Originally Posted by PimTac
Farnsworth,
Regarding the baseplate flexing, I don't see it happening. This is not a lid off of a soup can. From looking at the holes the metal appears to be around 1/16" thick. Diameter of the baseplate is 3-9/16". Total filter height is 2-â…".
The baseplate is stamped and is concave in appearance. There is a ridge stamped around the circumference. I don't know how thick the can steel is but I cannot make it bend in any way. Then there is the center tube which further reinforces the structure.
This is supposedly a Roki filter but as I mentioned in a previous comment, Roki and Denso may have a Joint operation going at the Thailand plant. I don't have confirmation on that though.
The base plate is like a nut threading on a bolt. When the gasket touches the engine mount, pressure on the base plate increases until the filter is installed. More turning means the base is turning on the thread and advancing X amount, while the gasket is hitting the solid mount. The base plate will bend until the end of the thread is reached if enough power is put on it. The can is just carried along crimped to the base plate. Center tube us riding along too. I am not knocking your filter since it is a Mazda product. Some base plates like Fram HP or some Champ Labs , built like a gorilla, very thick. I think Motorking said theirs was almost 1/4" thick.