Opinions on best "cheap" filter

[timzak]

Until Bob's cool oil filter test is completed, I'd like opinions on the following "cheap" filters:
AC Delco
Fram
Purolator
STP
Motorcraft

Which do you prefer and why?

Thanks.

 

[Pablo]

I like the Motorcraft FL-1A. Bob has not tested this one yet. $2.78 at WalMart.

Low apparent restriction, catches necessary chunks.

 

[mikemc]

I like Motorcraft because they are spec for my Ranger and $2.77 everyday can't be beat. Advance regularly puts the Purolator on sale for $2.50 and that would be my second choice.

 

[labman]

AC Delco Tops in filter area of anything I have cut open

Purolator---Both middle range along with Hastings
STP---------and Power Flo. ST close behind and ------------cheapest of all.

Motorcraft--No data, no opinion

Fram--------1/3 filter area of AC, 1/2 cheaper ------------ST's

Since I can't find the right AC's for my truck, I am using ST's They are cheaper than everything else and about as good, better than Fram. Some of the stuff I have read here suggests that all the oil filters are way above what the engine actually needs, so why not use the fairly good, cheap ST's?

 

[Patman]

Supertech is identical to the STP, so it's probably your best choice in low cost filters

 

[Spector]

Am I mistaken as I thought the Motorcraft (being a Purolator Pure one guts) had poor flow in Bob's test?

 

[Pablo]

Yes, Spector the Motorcraft model he tested (don't remember the #) had poorish flow early in his testing. I was speaking of the FL-1A, which on my vehicles shows no signs of restriction. Not sure the deltas between the two....but the FL-1A is larger.

 

[timzak]

I use the FL-1A on my Mustang.

Question, for my Hyundai, I noticed the STP version of my size does NOT have the little spring mechanism down at the bottom of the hole, but looks like that spring is on all the other brands. Is that the bypass valve? Is it a big deal if it's not there?

Thanks.

 

[Al]

quote:

---

Originally posted by timzak:
I use the FL-1A on my Mustang.

Question, for my Hyundai, I noticed the STP version of my size does NOT have the little spring mechanism down at the bottom of the hole, but looks like that spring is on all the other brands. Is that the bypass valve? Is it a big deal if it's not there?

Thanks.

---

If you look very closely at the bottom of the filter you will see round metal cutouts.They are about 1/8 " in diameter. The metal on the inside of the filter deforms allowing oil to pass through the holes. I really don't like this setup.

 

[timzak]

Al, I'm talking about the "top" of the filter. If you look through the hole at the bottom of the filter, there's a spring all the way up at the inside top of the filter. What is that and why do some filters (same size, different brand) not have it?

Thanks!

 

[TR3-2001SE]

I perfer the Purolator. It has always showed to be good quality in all the filter test, cut open and analyze links I have found. It also is available at my favorite auto parts store advance which offer lifetime warranties on all their parts. I drive cars to around 300,000 miles so
a warranty when I replace parts is necessary for
me. I think the Pureone is tops in filters! Lots of feedback from various forums on this one.

 

[Samurai Hamster]

I also vote purolator. I have used them a lot in the past, then for some reason, I didn't grow a brain and used Frams for a while.
Then I started researching why I got valvetrain clatter on cold starts on three different vehicles when I used Fram filters. Thus, I went to WIX/NAPA. Purolator is a close second and I use those whenever I cannot get the WIX filter for my rig.

 

[Al]

quote:

---

Originally posted by timzak:
Al, I'm talking about the "top" of the filter. If you look through the hole at the bottom of the filter, there's a spring all the way up at the inside top of the filter. What is that and why do some filters (same size, different brand) not have it?

Thanks!

---

O.K. If you look into the large hole (Filter outlet-your bottom)-The spring you see at the "top" inside of the filter is the bypass valve. The Supertech has very small "holes" that have a metal backing. Its just a different type of bypass valve.

 

[Jimbo]

Pep Boys Proline, identical to Purolator Premium plus for about a buck less.

 

[timzak]

Thanks, Al. I thought that was a bypass valve, just wasn't sure and didn't want to make an a** of myself.

What I did NOT know was that there was a different type of bypass valve that the STP uses.

I'm learning a lot here, but still have a long way to go. I'm just figuring out that STP and Supertech are one and the same.

 

[FordManVT]

The FL-1A filter is awesome. Been using it along time, and I also like the increase in capacity it gives me.