Napa Gold vs. Auto Extra from Rock Auto?

[JGmazda]

I've been lurking on this forum for a long time...Love it! I own a Miata and also subscribe to the Miata.net forum.

There's currently a thread posted that I have contributed pictures to: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=426763

I took the plunge and purchased a case of these filters.. They cost $2.15 per filter. For all practical purposes, they look very similar and (I believe) they are manufactured by the same company.

My question is... Are the Napa Gold's a much better filter? Can I get away with 5K OCI's for the Auto Extra?

Check out the thread and let me know you opinions. Thanks!

 

[chubbs1]

The NAPA Golds are no question a better constructed filter but...the Auto Extra's will go 5k OCI's. choice is yours

 

[Sayjac]

The Auto Extra looks like the Napa Pro Select, before some of them started showing with a nitrile combo valve.

The one in the pics looks good, but if the AE has some apps (including yours) with the combo valve, I'd pass. Just me.

 

[BIGDOC]

NAPA GOLD is a very good filter, it's your engine though.

 

[JGmazda]

I should mention that I have about 160K on my car. I've always used either Mobil 1, Pure One or Napa Gold filters.

At this point, I can't see why the the Auto Extra Filters would be detrimental. Maybe I'm wrong? I do understand the Gold's have a different media.

Maybe I jumped too soon on this deal...? But I can't see why they wouldn't be a decent filter?

 

[JGmazda]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
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The one in the pics looks good, but if the AE has some apps (including yours) with the combo valve, I'd pass. Just me.


Can you go into more detail? Why would that be a negative?

 

[kemo]

there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the Auto extra.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: JGmazda
Originally Posted By: sayjac
The one in the pics looks good, but if the AE has some apps (including yours) with the combo valve, I'd pass. Just me.

Can you go into more detail? Why would that be a negative?
Sure, below is a pic of an AE with a combo valve, from this thread. A nitrile combo valve combines the adbv and bypass in one, black lower right. I don't care for the nitrile/rubber combined to a bypass. Nitrile not as good as silicone for adbv, but when combined to the important bypass, makes it more critical to function correctly. If your filters come as shown in 'your' linked thread, then great, separate metal thread end bypass. A superior (and more expensive) design to the combo valve imo.

Here's some other threads posted here on the NPS with a combo valve. Make up your own mind. The last is the Google search of Bitog for more reading. HTH
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/failed-media-on-napa-pro-select-pics.149346/

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/problem-with-napa-pro-select-oil-filter.144556/

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/parts-master-61515-cut-open.149339/

Google search.

 

[sm00thpapa]

After seeing these combo valves in many wix, napa and carquest oil filters I'll stick with my P1, D+ and RP oil filters.

 

[JGmazda]

Sayjac- Thanks for the links and comments.

I think the best way to determine anything would be a used oil analysis. Based on the info I've read, the debate continues. One camp says they like the filters and they're well constructed. The other side has concerns about the one-piece anti-drain back valve.

So? I can't say anything more at this point. I don't have any real data. Maybe I'll use them for short OCI's etc...

Thanks Everyone for your comments!!

 

[Sayjac]

Based on your comments I'm assuming you got the ones with the nitrile combo valves. And at least one commenting and recommending the AE here didn't appear to understand that the nitrile combo valve combines the adbv with the bypass, based on a youtube video dissection stating the NPS had NO bypass. That's incorrect.

Top be clear I use filters with nitrile adbvs regularly, even though silicone is more durable for longer OCI's. I just prefer a separate bypass. And imo, it's difficult to dispute that a separate metal bypass is a superior design to the combo valve.

That said, your AE's could be fine for your oci's. Just with other choices with separate metal bypass, the NPS/AE with combo valve wouldn't be my choice. To each their own.

 

[kemo]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Based on your comments I'm assuming you got the ones with the nitrile combo valves. And at least one commenting and recommending the AE here didn't appear to understand that the nitrile combo valve combines the adbv with the bypass, based on a youtube video dissection stating the NPS had NO bypass. That's incorrect.


Don't shut off annotations... because the corrections have been made.

 

[JGmazda]

I cut a filter open today. Here's the link: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?p=5317734#post5317734

Interesting to see there were no holes in the (Not sure what they call it?) backing the drain-back. Media was just paper...