Service Champ High Performance Synthetic HP4459, unexpected find

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Oct 3, 2023
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I bought these recently after my potential disappointment with the FRAM Endurance FE9688 that came out of my WRX, filter C&P which is posted in another thread. With the Endurance now gone from Walmart I thought I'd give Premium Guard made filters a try. Scored a case of 12 for around 35 bucks but usually the average price per case is around 60 dollars or more.

This filter came with an unexpected surprise, It has full synthetic media with a mesh backing instead of the usual syn-blend media PG uses, very surprising for a jobber filter. Date code format is a little different as well. Only one sample came with a dent out of the 12. If you guys think I should cut it open, let me know and I will cut it tonight.


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sweet! Yeah, maybe cut that one with a ding on the side?
Do they offer a wide variety of model numbers under this HP line that you know of?
 
Most Service Champ filters have been made by Champion Labs in past years. What indicates this one is made by Premium Guard? Champion has had a plant in China now for about 8 years.
 
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Glenda, that indicates Champion makes some filters for the Premium Guard brand, as it does for the other brands. For less than $3 apiece, the OP got a real bargain.
 
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Alright, here's the autopsy. Very good assembly quality, counted 56 pleats! There is a metal crimp seam on the inside facing the inner tube like how many PG filters are assembled. Media element height is 2 inches tall from endcap to endcap. As expected the can is thick like many PG made filters and comes with a coil spring.

Since this is a multi-vehicle spec filter it's bypass rating isn't going to be as high as a Subaru OEM one.
I measured a opening valve diameter of 3/8" of an inch and valve starts to crack open when applying 2 or more pounds of force. Estimating around 18 PSI when the valve starts to open.

Its sightly taller than both the Toyota and Subaru OEM filters roughly 3-1/8" inches high. Also fits on the same filter wrench cap as the OEM filters, 80mm 15 flute size.

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Alright, here's the autopsy. Very good assembly quality, counted 56 pleats! There is a metal crimp seam on the inside facing the inner tube like how many PG filters are assembled. Media element height is 2 inches tall from endcap to endcap. As expected the can is thick like many PG made filters and comes with a coil spring.

Since this is a multi-vehicle spec filter it's bypass rating isn't going to be as high as a Subaru OEM one.
I measured a opening valve diameter of 3/8" of an inch and valve starts to crack open when applying 2 or more pounds of force. Estimating around 18 PSI when the valve starts to open.

Its sightly taller than both the Toyota and Subaru OEM filters roughly 3-1/8" inches high. Also fits on the same filter wrench cap as the OEM filters, 80mm 15 flute size.

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Amazing looking filter and finally another wire backed option!! Definitely PGI made. Where did you buy the case? And do they have a 7317 equivalent?
 
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Appears to be a well made filter. It's a Highline Warren filter so a PGI filter. Wondering if this a one-off application. Mesh backed synthetic media a surprise for sure. Unless available in smaller quantity for reasonable price, wouldn't work for me.

As for any comparison to FE, 'for me' there is none. Current bypass piece seal area of the latter is a fail, and that's with or without the recent pics showing potting area pleat stress. Topic filter has endcap integral bypass, so imo far superior to Champ Labs seal area on FE and others.

The Service Champ name has long been associated with Champ Labs. If this an indication seems those days over.

Thanks for c&p.
 
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