Originally Posted By: buck91
Wow, completely forgot I posted this. Anyways, I must have been a bit ambiguous because it seems only a few people took my actual meaning. My old Mustang used the 820 while the new one (sold the old one, I'm not that lucky) is spec'd for the FL400S (four hundred) and I am asking if sticking with motorcraft is the best bet with this or if there is a better filter for less money available?
To be honest your first post was a bit misleading, at least to me. The two filters do NOT interchange, so the point is moot. I guess we all focused on the filter characteristics aspect, and not the brand aspect. I, for one, apologize for going off course; my mistake.
If you want to know if there are "better" filters than MC, then you'll be hard pressed to find such at the prices WalMart offers. There are filters that have greater efficiency, but they certainly cost more as well. PureOne, EaO, M1, BD+, etc all come to mind as high end premium filters.
For "normal" OEM OCI durations though, it's hard to beat the standard filters from Purolator, MC, Wix/NG, etc for the price. The reality that escapes most people is that "normal" filters do a great job for "normal" OCI durations. Many premium filters can show superior efficiency performance in the lab ISO testing protocol, but in the crankcase, you'll never be able to distinguish the difference in a UOA, contrasting the two options in "normal/severe" (non-extended OCI) service. The point? You don't "need" a premium filter when a normal filter does a job more than well enough.
I have no idea why your old Mustang is gone (rust, accident, trade from boredom, gift to realtive, etc). Ask yourself these questions:
Did the old ride have an engine that simply wore out from using a "normal" filter? (I seriously doubt it did). Would you have been able to double or triple the lifecycle of the engine, to equate to 2x or 3x the cost of premium filters? (Probably not). Then why would it stand to reason that a premium filter is needed? (Hint - the answer is in the question) ....
Just know that there is no "best" filter for all applications, but there are many "good" filters that can fit into most all applications.
Choosing a filter is only but one part of an overall maintenance program. The lube and filter should compliment each other, and work in the overall OCI scheme. There is no logic to changing oil at normal OEM limits, but using a synthetic oil and/or a premium filter. They are overkill and a waste of money in the application. Synthetics and premium filtration are tools to extend your lube OCI lifecycle. If you're not going to do that, then they are a total waste of money.
There is nothing wrong with using any decent brand name, properly spec'd filter for your new ride, if you're simply going to follow OEM OCI limits. Don't spend time trying to find the "best" filter; rather, spend your time trying to locate the "best buy" from many filters.