How much increased capacity with PF 52

[Carlton]

I have an 88 Chevy S-10 with a 2.5 liter engine. Due to this engines low oil capacity I recently used a Delco PF 52 in place of the recommended PF 47. However the oil capacity has only increased about a quarter of a quart. Does this seem a little low or about right?

 

[Bill Kapaun]

Using my homemade oil filter volume calculator (aka a spreadsheet), I come up with about 5 oz. difference.
There are a few caveats however-
It assumes the oil filter can is a pure cylinder with a flat end, unlike a typical filter with a slightly domed end and "some" taper.
I also crossed the AC#'s to Wix (since their dimensions are easily available), so there could be a bit of difference there.
Lastly, it ignores the displacement caused by the filters "innards".
Then there's the problem of measuring your oil to the oz by reading the dipstick.
I think you are in the ball park, if not a "bit" high.

 

[labman]

Sounds high to me. I was using PF 52's in place of PF 47's on my Grand Am. I think they were both the same except for the length, at the most 2'' difference. I think they were 2 3/4'' in diameter. You just need to calculate the difference. Stand them up side by side and measure the difference. 1.375X1.375x3.14x2 = 11.8 cu in = 0.206 qt. or less. In operation, the filter element has oil inside and out as well as in all its pores, so a bigger one displaces very little more oil.

Most places a PF 52 is the same price as a PF 47. Why not, unless it sticks down where it might get hit?

 

[T-Keith]

About .25 quarts. A good idea on this engine too.

-T

 

[VQ35DE]

I agree, this is good for any engine where you have room.

 

[GT Mike]

If a person is dilligent about their OCI, and has no problem with engine cleanliness, is it really necessary to run a larger than OEM filter? I've argued this time and again on another board I frequent, and have never been given a definitive answer.

My Grand Prix's 3800 V6 takes a AC PF-47, (or a Wix 51040) as original equipment. There has to be a reason why if a PF-52 fits, that they decided not to use it instead.

If someone could shed some light on this I'd apprieciate it. Till then I'll stick with the stock length filter.

Even after all things considered...Does anyone really think an additional ~4 oz. of oil capacity is going to make a hill of beans difference?

 

[labman]

Not really. Along with some others here, I doubt oil filters make that much difference. I think the trend is too smaller and smaller filters. When I cut open the same part number of the same brands of filter, I found the newer ones had less filter area. The PF 52 is an older filter than the PF 47. When GM buys filters, I figure they do get the smaller ones cheaper. Thus, ever smaller filters. When I buy filters, I can get a PF 52 for the price of the PF 47, so buy the PF 52. Quite frankly, I think I might get just as much service out of my car if I used a Fram. Still, why not use the PF 52?

 

[VQ35DE]

I agree. Since the 52 & 47 are the same price, you get better flow, more filtration capacity, a little more oil and oil cooling due to larger filter. These are all advantages, so why not use it if there is room to fit.