[WolfPlayer]

I reviewed the following filters ...

STANDARD REPLACEMENT FILTERS
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Subaru OEM 15208AA080
Purolator PureONE PL14612
Purolator Premium Plus L14612
ProLine PPL14612
TotalGrip (Advance Auto) AA6607
MotorCraft FL-816
K&N HP-1008
Mobil 1 M1-108
STP S6607
SuperTech ST6607
WIX 51365
NAPA Gold 1365
FRAM Extra Guard PH6607
FRAM Tough Guard TG6607

OVERSIZED FILTERS (same in all dimensions except taller)
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Purolator PureONE PL14610


Filters Obtained and waiting for analysis:
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Purolator Premium Plus L14610 (Oversized)
MotorCraft FL-821 (Oversized)
Wix 51356 (Oversized)
Napa Gold 1365 (Oversized)
Amsoil SDF20 (Oversized)

Filters waiting to be obtained:
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AC Delco PF1237
Amsoil SDF13
Mobil 1 M1-110 (Oversized)
ProLine PPL14612 (Oversized)

Each filter's diameters were measured and the filter was cut open and the internal diameters measured. Also took pictures of everything. In short - the best filter is the OEM filter in the standard replacement category. Use the OEM filter. It is, without a doubt, the best in construction and filter area/volume in the standard replacement filters. In second place is the PureONE. The OEM filter might be eclipsed by a filter in the oversized category but only time will tell. I need to start ripping apart the oversized filters. I have further comments in the Excel Spreadsheet. Click on the XLS file to view the excel spreadsheet with all the data. Go into the directories to view the pictures. The names of the directories correspond to the filters. I also have a compare directory. There are two sheets to the XLS file. The first sheet is the standard replacement filters. The second sheet is the oversized filters.

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/oil/filters/

IMHO, nothing comes close to the OEM filter in the standard replacement category. The standard PureONE (PL14612) was close in filter area ... but still lacked the overall bulletproof construction of the OEM casing and gasket. The oversized PL14610 PureONE has more filter area, but still lacks the bulletproof construction of the OEM filter. Now, with that said, if you want a filter you can pickup locally that is a kickass filter then the PL14610 is your friend. It's the best 'aftermarket' filter so far (I reserve the right to change this as time progresses and I test more filters). I was very disappointed with both the K&N and Mobil-1 filters. These filters only had like 1/2 of the filter area of the OEM. Rumor has it that the M1-110 is a longer version of the M1-108 and will yield better total area/volume. I'll put it on my list of filters to obtain.

If anybody wants me to cut open any other STi oil filters just let me know. I've listed everything that I can get locally as well as through on-line parts places above. I'm sure there are a couple more filters like the Bosch. Once I have analyzed everything I can get my hands on then I'll probably slap together a webpage to make the site more user friendly. But, until then, you guys can enjoy the current results.

Please keep in mind that the obvious thing lacking in everything that I have done is REAL testing of the filter media in terms of what it can and cannot trap. I don't have the ability to do that. I just looked at the overall contruction of the filters and determined the area & volume for the filtering media. Take a look for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

t

[2theMAX]

Good stuff! Thanks.

[bizkit642]

Thanks for doin it.

-Andrew

[sassyd]

Nice work, Thanks,
S

[AndyH]

Great post, thanks very much for taking the time to compare those filters. I'm sticking with OEM for sure.

{EDIT}: Posted a link to this message thread over on the "Oil Filters" forum on http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

[katukasGTi]

Fram filters always looked like cheap immitation to me.

[Slowride]

Awesome! Thanks. That was a lot of work.

[Saturn]

That must have taken quite a bit of time and energy. Thanks!

[cnstman]

Thanks.

[cnstman]

who makes the oem filter, the media looks similar to the wix

[zack_280]

You media area is incorrect. Here's the formula: Media Area = PD * SW * PC *2

PD = Pleat Depth
SW = slit width (This is missing, I believe)
PC = Pleat count
The 2 is to cover both sides of the pleats. (this is missing too)

Other than that good information. It would be nice if we could get a Frazier test, efficiency test, flow vs restriction test, and mean flow pore test for more conclusive results. (I wish I still worked at the filter company I used to work at b/c I could probably work it out)

[pepito]

A+ on your report Card
super job
thanks
alot of help

[WolfPlayer]

Originally Posted by zack_280

You media area is incorrect. Here's the formula: Media Area = PD * SW * PC *2

PD = Pleat Depth
SW = slit width (This is missing, I believe)
PC = Pleat count
The 2 is to cover both sides of the pleats. (this is missing too)

Other than that good information. It would be nice if we could get a Frazier test, efficiency test, flow vs restriction test, and mean flow pore test for more conclusive results. (I wish I still worked at the filter company I used to work at b/c I could probably work it out)

Thanks! I fixed the fact that I forgot to multiply by 2. Good Catch. Anybody know of any other filters I can buy and take a look at? Thanks to everyone for their 'thumbs up!'. Appreciate it.

t

[staticx313]

Very nice work... do an AMSOIL SDF20 filter! Thats what I normally use as its supposed to be super heavy duty blah blah blah... Guess thats what they all say though dont they?

Robert~

[jagcars26]

Nice stuff,,thanks

Rudy