Looking to save money, need advice

[HACCOFFICER]

I have been using K&N filters over the past 2 years or more. I use and OCI of 2500 to 3000 miles. I change my oil almost monthly. I am getting tired of paying 12 bucks when there seens to be a bunch a filters for far less. Can anyone recommend a filter that wont kill my oil pressure, or my car? Thanks

 

[OriginHacker21]

You pay $12 for an oil filter??? And I thought I had it bad spending $5 for an STP oil filter.

According to filter studies across the internet - SuperTec & STP have great oil flow rates. Obviously the other side suffers - filtration but you change your oil regularly.

Might help others if you post your car make/type/year and what type of oil you use.

 

[OriginHacker21]

Here are some links you might find handy:

http://www.oilfilterstudy.com/

http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

 

[Bill in Utah]

I use the Supertechs for many cars/trucks for many years now with excellent results.

The UOAs are very good, never had a filter problem and in fact, bought 6 more today for my Silverado Truck...

The filters I bought today look very different from the other E-cores I have in stock... They changed but I am not worried.

They are excellent filters.

Take care, Bill

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

The filters are apparently all OK, some are GOOD, and then there are those for longer periods between changes. By almost all accounts, a Fram will get you 3000 miles, adequate, but more is taking a chance. Once you SEE what's inside, you'll be more comfy with ST filters from WallyWorld (they're of cardboard, too, but supposedly a "better" filter, but cheaper by far), Purolators of every stripe ARE better, they have metal endcaps instead of cardboard/epoxy holding them together. Media seems to be largly the same with most of them, the differences being construction of the can, endcaps and bypass spring methods (which get argued until the cows come home).

Then, you get to the filters that handle smaller particles such as Purolator PureOnes and then Donaldsons, and of course, Amsoils, which list for 15.00 or so, contain synthetic fibers for smaller particle filtration and higher (advertised) capacity. Those cans are class 1 hardened facilities, too, you can't break them if you run a train over em. A moot point for you, if you're sick of paying a lot for a filter.

Watch the bypass setting, make sure it matches your OEM filter setting, it can be somewhat lower than stock, supposedly (say, 8-11 PSI vs. an OEM filter's bypass setting of 12-16), but folks in the know here don't want you going HIGHER than the OEM bypass pressure.

Good Luck!

 

[Gary Allan]

Normally no oil filter should alter your oil pressure. Some engines have issues that can cause you to favor one filter over another. No issues, no problem.

What causes you to feel that you need a low resistance filter?? Harrisburg's variable climate would probably have more impact that then variance in filter density.

 

[T-Keith]

Have you read the oil filter study link? The Purolator Premium plus OUTFLOWS the K&N, and is $3 to boot.

Like Gary said, no filter will restrict your pressure any significant amount, that's what the bypass valve is for.

 

[HACCOFFICER]

car is a 1999 olds cutlass 3100. The reason low restriction is important is for a couple reasons. My old car could lose 5 or more psi when using certain filters. I worry enough about my cars. A drop on oil pressure kills me. My current car has piston slap along with other noises, needs to get as much oil pressure as it can get.

 

[Russ300H]

High or increased oil pressure is not going to fix piston slap. Pistons like camshaft lobes are splash lubed, not pressure lubed like bearings.

A band-aid is the use of a thicker oil with any quality filter such as Purolator Premium Plus or Wix for example. Those can be had for 1/3 or less the cost of a K&N. I would try one of those and switch to a 15W40 diesel rated oil and see what happens.

I would also do a UOA on your present oil to get a handle on exactly what is happening in your engine. I'm not convinced you know for sure. What is the oil pressure before and after the drop between filters hot and cold? How do you determine? Factory gauges are notoriously inaccurate and my neighbors(same vintage)Cutlass didn't even have a gauge.

 

[Virtuoso]

Use anything but a Fram.

You oil pump dosen't care what filter is on the receving end; it is going to send you the same amount of oil either way.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

OEM would be my answer.

Motorcraft
AC Delco

.....should work well in your situation. Good for around 7.5K

 

[m2200b]

I use a purolator plus on the same 1996 old
cutlass supreme. They'll out filter and flow your K&N. Some don't like its thinner can metal
but your filter in the 3.1 is mounted in a protected location.