI. I have been using Nissan OEM. I guess they have switched over from metal enp caps to a new composite end cap. So I will be using Napa Golds now.

 

[Filter guy]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pete C.:
FYI...

The physical thickness of filter media (any type) is not a true indication of it's efficiency or dirt holding capacity.

---

What he said.....

 

[vad]

sxg6
Great close-ups!!
Appreciate your time and effort.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Excellent photos!

Makes me very happy (along with my very good UOAs

) that I use Supertech filters.

ALso, the Mexico plant is not going to sending us (as in USA) filters anymore.

They look and work great..

Thanks for the effort!

Take care, Bill

 

[Triple_Se7en]

That's a better pic than my digitial camera.

How about sharing with us the camera name, model, model number & amount of pixels.

Thanks in advance!

 

[sxg6]

Nikon Coolpix 5400
5MP, images taken at 1024x768

 

[Big O Dave]

quote:

---

Media quality is a great mystery. Wish Filter Guy would give us a few more hints. Otherwise, until I hear differently, I will still go the most and thickest media.

---

I tend to agree.

 

[Pete C.]

Think of your HVAC filters. The old fiber style VS the new pleated style. Which one is thicker? Does that make it more efficient than the thinner one?

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Can someone tell me how exactly to cut open a filter? Tools/tips?

 

[Bill in Utah]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chris Meutsch:
Can someone tell me how exactly to cut open a filter? Tools/tips?

---

I just use a dremel with a disc and cut about 1/2 inch below the seam.

I should get a oil filter cutter since I've done so many, but too cheap!

Take care, Bill

 

[TurboLuver]

Thank *** you didnt open any fram's, the pro fram crowd around here hates it when that happens...

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I don't have a Dremel. Will a standard can opener (the kind with the wheel) work?

 

[sxg6]

Since i'm too cheap to buy a professional tool to cut open oil filters, i use a swing-a-way style can opener, and a tailpipe cutter for the ones that give me trouble.

Fram's are very easy to cut open due to their design, so it'd be a good filter to practice on if you want. Basically, you want the cutting wheel of the can opener to be in the seam where the baseplate meets the filter can body. But some filters give me trouble, because the guide wheel can crush the baseplate material near the holes on the baseplate. So on those, i wrap a tailpipe cutter chain around the filter, squeeze so that it punctures the can, rotate the can, squeeze again so it punctures a new spot, etc. i also put the cutting wheels on the tailpipe cutter as close to the baseplate/can seam as you can.

 

[miked2]

Thank you very much for the great pictures!!!