Just curious--does the size of filter spec'd by the manufacturer tell you anything meaningful about the engine it is going on? It seems to be pretty much a given that newer cars are using ever-smaller filters. I'm assuming that means that better and better fuel management systems create less dilution, etc. But what about between similar vehicles of the same vintage?
Does size of filter mean something?
- Thread starter AuthorEditor
- Start date
- Status
Generally, larger filters have larger filtering elements inside of them so they can hold more debris before going into bypass.
Also, larger elements can flow more oil through them than smaller ones, all other things being equal.
The thing is, filter element size (and flow) are not usually the limiting factors in oil system flow - the oil journals in the engine are.
Also, larger elements can flow more oil through them than smaller ones, all other things being equal.
The thing is, filter element size (and flow) are not usually the limiting factors in oil system flow - the oil journals in the engine are.
I don't think the outside size means much except how old the design is. Yes, the newer filters are ever smaller but it often means packing the media in tighter and perhaps better media. You can't tell much looking at the outside, and even if you cut the filter open and measure the media, you still don't know how good it is.
When Champ went to the Ecore, they made the filters shorter. I don't remember any reports comparing how much media between the old and new.
Less media may even be better, the more it loads up, the more efficient it becomes.
Still, many here, including me in the past, run over size filters.
When Champ went to the Ecore, they made the filters shorter. I don't remember any reports comparing how much media between the old and new.
Less media may even be better, the more it loads up, the more efficient it becomes.
Still, many here, including me in the past, run over size filters.
Originally Posted By: labman
Still, many here, including me in the past, run over size filters.
Me too.
One other thing, if a filter has more media surface, all other things being equal, the flow of oil through it is slower and tends to leave more dirt behind in the media rather than shoving it on through.
I believe that filters with the same media type often have a bit of efficiency rating difference (higher) in the larger version.
Still, many here, including me in the past, run over size filters.
Me too.
One other thing, if a filter has more media surface, all other things being equal, the flow of oil through it is slower and tends to leave more dirt behind in the media rather than shoving it on through.
I believe that filters with the same media type often have a bit of efficiency rating difference (higher) in the larger version.
+1 labman. Too many IFs. media, number of pleats, size of media. Maybe one very little positive is the larger can will hold 1/4 quirt more oil. I doubt that an additional 1/4 quart in a 5 quart sysem means anything.
What I was getting at is if the size of the filter relates to engine characteristics in any way. Just for example, Hondas and other Japanese cars seem to run very small filters, almost like the size of a baby food jar, yet a lot of U.S. cars run much fatter, and generally longer filters. Does that reflect something about the design of I4 engines vs. V6s or the displacement of the engine, even though these engines require similar amounts of oil to fill up?
In the most, mostest, general sort of way, yeah...the bigger the displacement and number and size of bearings the bigger the filter tends to be.
You wont find a Corolla size filter on a Kenworth.
But there's no formula AFAIK.
Except for racing, even a little filter probably averages about 1/15th the flow restriction of the engine's own oil system.
You wont find a Corolla size filter on a Kenworth.
But there's no formula AFAIK.
Except for racing, even a little filter probably averages about 1/15th the flow restriction of the engine's own oil system.
Cut open a Miata thimble. It had more media in it that a huge PH 3950.
Originally Posted By: labman
I don't think the outside size means much except how old the design is. Yes, the newer filters are ever smaller but it often means packing the media in tighter and perhaps better media. You can't tell much looking at the outside, and even if you cut the filter open and measure the media, you still don't know how good it is.
When Champ went to the Ecore, they made the filters shorter. I don't remember any reports comparing how much media between the old and new.
Less media may even be better, the more it loads up, the more efficient it becomes.
Still, many here, including me in the past, run over size filters.
Why would they not put the same media in a big filter as a smaller one?
I don't think the outside size means much except how old the design is. Yes, the newer filters are ever smaller but it often means packing the media in tighter and perhaps better media. You can't tell much looking at the outside, and even if you cut the filter open and measure the media, you still don't know how good it is.
When Champ went to the Ecore, they made the filters shorter. I don't remember any reports comparing how much media between the old and new.
Less media may even be better, the more it loads up, the more efficient it becomes.
Still, many here, including me in the past, run over size filters.
Why would they not put the same media in a big filter as a smaller one?
^ to save on production cost.
Has anyone compared the oil pressure values between OE size and an oversized filters?
- Status
