Magnefine vs. Spin on Kit

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I'm thinking of adding a remote transmission filter on my Sebring. It will be installed shortly after a pan drop and complete fluid and factory filter change.

I've looked for info by searching this site (and Googled), but does anyone prefer Magnefine over one of the other kits (B&M or Perma Cool, which provide a location to use a spin on filter)? Is the Magnefine finer filtering? I can add a hard drive magnet to the spin on.

Thanks
 
A Magnefine is about the same absolute filtering ability as an engine oil filter, plus the magnetic capability. I think the way the magnet on the Magnefine is designed (a flow director to bring the oil in close proximity to the magnet) will do a better job at collecting ferrous particles than magnets on a spin on because one is purpose built and the other an add-on. No proof of that but it's at least an educated guess from having studied this situation. Plus, the Magnefine has a bypass... something you absolutely have to have on the filter or filter base if you want to use a spin-on. You can use a spin-on hydraulic filter, which are typically
The Magnefine has the advantage of easy installation and low cost. The spin on may have finer filtration (esp. a hyd. filter) and certainly has more capacity. Installation may be tricky at initial cost may be higher for the spin on kit.

I have used also the Racor LFS trans filter kit and it has a 10 micron (abs.) synthetic media spin-on filter. I tested an LFS on one truck and the Magnefine on another and the results were similar. Remember the typical make up of ATF contaminants... about 51 percent iron... so the magnet is a big part of the Magnefine's advantage.

In the end, I think it will pretty much be a toss up. My advice is to judge it by how hard the installation will be. The main thing is, either way you go, you are going to add a lot to the life of your trans and the oATF, so on behalf of all automatics, thanks!

Test Results:

I have tested the Magnefine and it reduced the ISO cleanliness code of the oil in the trans of my '05 F150HD from an already clean 15/14/12 (it was a fairly fresh change right after I bought it with 7K miles) to 13/12/9. That's an 81 percent reduction in contaminants in 2200 miles. I installed a Racor LFS spin-on filter kit in my old '86 Ford diesel, which has a 10 micron (absolute) filter and it dropped from a 16/15/13 (again, fairly fresh oil) to a 15/14/11 in only 274 miles, a 66 percent reduction in contaminants.
 
I would go with the Magnefine for ease of installation.

I've put on two spin-on kits now and I think they're just a PITA. I got them thinking that they would be a better long term option b/c you can change the filters more easily and far more cheaply. However, they're just a hassle to put in. You have to not only find space for it under the hood but find space for it that you can also route the lines to and change the filter. That's not easy on cramped modern cars. Then you can expect to need extra hose b/c the kits don't include much and you can also expect at least one trip to the hardware store to pick up extra brass do-dads like elbow pieces etc. While I'm happy with my installations, both took all day while a Magnefine would have taken like 15min.

On the side, heat is a bigger transmission killer than fine debris so I would strongly consider a cooler too. If you could only do one, extra cooling will serve you better than extra filtering but there's no reason you can't have both!
 
Magnefines are pretty easy to install. Having installed two of them, they do take some initial figuring where they're placed. Each one took half an hour to 45 minutes to install, figuring out where in the lines to put it. The actual installation after the mental sweat was fairly easy, without much line cutting. It helps to have some small sockets and lots of extensions.
 
If you want to go spin-on, NorthernTool has the best price I've found for mount w/filter included. Your replacements will be (probably) at NAPA if you don't find some fleet/industrial distributor. Item #4020

I think that pressure tap would work okay as a temp sender location.

4020_lg.jpg


Magnefine's are great when you've got little room and need a compact package ....or just don't need a HONKIN' spin-on handing around.
 
I have a Racor LFS I bought for my Vic. I still have not gotten around to installing it since I cant figure out where to put it. When I bought it I hadnt actually looked where I planned to install it. Turned out Ford moved the A/C accumulator there in '03.

If you want a spin on, make sure you have room for it.
 
The one I cut open (didn't know the thing would actually spin apart) had what appeared to be a reinforced cartridge. IIRC, the flow went inside out (it was a while ago) and the magnet was a washer that sat on the inlet end. It had a sprung bypass "cup" on the other end. Full featured compact device.
 
Can't beat the spin on if you have the room. Adds fluid capacity and filtration from whatever brand of oil filter you want to use.
And, add any stick-on magnet gives it the same benefit as the Magnefine. Anyone want to wager which filter media has better absolute numbers? Magnefine? Amsoil? RoyalPurple? Pureone? .....

If you have the room, remotely mount an oil filter. If you don't, get the Magnefine.

Remember, remotely mounted oils filter allows multiple sizes/capacities choices. You can use a small PH3614 filter, step up to a quart sized FL1a, or even the 2-quart 51773. You can even use the bypass benefits of a Stilco or Traco.
 
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I think the edge goes to the Magnefine.
Much easier to install, and probably costs much less.
How would you install one on late model car with the hard plastic lines and snap together connectors? Ford.
 
I'm going to hijack this thread for a minute. Though my question is related to the comparable cost of the two filter types.

How often do either of these filters need to be changed?

Compared to an engine, I find it hard to imagine a transmission putting out enough junk to fill up either filter especially a large spin-on. However, the media can't last forever exposed to pressure and heat cycles day in and day out. Permacool suggests a 50,000 mile interval with no mention of time. This could be an awful long time on standard oil filter that's only worth a few bucks. Magnefine recommends every 12 months (tested up to 30,000 miles). So what's the general consensus? How long is a filter going to hold up?

Obviously, the shorter the change interval, the higher the cost of the Magnefine relative to the spin-on.
 
Flow is important. If the spin on is restricting in any way, this has to be considered.
If the spin on filter is from the factory, great!

Our old trans rebuilder would not warranty the transmissions unless a Magnefine was in line, BTW.
 
blue94, When in doubt, change it out. Why use a cheap oil filter? Pay a little more and go the 50k without worry.
Plus, even with all the heat cycles, flow, and pressure, even a generic oil filter should have no problem lasting 50k+ as an ATF filter.

I haven't seen a spin-on cause any flow restrictions. Plenty of flow even if there was a catastrophe that caused it to clog up. Most spin-on kits use a filter with a bypass.

Some Subarus and Saturns came with a pint sized spin on ATF filters. Anyone want to guess what the filters' change interval was?
 
If there's space, I'd run a spin-on with a PL30001/FL-1A sized filter, and change it every 1 - 2 years depending on annual mileage. If space is in short supply, a Magnefine will do the job as well.
 
Oh, I didn't mean to imply that I use a cheap filter just that they're all only a few bucks really. Even if you ran a Pureone for only a year, it's only about 50-60 cents/month.

I just don't know why Magnefine gives a time suggestion while Perma-cool doesn't. I imagine the media in a Magnefine is a cellulose base like most oil filters. And for me, 50k miles would be about 5 years with the same filter. I'm currently at two or three years on my current filter and my BITOG OCD is making me nervous though there's probably no logical reason that it should. I know I'm gona end up changing it this weekend, logical or not, but I'm curious what others are doing.
 
Originally Posted By: unDummy

Some Subarus and Saturns came with a pint sized spin on ATF filters. Anyone want to guess what the filters' change interval was?




100k or never...

I like a spin on for ease of change...but most cars don't have the room.
 
Last edited:
I'd guess your average car could go ~2 years or 25k miles with a Magnefine. After the first use, I'd have no problems extending the interval out to 40-50k miles.

Whichever system you choose, change the filter early the first time. It'll catch a lot of stuff that first time, and less stuff as time goes on.
 
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