Differences: Motorcraft FL-910 and Supertech

[LouDawg]

I was looking at a Motorcraft FL-910 and the Supertech equivalent at Walmart the other day. I noticed a couple of things.

1. The MC filter "felt" heavier. I didn't weigh them, they just felt that way.

2. Looking inside, the MC filter had a metal "shield" on the inner core, whereas the Super Tech filter did not. I could see the filter media on the Super Tech but it was covered by the shield on the MC.

Does this mean the MC is a better filter than the Super Tech, or does this really matter? Also, the hole pattern at the base was somewhat different, but I was most curious about that inner metal shield.

TIA!

 

[kkreit01]

I also "feel" better buying the MC filter at only $3.00 and some change...

 

[Gary Allan]

You're talking about a center tube. The ST is an Ecore® design and uses a composite cage to support the media. The MC uses the traditional tube (either spiral rolled or straight seamed).

Either filter is a good value for the $$$. I would consider the MC a better filter ..sorta. It gives a good show on the particle counts that have been performed by members. I don't think anyone knows if it makes a whole lot of difference for the $1.25 more. I use both.

 

[LouDawg]

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You're talking about a center tube. The ST is an Ecore® design and uses a composite cage to support the media. The MC uses the traditional tube (either spiral rolled or straight seamed).

Either filter is a good value for the $$$. I would consider the MC a better filter ..sorta. It gives a good show on the particle counts that have been performed by members. I don't think anyone knows if it makes a whole lot of difference for the $1.25 more. I use both.

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So the only purpose of the center tube is to support the media? Seems like the steel would be overkill, but maybe it does more than just support.

At any rate, I'll probably stick with the MC if for no other reasons than the lower particle counts (?) and it's for a Ford.

Thanks!

 

[Gary Allan]

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So the only purpose of the center tube is to support the media?

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No, but if you didn't have to support the media you could use a whole lot less metal

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Seems like the steel would be overkill, but maybe it does more than just support.

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It's actually less strong then the composite cage that the Ecore uses. There are some filters that were found with center tubes that didn't extend all the way to the end caps. I believe we've even heard of "floating" center tubes.

The MC filters are a good choice. I usually buy a couple with every WM trip. It's just hard to pass up the $2.2X ST