Never heard that the 820 was changing manufacturer.
Seem I did hear about the OEM filter maker changing (made by Champ now instead of Wix?).
OEM from factory and Motorcraft are not the same filter.
I had an Ecogard S4651 off my F150 posted
HERE.
While iIt was a decent filter, I personally feel it is priced too high a the current $6.80 from Walmart (and over $10 on Amazon). It is $3.56 currently on Rockauto, but you need to ad in shipping costs for that.
I feel it is on par with a Fram ToughGuard, which is priced about the same at Walmart, and readily available.
For the ST2, I am just not a fan of the combo valve (ADV and bypass in one). While I can't prove anything wrong with them, I just don't like them. I have used both the Wix (old ST) style and Champ (new ST) style, and again, no issues with the combo valve, but not a fan.
I have always liked Wix and NAPA Gold, but they are costly as well (no NAPA around me has a sale ever it seems).
And after having had a torn Purolator made filter, and seeing all the others, no Purolator made filters for me.
I have a few TG2 left in my stash, and when those are gone, not sure what I will get. I know it will not be a Motorcraft 820 (or any other Purolator made filter), no ST2, nor a Wix/NAPA Gold (unless I find them for under $5).
For the price and my needs, it will truthfully probably be a PH2 (unless I decide to get a XG2 and run it for 4-5 years(, unless I find the Ecogard S4651 for <$4 total cost, then I will buy a few of them instead.
