This filter doesn't fit any of my vehicles but I noticed that some boxes of ST3614 were shorter than others--to my suprise the box was the least of the differences. The base plate had several more holes than previous ST3614's and inside of the filter there was no metal tube with holes as 99% of the spin on filters I have seen. Instead there was a black plastic "cage" holding the filter element back--sort of like the inside of a ST9018 or equivalent filter. Very interesting and definitely worth checking out by you oil and oil filter junkies on this site. There were a few more differences but I wanted to leave you guys something to comment about. Gotta go
New design for Super Tech ST3614
- Thread starter liquidballbearing
- Start date
- Status
We have 'em here and I bet 95% of the people who use this filter won't even notice the difference--a trained BITOG eye would never miss this though.
Here's a couple preliminary pics. I had a hard time using my can opener to get the filter apart, so I had to do it the hard way. Unfortunately the filter got a little beat up in the process.
Looks like we're seeing a big change in filter manufacturing. According to their brochure the filter seems to be designed with two main objectives: eliminate contaminants and increase media area. These two things it seems to do.
Basically they've eliminated glue and metal from the inside of the filter. Another company has eliminated metal from it's filters, Fram. In Fram's case it seems to be for a cost advantage, in fact only their expensive filters have metal in them.
Fram's filters are obviously cheaper to manufacturer, and it has to be hurting Champion since their filter usually cost less.
I haven't made a judgment yet on this filter, I'll have a more detail report on my site soon.
It will be interesting to see if Champion Labs' other filters adapt this construction soon. Some new AC-delco filters have shown up, which look different from the normal Champion AC filters, perhaps they have switched suppliers?
-T
Looks like we're seeing a big change in filter manufacturing. According to their brochure the filter seems to be designed with two main objectives: eliminate contaminants and increase media area. These two things it seems to do.
Basically they've eliminated glue and metal from the inside of the filter. Another company has eliminated metal from it's filters, Fram. In Fram's case it seems to be for a cost advantage, in fact only their expensive filters have metal in them.
Fram's filters are obviously cheaper to manufacturer, and it has to be hurting Champion since their filter usually cost less.
I haven't made a judgment yet on this filter, I'll have a more detail report on my site soon.
It will be interesting to see if Champion Labs' other filters adapt this construction soon. Some new AC-delco filters have shown up, which look different from the normal Champion AC filters, perhaps they have switched suppliers?
-T
T, It will be interesting to see how high an oil temp the "thermally bonded" end caps and nylon core can take without deteriorating over an extended OCI.
Champion has good track record. I hope this is some good engineering on their part rather than bean counter driven changes.
It's also too bad they down sized the filters a bit, maybe not all bad because if you aren't presently using the biggest that will screw on, this might help you move up one size.
Champion has good track record. I hope this is some good engineering on their part rather than bean counter driven changes.
It's also too bad they down sized the filters a bit, maybe not all bad because if you aren't presently using the biggest that will screw on, this might help you move up one size.
I question this new design.It would seem that a plastic 'cage' would be unable to keep the filter material in its place.
From the pics,it would seem that the filter material could push through the gaps in the plastic cage.
I know that the timing gears in some engines are made with resin or a similar product but I am uneasy having a filter made with similar products.
While Fram makes filters with cardboard,a piece of cardboard is less likely to cause engine damage than a piece of resin or plastic is.
Some may say that this cant happen but considering the plastic 'cage' that is used,a jagged piece of resin could easily tear through the filter element and go into the engine and cause damage and or clog an oil path.
It looks like I will have to go to the Purolator made products when the ST 3387A changes to this new design.
From the pics,it would seem that the filter material could push through the gaps in the plastic cage.
I know that the timing gears in some engines are made with resin or a similar product but I am uneasy having a filter made with similar products.
While Fram makes filters with cardboard,a piece of cardboard is less likely to cause engine damage than a piece of resin or plastic is.
Some may say that this cant happen but considering the plastic 'cage' that is used,a jagged piece of resin could easily tear through the filter element and go into the engine and cause damage and or clog an oil path.
It looks like I will have to go to the Purolator made products when the ST 3387A changes to this new design.
Let the paranoia begin.
More filter media, less restriction to flow.
Plastic can take a lot more heat than 250f without even budging a bit. The increase in flow reduces oil pressure enough that the plastic inner core barely sees any force.
I think this is a great construction advance and hope all companies adopt it.
More filter media, less restriction to flow.
Plastic can take a lot more heat than 250f without even budging a bit. The increase in flow reduces oil pressure enough that the plastic inner core barely sees any force.
I think this is a great construction advance and hope all companies adopt it.
BMW, Mercedes, and VW have been using that filter design for the last couple of years. Go look at a VW VR6 oil filter cap, it's all NYLON! And Toyota/Denso's 90915-YZZBx series filters are built around a nylon cage. I used Denso's version of this on a Lexus V8 and a Cressida with no problems.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Messages
- 39,798
It appears so. This DOES eliminate glue. Thermal bonding ....
This is something that I never quite resolved in my head ...whether cardboard or metal ...don't they both use an adhesive to bond (as opposed to this thermal method)
Nylon is an extremely high temp plastic. The process temp is over 500 F in manufacturing. Nylon timing gears wore due to abrasion ..not thermal fatique. If their QC is adaquate on the given subcomponents ...there would be no reason to suspect they will have any more "risk" then the same component made of metal.
I mean ..are we upset mostly out of perception here??
I don't think this is great news or devastating news. Although some of the design is similar to Frams, the execution seems a lot better.
Like I said the plastic is being used in every brand for GM's Ecotec filter and the "foam" is similar to that used in VW diesel filter. The materials should be OK, design is still in question.
I would like to find the same 3387 filter as I've used in my study because the ADBV valve should be different.
-T
Like I said the plastic is being used in every brand for GM's Ecotec filter and the "foam" is similar to that used in VW diesel filter. The materials should be OK, design is still in question.
I would like to find the same 3387 filter as I've used in my study because the ADBV valve should be different.
-T
The new "Thermoplastic" cage should hold up very well. They should be good to 375 F or better before they even start to distort. The more open cage should allow better wetting areas for the filter. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Please explain how this is.The oil comes from the backside of the filter element,not the cage side.
While this new design may be fine,I prefer to wait and see.
I still don't see why it is 'evil' to use Fram,especially when you consider this new design by Champion.
As I said before,if this was Fram,would people be praising it?
I am not taking up for Fram,I am just wondering if they are getting a bad rap for nothing.
Good job T!!
These filters may be fine but if this was Fram doing such,how many would be praising them for it?
Considering this new construction,I see very little difference between this new design and Frams design.
Before anyone says that the 'new' design and the Fram design are completely different.
Are they really?
Has anyone cut open one of the filters made with nylon AFTER use?
Gary,I have seen plastic/resin/nylon parts that have been hot and then cooled down as a filters internals would,they can and DO give way to heat.
When they do,they can crack and break.
Gary,I have personally seen this,it does happen.
The pieces range from small to rather large.
Will this happen to the filters with the new design?
I don't know but it IS possible.
Considering such,I see very little reason not to use Fram.
I would think it would be as easy if not easier to bond paper to cardboard than paper to nylon.
It would seem that you would have just as good of a seal.
I don't use Fram and have not for quite some time,however,I used to use them quite often and the car I used them on had 169,000+ on it when I stopped driving it.As far as I know,it still runs.
It had never had any engine work done on it.
Maybe we have been making too much of a deal out of then Frams construction.
Considering that Champion used metal endcaps and if I am not mistaken,said it was superior to cardboard,they are using the plastic to cover themselves for making a CHEAPER filter and for making the comments against cardboard.
Now,some will say that this new design flows better.If we go back not long ago,Bob tested a Fram and it showed very little resistance to flow.
As I said,I see very little difference between Fram and the new design from Champion.
Considering this new construction,I see very little difference between this new design and Frams design.
Before anyone says that the 'new' design and the Fram design are completely different.
Are they really?
Has anyone cut open one of the filters made with nylon AFTER use?
Gary,I have seen plastic/resin/nylon parts that have been hot and then cooled down as a filters internals would,they can and DO give way to heat.
When they do,they can crack and break.
Gary,I have personally seen this,it does happen.
The pieces range from small to rather large.
Will this happen to the filters with the new design?
I don't know but it IS possible.
Considering such,I see very little reason not to use Fram.
I would think it would be as easy if not easier to bond paper to cardboard than paper to nylon.
It would seem that you would have just as good of a seal.
I don't use Fram and have not for quite some time,however,I used to use them quite often and the car I used them on had 169,000+ on it when I stopped driving it.As far as I know,it still runs.
It had never had any engine work done on it.
Maybe we have been making too much of a deal out of then Frams construction.
Considering that Champion used metal endcaps and if I am not mistaken,said it was superior to cardboard,they are using the plastic to cover themselves for making a CHEAPER filter and for making the comments against cardboard.
Now,some will say that this new design flows better.If we go back not long ago,Bob tested a Fram and it showed very little resistance to flow.
As I said,I see very little difference between Fram and the new design from Champion.
I'm not upset, are you?
Choice is good, Champion has given us another choice.
It all depends on how well they designed and built the filters. There are enough good filters an the market that I am perfectly willing to let others find out how good the new Champion filters are.
In this case, Champion may have become a leader in US filter manufacturing, or they may just be cutting corners. Time will tell.
MolaKule
Staff member
The new "Thermoplastic" cage should hold up very well. They should be good to 375 F or better before they even start to distort. The more open cage should allow better wetting areas for the filter.
I just picked up 3 of these filters at autozone for 1.99ea. Valucraft V3614
These filters feel much lighter than the ST3614 i have used. I think the new design is fairly good... certainly appears to flow better with the new plastic cage design, more holes, and has plenty of pleats in the media.
Still looks better than what fram has to offer...
These filters feel much lighter than the ST3614 i have used. I think the new design is fairly good... certainly appears to flow better with the new plastic cage design, more holes, and has plenty of pleats in the media.
Still looks better than what fram has to offer...
- Status
