SuperTech Oil Filters

[LarryM]

There's been a lot of comments about the value of SuperTech oil filters - decent quality and low cost. But it's what's inside that matters.

I cut open a SuperTech ST6607, which is the filter for my Mazda, and a Mazda US OEM filter, made by Tennex, which is what I've been using.

I'm sticking with the Tennex. The filter element in the SuperTech was significantly smaller than the element in the Tennex. It was probably 40% smaller. And it wasn't because of the small size - there was room in the SuperTech for a considerably larger element. There were also more, and more uniform pleats in the Tennex filter element. The SuperTech bypass valve was not as well designed or constructed as the Tennex.

 

[dragboat]

Did that particular Super Tech have a Black or a Blue case ?

New black cases, the same number advertises synthetic media in the black case filter.The blue Filter was not advertised that way.

It might be possible they did not fill it full of media so it would still flow well ,,just speculation though.

I am on the hunt for a Motorcraft and a Baldwin to look at . That same filter fits Kia Rio and Miatas,the factory Kia's have Asian writing on them

Patman looked up a long style Pure One for me. Same relief pressure as stock

[ September 24, 2002, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: dragboat ]

 

[metroplex]

The Supertech shell is also thinner than the Penske and Motorcraft filters.

It failed my thumb test, that's for sure (ST2, ST8A, and ST16).

ST2 is for Ford 4.6L SOHC V8s
ST8A is for Ford 302s/351s 4.9L I6s, etc etc etc

ST16 is for 1989-1991 Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptors with the oil cooler and 351W. It's like 1/2 the height of a ST8A - that's all.
I use it on my T-bird because my Hellwig anti-roll bar is so thick that my stock oil filter no longer fits!!! lol

For value - I dunno anymore... I don't think I'll ever buy them again.

I'll use up my Penske supply (****it K-mart, why'd you have to go with Fram now... Wix made the best Penske filters) and then switch back to Motorcraft.

 

[LarryM]

1. The SuperTech was one of the new black ones. There was room for a larger filter element, if they had wanted to put one.

2. I also cut open a new Motorcraft FL1A and a Baldwin B2. The Baldwin won that. The Baldwin was a sturdier filter than the Motorcraft (Purolator Premium Plus, I believe) and it had a larger filter element with tighter, more evenly spaced folds. Coil spring in the top instead of the cheap sheet metal spring, and a tough, epoxy paint job.

 

[metroplex]

Super Tech: $2/filter
Motorcraft: $3/filter
baldwin: $$? ???

The Motorcraft is a PureOne in a Premium Plus shell/casing IIRC.

 

[LarryM]

To Metroplex:

1. Baldwin price $3.91

2. I didn't say it very well, but I've read the Minimopar study that promoted the idea that the Motorcrafts were really PureOnes. The Motorcraft that I opened wasn't a PureOne - it didn't look anything like the open PureOne in my neighborhood auto parts store. On the other hand, it looked very much like the Premium Plus.

 

[dragboat]

Larry, I agree on the Motorcraft.

Those Tennex filters are great quality. By chance do you know if they make filters that are branded under other names?

But the way,I noticed what you are speaking about on the Supertech number you posted,they are shorter than the factory Kia, Miata filters as well.

These filters are somewhat a mystery.

[ September 26, 2002, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: dragboat ]

 

[Al]

I'd have to say that I liked the Supertech. The number of pleats was about the same as K&N. The efficiency is as good or better than anyone's. The shell thickness at .014" was thicker than the Pure One's (paper thin .009") and thicker than most filters. I've cut open a bunch. Only K&N and Mobil 1 (.019") were thicker. The pleats were nice and even. Also they are partially synthetic.

 

[ssmokn]

I recently cut open a new Motorcraft FL820-S and the equivalent SuperTech ST2 (the black version).

Both filters appear to be well made. The Motorcraft media did not look like a Purolator Pure One media that I cut open in the past. It is definitely a Purolator (has the string around the pleats but I doubt it was a Pure One.

The SuperTech actually had more pleats and they were more uniform. I can't comment on the filtering capabilities of the media because I have no way to compare.

I wouldn't hesitate to use either one of these filters.

I also have some Amsoil SDF-11 (equivalent to the filters above). I haven't cut one open yet but I did notice the Amsoil (made by Baldwin I believe) has the bypass valve on the bottom of the filter where the Motorcraft and the Supertech have it at the top.

I bought more Supertechs tonight and these appear to be the "new design" that was mentioned in another post. The internal spring is gone and the inside of the filter looks quite a bit different. I'll have to hack one of these open too when I get a chance.

 

[worriedboutoil]

I use the SuperTech ST6607 on two cars we own. I do not know if they are better ,worse or not. But I do know the Miata can set for weeks and the drainback thing seems to be holding well.No noise on start up. I like the price too!

 

[Al]

quote:

---

Originally posted by worriedboutoil:
I use the SuperTech ST6607 on two cars we own. I do not know if they are better ,worse or not. But I do know the Miata can set for weeks and the drainback thing seems to be holding well.No noise on start up. I like the price too!

---

I may be incorrect, but as I recall the 6607 is a very tiny filter. I believe you should be able to substitute a larger filter.

 

[dragboat]

Al.It is a tiny thing! How would a guy find a larger one in that brand? Reason I ask,my Son is a Miata owner.

Aaahhh,I think I remember a post with Champions phone number,will try that way

 

[csandste]

On my Elantra it calls for a SuperTech 2808, but a Fram 6607. I always insist that Wal-Mart substitute a ST for a Fram on their oil changes. Why Fram calls for a 6607 is beyond me. Once the tech mis-read and put a ST 6607 on my call pointing out that I'd been using the wrong filter on his comment sheet. WRONG

That 6607 is TINY. I wouldn't use it if a 2808 physically fit.

 

[joee12]

I had a 1993 Ford Escort GT. The escort had the 1.8 Miata engine in it and it called for that same filter, Fram 6607. I used to run the Purolater or Quaker State(purolater made) equivalent. When I gave the car to my sister at 120,000 miles, it still ran strong using these small filters and 3000 mile changes. Never had a problem. Knowing then what I have recently learned on this board, I would have found a bigger filter.

-Joe

 

[Patman]

Joe, I had a 95 Escort GT, and when it was originally purchased, it was my sister's car. I did all her oil changes, and always thought that oil filter had to be the smallest passenger car filter made. When I bought the car, I looked into larger filters, and found out that I could use the same filter that goes on my mom's 94 Probe GT, which is a lot bigger. I went with the PureONE PL14620 from that point on, and slept much better at night. The OEM size Escort GT filter reminded me of a thimble it was so tiny!

 

[Al]

I believe that is correct The PL 14620 will work, so will the M1-110 or the K&N 1010. I'll check the Cross reference book (Purolator) at Advance tomorrow. If I don't get back email me at [email protected] Some times I forget things.

BTW I'm certain the relief settings on all these filters is 14-18 psi.

 

[Patman]

Yep, both the 14622 and 14620 have a 14-18psi relief.

The 14622 is 2.70 x 2.98

The 14620 is 2.70 x 3.57

That extra half inch in length is a huge difference on such a small filter!

I actually found the 14620 back then by looking in the back of a Purolator catalog at my local store. I'm so glad I have my own copy now.

 

[Al]

Dragboat: The 6607 should be able to be replaced by the Fram, 7317 (not recommended), Purolator PL 14620 (not recommended due to thin wall and the head of the filter is very convex and is close to bottoming on the engine male threads, K&N HP1010, Mobil 1-110.

 

[tgharch]

I have a '99 Mazda Protege. Most all filter applications call for it to have the smaller, Miata sized filter. The Mazda dealer parts dept. has told me that the filter for the V6 626 is the same filter as for the Protege and Miata only a bit longer. The bypass settings are the same for both the long and short filters.

He stated the only reason that the smaller one was even made was for some Miata year models with tight access to the oil filter. As a matter of fact when I go to the Mazda parts counter for a Protege filter, they automatically give me the larger filter. I have been using the longer filter for some time with no ill effects.

 

[csandste]

He stated the only reason that the smaller one was even made was for some Miata year models with tight access to the oil filter. As a matter of fact when I go to the Mazda parts counter for a Protege filter, they automatically give me the larger filter. I have been using the longer filter for some time with no ill effects.

This, I'm afraid, is the reason for much of the spec'ing of tiny filters. It's all about ease of parts supplies and little to do with protecting engines.