Thoughts on filter choice for the GM Vortech 5.3L

[RD_3]

Hey guys,

I have been researching the UPF48R filter; more or less an upgrade to the PF48, what would you compare it to? Would you pass on it for around $10 and go right to a D+, NP, or the upcoming Purolator Synthetic?

The application is for a brand new 2011 Chevy Suburban w/ the AFM Vortech 5.3. We are going to be running SN PU 5w30 after we dump the FF around 5k miles. 80/20 highway to city miles, 60 miles a day highway for the commute to work.

Thanks for your insight and thoughts guys...

 

[Bluestream]

Just about any filter will be fine, you dont need to spend a lot.

Convince me why I should use a high-quality filter

 

[yzerman]

Go to champlabs.com, and search there, should be helpful I would think.

 

[DavidZ28]

Don't do it! The UPF48R is a Corvette only filter. It has something to do with the check valve or lack thereof. My shop counter person has already left for the day so I can't ask him.
But I'll post later why this filter can't be used on anything other than a Corvette.

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

I stay with the PF48 on my Acadia. Easy to find, inexpensive, seems to be good quality.

 

[RoGuE]

I've been using a ACDelco PF61E for quite a while now on a 5.3L Tahoe and Suburban for while now, no issues.

 

[RoGuE]

I've been using a ACDelco PF61E for quite a while now on a 5.3L Tahoe and Suburban for while now, no issues.

 

[RD_3]

Thanks for the heads up! We have used NG's on most of our applications, just thinking if the 48R would have done anything. Well thanks for the advice guys.

 

[DavidZ28]

The UPF48R was made for the Corvette with the dry sump oil system. Since there is a check valve in the oil cooler the UPF48R was created and has no check valve. GM does not prohibit the use of this filter on non-Corvette applications but strongly recommends against it.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: DavidZ28
The UPF48R was made for the Corvette with the dry sump oil system. Since there is a check valve in the oil cooler the UPF48R was created and has no check valve. GM does not prohibit the use of this filter on non-Corvette applications but strongly recommends against it.


What do you mean by "check valve" - the bypass valve? All LSx Vette engines have the filter bypass valve built into the block, so nonee of the filters specified for these engines will have a bypass valve. They only have an ADBV.

 

[mount]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
What do you mean by "check valve" - the bypass valve? All LSx Vette engines have the filter bypass valve built into the block, so nonee of the filters specified for these engines will have a bypass valve. They only have an ADBV.


No dude, a ADBV is by definition, a check valve; hence what he was referring too.

A bypass valve is by no means a check valve.

Not knowing anything about the filter or LS vette motors, I'm not able to conclude which of the last two posters is wrong.

Miscommunication is how wars start people!

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: mount

No dude, a ADBV is by definition, a check valve; hence what he was referring too.

A bypass valve is by no means a check valve.

... well, the bypass valve is "technically" a check valve too because it can only flow in one direction.

 

[KevinsDMAX]

Wife has a '10 Suburban and I have been using Purolator Pure One PL 12222. How do these compair to the 48?

 

[rrounds]

Originally Posted By: KevinsDMAX
Wife has a '10 Suburban and I have been using Purolator Pure One PL 12222. How do these compair to the 48?

If you can fit a larger filter the Wix 51592 would be a good choice.
http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=51592

ROD

 

[blmlozz]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: DavidZ28
The UPF48R was made for the Corvette with the dry sump oil system. Since there is a check valve in the oil cooler the UPF48R was created and has no check valve. GM does not prohibit the use of this filter on non-Corvette applications but strongly recommends against it.


What do you mean by "check valve" - the bypass valve? All LSx Vette engines have the filter bypass valve built into the block, so nonee of the filters specified for these engines will have a bypass valve. They only have an ADBV.


my Tech that I take my car to mentioned the Napa Platinum filter I had on my LSA today and suggested I switch to the UPF48R as he's heard from the bulletin list that low quality filters are breaking-down and causing engine failure in some LS9's.. Now, aside from the fact that he wanted to talk filters with me and suggested the $13 platinum napa was of low quality (can't expect everything, but at least he's mentioning filters! I LS3 or other LS motors.

I love the idea of an ultra-premium OEM filter, but I have concerns as this appears to be a logical reason why you wouldn't want to use one in a wetsump LSx.
Are these OK to use in other LS motors? It's my understanding that the 'check valve's only purpose is to prevent dry starts yes?
The oil filters in all LSx's are mounted upside down vertically. So unless gravity inverts itself I'm assuming it's impossible to dry-start a LsX oil filter regardless if it has an ADBV or not.

Am I correct in my assumption? Or are you talking about the pressure bypass valve?

 

[blmlozz]

acutally here you go.

It's the pressure release valve.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-corvette-general-discussion/2452669-upf48r-oil-filters.html

seems like the new ones have pressure release valves but the initial ones did not.

obviously this *is* cause for concern but it appears it was changed eventually.

They are 100% OK to use I believe in light of this.

here's some more info from the bottom of that link,
Quote:

No lets get to the real answers of what is different. First off we are looking at a 09 LS9/LS7 filter all others came from the factory with the PF48. Now for some reason GM decided to not have a bypass valve in the filter until June 1 2009. Nothing has changed oil pan wise on the LS7 or LS9, it was a filter only change. The PF48 does have a bypass in it where as the UPF48R does not until the change on June 1 09. The bypass valve is obviously there for cold starts when it is cold outside or when someone does not change their oil and it start to thicken up. Now does this mean you should run the filter without the valve, it is up to you. Is it going to hurt your car, not if you live where it is warm and you change your oil regularly. If you live up north where it is freezing or you change your oil every 10,000 miles, then I would run the valve in the filter. We have now taken all of the non-valved filters off the shelf and we re order the new ones from GM. It looks like we had a mixture of them anyways. There was no word from GM that they were making this change or else we would have already done this.
Thanks


Now the more interesting question; I haven't seen one of these cut open.

Is this just a regular PF48 with beefed up internals or is this a synthetic/cellulose media like the old ultraguards.

Because this tech link article;
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/questions/740/2009%3A+TechLink+Article%3A+Oil+System+Changes+-+LS7+and+LS9

say's the internals are identical.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Interesting info in this post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1571911112-post30.html

Then there's this post that says the LS2 has the bypass valve in the block ... confusing info.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1571912723-post34.html

I've never heard that GM stopped using the filter bypass in the block starting in 2005 with the LS2 engines. Guess I'm not keeping up enough with the LS engine platform.

 

[MetalSlug]

Correct me if im wrong , by the look at these filter mount , it appear dont need ADBV type filter. Im currently using purolator classic 3.24 at walmart on my 2000 gm 5.3L

 

[Eddie]

With all the guessing, it seems that we should contact GM via email and get an answer in writing as to the correct filter.

 

[steve20]

the R in UPF48R is the racing (track) version of the Ultraguard Gold
They also make a UPF48--without the R