Ea026 installed w/ pics

[axjohn]

Saab9-3:

How much taller is that Napa 1773 than a Motorcraft FL1A? I have a B234 900S, and the FL1a seems to be the tallest filter that will screw on without interference. I believe the FL1a cross references to Napa 51515; that may be true, but from the looks of your picture, that 1773 would be WAY LONGER than an FL1a. Unfortunately, I'd have to wait until Saturday to compare this as I can't get to Napa before they close (due to commute).

Anybody have a link to a site which would show the dimensions of these filters? Thanks in advance.

I'd love to be able to use that megafilter on my NG 900, but my memory of the bottom of the engine bay at the moment has me doubting it.

 

[MI_Roger]

The Baldwin BT251 is equal to the Wix/NAPA 1773 and is 7-1/8 inches long.

The Baldwin B243 is equal to the Purolator Pl20195 (larger than std Saab filter) and is 4-27/32 long.

The Baldwin BT223 is equal to the standard Saab filter and is 3-1/2 inches long.

The 1773 is a monster! It may be prudent to include an additional bracket or strap to hold this filter when mounting it horizontally.

 

[Saab9-3]

http://www.fleetfilter.com will give you measurements

1773 = Height: 6.982
Outer Diameter Top: 3.663

1515= Height: 5.178
Outer Diameter: 3.660

So the 1773 is almost 2 inches. From the sounds of it, the baldwin filters are even longer, I have about 1 inch until my filter hit my exhaust, but I think I ll stay with my setup, good clearence all around.

If you want to try the filter on your 900, I am not exactly familiar with the exhaust layout, but it is your only intrusion. Unless you have a 3" dp, then clearence is not an issue. For the price of a Napa filter, buy the 1515 and see if it fits. Just have your Dremel ready to grind a small piece away where the filter rubs on the sump.

 

[Saab9-3]

Edit to above:

The FL1A is the same as the Napa 1515, not the 1773.

 

[axjohn]

Saab9-3: I've used both the FL1 and the 1515 with no problems, they just don't leave much room at the top when you begin threading the filter to the mount. That monster 1773 is never going to fit on my car (prediction); there must be some differences in the undercarriage between the 9-3 and the NG900.

I'm going to climb under the car tonight to measure. I'm about to change the oil this weekend and I'm currently using the FL400S (GREAT filter for Saabs IMHO), but I'd surely love to get the extra oil in the sump that you've managed to get with THE MONSTER!

MI_Roger, thanks for your dimensions, from that "state/school up north"!!! Hard to tell where I went to graduate school with a line like that, eh?

 

[Saab9-3]

keep in mind I have an after market race exhaust from genuine sAab. Allows for much more room as I only one cat.

 

[Saab9-3]

the 1515 will give one extra liter/qt

 

[axjohn]

Saab9-3; your mod exhaust does explain a lot. My car is OBD1 (only 1 cat).

My experience is that instead of the 3.8qts with the standard sized Saab filter, the 51515 gives me 4 full quarts. Not an entire extra liter.

Thanks,

 

[Saab9-3]

I have no problem getting an extra liter in with the 1515. This puts my oil level just over full on the dipstick. With the ea026 I am the top of the black on the border of metal wire