Using a larger oil filter? God or bad?

[gfh77665]

I don't know about a large filter being "God". It might be really "good", but definitely not a "God".

(J/K, check the title!)

 

[Volvohead]

As long as it fits, we've substituted FL-1As for it's little brother FL-300s whenever the opportunity arises. Never had a problem and the extra capacity never hurts.

 

[armos]

Many different GM engines came originally with a PF47 filter but nowadays they list the PF52 as a valid replacement.
Some model years of the 2.5L "iron duke" 4cyl engines only had a 3qt capacity. A few years later, when neglected engines ran low on oil and started snapping connecting rods, they respecced them for a PF52 and recalled the dipstick to bring it up to 4qts.
Besides more capacity, a larger filter is also easier to remove and install. So as long as it doesn't hit anything I'd always use the larger size.