New Member with AC Delco Oil Filters Questions?

[gradymotorco]

Hello. I've got several GM Cars (1975 Corvette, 1981 Seville, 1981 Delta 88, 1999 Camaro, 1999 Park Avenue) and have always used the correct AC-Delco oil filter, typically with Mobil (Not Mobil 1) 10W30. I've been reading that apparently GM has divested its Filter plant, and is buying its filters from Champ Labs, and that the current AC-Delco filter line are all "E-Core" filters, which, are of debatable quality. My questions are;

1. Are all AC-Delco Oil Filters E-Cores?

2. Should I change Oil Filter Brands?

Oh, typically my Oil Change Interval is 3000 miles, if that makes any difference.

Thanks, Dave

 

[Drew99GT]

Actually AC Delcos are made by both Champ Labs and Delphi. So many of the Champ Labs filters are E-Core, but not all of them. The ones for Japanese vehicles are usually not E-Core, but I think most all the GM applications are.

The older Champ filters and Delphi based filters are not E-Core,

One of the regular members here by the handle BillinUtah has used many E-Core filters (all Supertech) on his GM vehicles, cut them open, and posted pictures here. Some as far out as 6,000 miles. In all instances, the filters were built well with no problems at all.

I don't think you should necessarily change, but if you don't like them, there's plenty of other filters to choose from! Just stay away from Fram.

 

[gradymotorco]

Oh, I'm certainly not going to the Orange Can of Death . I was thinking something along the lines of possibly a Powerflo or Napa Proselect line filter. But, if ACDelco is still okay, I'm going to stick with 'em.

Dave

 

[JohnBrowning]

It used to be that the Delphi filters where the ones on the vechile at time of assembly but usualy all aftermarket AC/Delco are Champion Labs. So rearely does one find a Delphi filter on the retail side of things that it is like looking for gold in a manuaer pile sure you never know what is in their but it is unlikely that a gold nuget will be found their! Once GM went to the smaller size filters across the board and started elimanateing a huge chunk of their filter's I think that was a since that delphi was out of the game. Not 100% sure but that is what I am thinking. I am sure you noticed how much smaller all the filter got a few years ago and how some sizes went away all together from Delco! I would not worry about it really. I have used a bunch of E-COre filters and all of them have done just fine and I cannot imagine anything you own builds more oil pressure then my imports! If you decide to go else ware for filters Puralators are well built and reasonably priced and you also had Donaldson,Baldwin and Hastings as well.

 

[Drew99GT]

I've converted to the Napa Proselect - great price and one of the beefiest constructed filters.

 

[Jimmy9190]

+1 on the Napa ProSelect. It's a great filter for the price.

 

[gradymotorco]

Well, if both SuperTech and AC-Delco use the same basic filter construction, is there enough difference in quality to make the AC-Delco worth buying?

Dave

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: gradymotorco
Well, if both SuperTech and AC-Delco use the same basic filter construction, is there enough difference in quality to make the AC-Delco worth buying?

Dave


Some of the AC Delcos have silicon ADBVs. My PF-52 does. No silicon ADBV on the Supertech crossover filters.

So probably the best remedy would be to open boxes of the AC and whatever other brand that interests you - for a eye-to-eye comparison.

Personally, I like the Ecore plastic cages. I haven't seen one that melts, cracks or breaks.

 

[gradymotorco]

Not to open up a huge can of worms, but what good does an ADBV do anyhow? And is it a required feature for a 3800 V6?

Dave

 

[chad_55]

What kind of “debatable quality” issue concerns are there with the E-Core Filters? I have used these filters and haven’t had any problems with them.
Thanks,
Chad

 

[gradymotorco]

I said "debatable quality" based on some threads I had read before I joined the board. I think that there was some talk about the plastic cage having the potential for causing trouble, but I have not heard anything about an actual failure of an E-Core. I do still plan on using them, though.

Dave

 

[Gary Allan]

The main controversy surrounding the onset of the Ecore line was due to a quick lube owner ..named lube owner. He found a series of compromised Warner filters in his routine de-canning process of disposal of filters. The Warner line was designed for the trade/quick lube market and had no advertising budget. It was comparable to ST. It employed the "clicker" bypass valve modality that was suggested as being unreliable. This was bolstered by the lack of any insult to the Warner filters that were without bypass valves used on GM vehicle. I rejected this notion in that many members, including myself, had used the clicker type for 5000+ miles without incident.

The Ecore was in production at this time and had a few fitment issues in the initial offerings. The felt/composite end membrane wasn't bonding properly. This probably wasn't any issue of merit since the entire assembly is forced together by fluid ingress against the combo ADBV/bypass valve. Otherwise, the design was pretty innovative, imo.

Then one member, who had an extreme big block Chevy had his engine destroyed by an Ecore. He had, as many Chevy engine builders do, defeated the in block bypass valve. Revving the cold motor with heavy oil and the pump in relief produced excessive PSID and collapsed/fractured the composite center tube and, due to its open design, allowed a "sail" of media to block the filter outlet. While this probably would not have happened with a conventional metal center tube, the practice of defeating the bypass mechanism was the cause of his failure. Not the filter.