Spent a little time at WalMart comparing the (AC Delco) PF46E with the (SuperTech) ST3506. Obviously, since these are both E-cores they have the same construction, but the AC Delco has noticeably thicker media. Although this seems to result in fewer pleats, this also seems to keep the pleats closer together. IMO, the Delco filters are much higher quality than the ST. (It seems to me that not all E-cores are created equal).
FWIW, I bought the ST3506 (mismarked at $1.50), took it home and cut it open. The media itself actually didn't look so bad... not very thick, but a bit more dense than the media on a NPS I cut open last week.
The pleats were further apart near the seam. The felt end caps are flimsily glued to the media - they are easily pulled away without tearing the media. I wouldn't trust them to stay attached for longer OCIs, just as I wouldn't trust the media near the seam from being flattened against the center tube and eventually compromised.
All things considered, though, this filter might actually be OK for very limited OCIs (maybe 3,000 miles, max). I know others have used these for longer, but it seems to me these things just aren't made to last very long at all. For OCIs of 4k miles or more, a better constructed filter from Wix or Purolator would prove to be more durable.
Not that I plan to use any E-Cores on my truck. I don't mind spending $6-7 on a filter and IMHO that's where the best off-the-shelf filters are priced. (I just haven't psyched myself into cutting open a $6-7 filter yet ; )
FWIW, I bought the ST3506 (mismarked at $1.50), took it home and cut it open. The media itself actually didn't look so bad... not very thick, but a bit more dense than the media on a NPS I cut open last week.
The pleats were further apart near the seam. The felt end caps are flimsily glued to the media - they are easily pulled away without tearing the media. I wouldn't trust them to stay attached for longer OCIs, just as I wouldn't trust the media near the seam from being flattened against the center tube and eventually compromised.
All things considered, though, this filter might actually be OK for very limited OCIs (maybe 3,000 miles, max). I know others have used these for longer, but it seems to me these things just aren't made to last very long at all. For OCIs of 4k miles or more, a better constructed filter from Wix or Purolator would prove to be more durable.
Not that I plan to use any E-Cores on my truck. I don't mind spending $6-7 on a filter and IMHO that's where the best off-the-shelf filters are priced. (I just haven't psyched myself into cutting open a $6-7 filter yet ; )
