Thoughts on filter choice for the GM Vortech 5.3L

[blmlozz]

Originally Posted By: steve20
the R in UPF48R is the racing (track) version of the Ultraguard Gold
They also make a UPF48--without the R

They don't make any ultraguard gold filters, the UPF48R is the only one left in production (and even that's in question). To my knowledge the line was discontinued quite some time ago. If you follow the old link to the product page it'll redirect you to their 'blue' professional filter line
http://www.acdelco.com/html/pi_filt_oil_gold_main.htm

anything left over for sale these days is NOS.

 

[steve20]

I think the NOS is only 2-3 years old though. The "gold" in the name was added at a later date. When they first came out they were called "Ultraguard". If I had a plain Ultraguard I would consider it NOS

 

[ufbbc]

Wix 51522. It is what I use on my 2004 5.3L. Unless specs have changed. It is slightly larger than the actual specified filter.

 

[isercastik]

I buy Bosch. Easy to find and pretty [censored] good. I usually pay $5 a piece

 

[kemo]

Originally Posted By: ufbbc
Wix 51522. It is what I use on my 2004 5.3L. Unless specs have changed. It is slightly larger than the actual specified filter.


They have definitely changed. Needs metric threads and the filters have bypass valves.

 

[hattaresguy]

I wouldn't over think it. Just use a quality filter that's the right size and it will run to you sell it or junk it.

99.9999% of drivers don't really put enough mileage on a motor to ever really wear it out. If you plan on driving 40k-50k a year and want to push off the time to rebuild past 400k-500k than you should look at bypass filtration and forget about the little larger spin on.

If your like most 10k-15k a year drivers don't worry about it, it will be 20 years before you get to any kind of mileage that makes a difference and by than the rest of the vehicle is shot.