Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: Mud
I had looked at this along with other info:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12206
I like how that person did absolutely zero filter testing, and bases 100% of the conclusions made on a visual inspection of each filter. The person equates an Advance Auto total grip to a red-painted PureOne minus the silicone ADBV which, to my knowledge of the filter media used, is not the case at all. They also condemn the Amsoil and Mobil 1 filters on filter area alone. No testing is done on the actual performance of the bypass valves or tension springs, of which a few are condemned upon visual inspection.
It's merely a set of observations, almost like trying to assess a tire's performance by looking at the tread pattern. A few very general correlations and predictions could possibly be made, but shouldn't be revered as anything other than such, and based on visual observations only.
Well said!
If the media and media performance isn't in the evaluation, it's not a complete evaluation. I didn't read the linked evaluation (frankly, that type of evaluation is getting tiresome as I learn more about filters and another one was a fecal sandwich I couldn't handle this morning) but if they dismiss a depth type synthetic media like an Amsoil or M1, because it doesn't "appear" to be as much area, then they don't know enough to evaluate filters at all and anything else they say is suspect (how's that for a run-on sentence?).
Generally, for the benefit of those that might not know:
Cellulose media, the more common type, which comes in a large number of configurations, is a surface loaded media. It carries contaminants mostly on or near the surface of the media. In order to maintain a satisfactory level of contaminant capacity and flow, good cellulose media will have lots of area. That's accomplished dimensionally (a larger element package) and by using pleats to increase surface area.
Synthetic media is a depth loaded media, meaning it carries the contaminants on the surface as well as inside itself. Per square inch of media, a synthetic can carry more contaminants, flows better and is more efficient.
The filter designers know all this, so they base the media area on the performance characteristics of the media chosen and the designed operational life for the filter. Depending on which media you compare, you could have a smaller filter (less media in every respect) that has better efficiency, better flow and more capacity than a larger one.
So... if you don't know anything about the media performance, you don't know enough to evaluate the filter except very superficially.
Seems to me, all you gotta do to get a "pass" from the "Eyeball Expert Evaluators" is to have a silicone ADBV, metal endcaps and a lot of media. None of that hurts but it's only part of the picture.
