I read it
right here that metal endcaps " are going away in the filter industry". Or does that only apply when one is dissing competitors.
I do note they are not using Champ ecore felt endcap construction used in current AC Delco's. Nor are they using Champ's combo valves in combination with ecores and felt endcaps found in many STP, Firestone, Wally TLE and their Defense filter line. That's a plus.
As for the leaf spring v coil spring discussion, all in the point of view. Leaf springs work but so do coil springs as the previous maker of the Carquest and current maker of the O'R oil filter line and several other respected manufacturers have proven over years of sales. Just a manufacturer preference in combination with overall construction of a filter. Anything else is marketing blather imo.
I also note that the filter dissection presentation doesn't include mention of difference in bypass location and/or shows one of the applications with engine block bypass. Previous maker uses thread end bypass in the majority of applications, as opposed to dome end for the new Carquest line.
As an aside, I see the much discussed GM 1988 filter study of used as reference. There is at least one long time respected member here that disputes the validity of that study to real world use. If interested, easy to find with a google search.
All that said, construction and efficiency specs of the new Carquest line look solid. Price point will be a telling factor. It does seem extraordinary though for a perennial advocate of fiber endcaps acknowledging metal endcaps work just fine.
My .02
