I was wondering if i could get some input on why so many people prefer champ labs e-core filters, i am on the edge about using one in my jeep, i stick to the good old 3000 mile oci. thanks!
e-core filters?
- Thread starter trabuccomlfrd
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The only E-core I bought were the Wal-Mart ST barnd. They worked well for the 3K OCI when I had my Saturn. For $2.50 and for a 20 year old car there's no reason why I need to spend 2 or 3 times more for a filter. I cut open enough of them to know that they work well for me.
Some people here have posted pics of the element where it got blown through the holes in the cage. When they first came out a lot got cut open including one I cut open and the felt stuff on the ends of the element was not securly glued or however they put it on. I saw this myself with a new one I cut open.
They seemed to get that problem fixed pretty fast.
They seemed to get that problem fixed pretty fast.
Triple_Se7en
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A better alternative for similar money is either the Purolator Classic or the Napa Pro Select.
Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
A better alternative for similar money is either the Purolator Classic or the Napa Pro Select.
Couldn't agree more for a "budget" filter.
The Purolator classics are IMO better constructed than the Ecores. Yes they have metal endcaps but I'm also referring to the arrangement of the pleats. I've cut open several Purolators (new and used) and never see one with more than 3 grossly unevenly spaced pleats and no "twisting" or "spiraling" of the media with it all being perpendicular to the endcaps.
Contrast this to the ecore Supertechs.
On the last one I cut open, I was going to install it until I looked inside it and saw pleats all sorts of "not right" with a few flattened almost completely out.
I cut it apart and low and behold in addition to the media twisted and very poorly spaced pleats, I found a 1/4"+ long slit in the end cap that appeared to have occurred in the bonding process with the media. Could see daylight through it, so any oil that hit it was going to work its way through (and likely make the slit bigger).
After that, no more Ecores ever.
A ST costs $2.47 in my area. I can get a Purolator for $2.73.
My only complaint with the Purolators is that the cans are a bit on the thin side so you have to be careful not to leave dents with your fingers when tightening them, especially in a filter location where its convoluted to get too and you can't get a good full grip on the filter.
A better alternative for similar money is either the Purolator Classic or the Napa Pro Select.
Couldn't agree more for a "budget" filter.
The Purolator classics are IMO better constructed than the Ecores. Yes they have metal endcaps but I'm also referring to the arrangement of the pleats. I've cut open several Purolators (new and used) and never see one with more than 3 grossly unevenly spaced pleats and no "twisting" or "spiraling" of the media with it all being perpendicular to the endcaps.
Contrast this to the ecore Supertechs.
On the last one I cut open, I was going to install it until I looked inside it and saw pleats all sorts of "not right" with a few flattened almost completely out.
I cut it apart and low and behold in addition to the media twisted and very poorly spaced pleats, I found a 1/4"+ long slit in the end cap that appeared to have occurred in the bonding process with the media. Could see daylight through it, so any oil that hit it was going to work its way through (and likely make the slit bigger).
After that, no more Ecores ever.
A ST costs $2.47 in my area. I can get a Purolator for $2.73.
My only complaint with the Purolators is that the cans are a bit on the thin side so you have to be careful not to leave dents with your fingers when tightening them, especially in a filter location where its convoluted to get too and you can't get a good full grip on the filter.
Originally Posted By: trabuccomlfrd
I was wondering if i could get some input on why so many people prefer champ labs e-core filters, i am on the edge about using one in my jeep, i stick to the good old 3000 mile oci. thanks!
Your premise is faulty. The e-core is one of the more controversial filter discussed here. Some use them and have no issues. Others (and I put myself in this camp) equate the e-core with the OCOD and view it as a low quality product. Champ also has a performance design that is used in the M1 EP and K&N filters. The e-core is a definite step backward, and the design was obviously made to cut costs and put something out to compete price wise (and apparently performance wise as well) with the OCODs.
It is not a preferred filter here. Judging by the filter used and recommended most often, that honor would probably go to Purolator. Others that are highly regarded include Wix and Napa filters.
The performance line from Champ (Mobil and K & N branded) are controversial too but for an entirely different reason: they are, as far filters go, expensive. The quality of the filter is unquestioned, but whether or not its worth the premium Mobil and K&N asks for it is what gets debated.
-Spyder
I was wondering if i could get some input on why so many people prefer champ labs e-core filters, i am on the edge about using one in my jeep, i stick to the good old 3000 mile oci. thanks!
Your premise is faulty. The e-core is one of the more controversial filter discussed here. Some use them and have no issues. Others (and I put myself in this camp) equate the e-core with the OCOD and view it as a low quality product. Champ also has a performance design that is used in the M1 EP and K&N filters. The e-core is a definite step backward, and the design was obviously made to cut costs and put something out to compete price wise (and apparently performance wise as well) with the OCODs.
It is not a preferred filter here. Judging by the filter used and recommended most often, that honor would probably go to Purolator. Others that are highly regarded include Wix and Napa filters.
The performance line from Champ (Mobil and K & N branded) are controversial too but for an entirely different reason: they are, as far filters go, expensive. The quality of the filter is unquestioned, but whether or not its worth the premium Mobil and K&N asks for it is what gets debated.
-Spyder
I run e-core's (STP & Delco) on the Malibu for 7.5-8k miles and have never had a true issue with the media, but I do wish the pleats near the seam were closer together. The only filter I have personally seen fail was a Motorcraft from our old SL1.
Unfortunatly after this STP comes off next month, I have about a year's worth of Quaker State's to run, so I won't have any higher-milage e-core's for a while.
Unfortunatly after this STP comes off next month, I have about a year's worth of Quaker State's to run, so I won't have any higher-milage e-core's for a while.
I used them for awhile, but suffered from valve train rattle that I couldn't explain. It went away when I switched to another brand.
Right now I am running Motorcraft filters on my Ford, and a Napa Gold on my Xterra. There is still some valve train rattle, but nowhere near as much as there was.
Right now I am running Motorcraft filters on my Ford, and a Napa Gold on my Xterra. There is still some valve train rattle, but nowhere near as much as there was.
I was using a filter made by Affinia/WIX,it was a house brand from Auto Value but it was made by them.I had a lot of what sounded like valve clatter while using the Affinia,I switched to a larger version Super Tech filter and so far,the engine sounds quite a bit better.I was not very impressed with the Affinia made filter,I didnt like the brittle filter material.It may have been a good filter but something seemed to cause the rattle.It may have not been the filter but it sounds better since getting the oil changed and a Super Tech filter.The Affinia had about 4K miles on it but the rattle was there for probably there the whole time before changing the oil.I have been avoiding the ST too but as far as I can tell,it has made a difference in engine noise.I plan on cutting it open at the next OCI and seeing what it looks like.Some here like the ST and some dont.I dont know if they are bad or not but so far,it seems to be ok.
All in all, it's a $2 filter. You are not going to install it with a boutique brand synthetic, then run it for 10,000 miles. You will use the $2 filter, with very cheap conventional oil, and change them both every 3,000 miles.
Originally Posted By: Fifty150
All in all, it's a $2 filter. You are not going to install it with a boutique brand synthetic, then run it for 10,000 miles. You will use the $2 filter, with very cheap conventional oil, and change them both every 3,000 miles.
That typically sells for a buck or two more
For the same price you could get a Purolator Classic, Napa Pro Select, or possibly a Quaker State.
Both the Purolator Classic and (new) Quaker State seem well regarded, and suitable for short to mid-range OCs. The Napa PS isn't of the highest quality (some have issues with the media being too brittle, or flimsy), but its dirt cheap and I'd choose one in a heartbeat over an OCOD or e-core. I'd also have no reservations about using a Napa PS for the 3k OCI you intend. I'd go farther than that and even state that, because the Napa PS is the cheapest filter (in my area) that is of satisfactory (in my opinion) quality, it is the filter I'd pick for a 3k OCI. If you can get a Purolator Classic for close to the same price, that would be an even better choice.
-Spyder
All in all, it's a $2 filter. You are not going to install it with a boutique brand synthetic, then run it for 10,000 miles. You will use the $2 filter, with very cheap conventional oil, and change them both every 3,000 miles.
That typically sells for a buck or two more
For the same price you could get a Purolator Classic, Napa Pro Select, or possibly a Quaker State.
Both the Purolator Classic and (new) Quaker State seem well regarded, and suitable for short to mid-range OCs. The Napa PS isn't of the highest quality (some have issues with the media being too brittle, or flimsy), but its dirt cheap and I'd choose one in a heartbeat over an OCOD or e-core. I'd also have no reservations about using a Napa PS for the 3k OCI you intend. I'd go farther than that and even state that, because the Napa PS is the cheapest filter (in my area) that is of satisfactory (in my opinion) quality, it is the filter I'd pick for a 3k OCI. If you can get a Purolator Classic for close to the same price, that would be an even better choice.
-Spyder
If you get a ST filter do your research and you could get lucky and pay ecore price for a quality filter. my ST4967 is fantastic. all and all get puro classics. at least you know what your getting in that can.
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