I've been following this forum for a while now, and I thought I might sum up what I've learned, for the amusement and edification of all.
- Filtration efficiency is the most important thing about a filter.
- Flow is the most important thing about a filter.
- Build quality is the most important thing about a filter.
- You can tell certain filters are identical by opening them up and looking.
- You can't be sure filters are identical by opening them up and looking.
- Orange can Fram filters suck.
- There is nothing wrong with Fram orange can filters.
- Blue can Subaru filters suck.
- Blue can Subaru filters meet factory specs and are fine.
- Subaru bypass pressure spec is critical.
- Subaru bypass pressure spec is irrelevant.
- In general, the stock filter is best for your engine.
- Stock filters are generally the minimum acceptable quality, so aftermarket is the way to go.
- Champ ecore contributes to failure.
- Ecore filters are just fine and improve flow.
- Wix filters are the best choice for quality.
- Wix filters have quality problems and will tear.
- Purolator filters are reliable.
- Purolator filters are not reliable and will tear.
- Jobber filters' track record shows they are fine for modest OCIs.
- Don't ever use jobber filters; it's taking your engine's life in your hands.
- Cartridge filters, such as on Toyotas, are a functional regression.
- Cartridge filters are great because you don't need to cut open a filter to inspect it.
- Buying premium filters, even for short OCIs, is cheap insurance.
- Buying premium filters is a waste of money for short OCIs.
- Everything is about delta-p.