Ultraguard Gold UPF-52 Pics

mstrjon32 · Jun 11, 2003

I just ordered three of them from GMPartsDirect and they came in today. I've never used a Champion filter before so I don't know what kind of charateristics would define one. I took a few pictures, maybe someone who has used Champ's before (I'm sure there are alot of you!) can help me out.

I know Champion confirmed in an email that they still make these, but it would still be nice to confirm it outside of that email. Whether they make them or not, they seem to be constructed well and I'm sure I'll be happy with them.

That appears to be a "TT" stamped into the plate.

Ryan00TJ · Jun 11, 2003

Looks very Champion made to me! I've seen a few Champion Wallmart Supertech ST3980 PF52 filters that also had the TT by the oil inlet holes.

Raptor6 · Jun 11, 2003

Looks like a Champ to me!

Whats the dif between the regular Duraguards and Ultra Golds?

Nice looking box BTW.

mstrjon32 · Jun 11, 2003

Glad to hear. I didn't see any reason for the Champ Labs to lie to me about making the filter, but some people seemed pretty doubtful.

I'll be putting the filter on this weekend after I run some GM Top Engine cleaner in my car. I'll try and post about any first impressions I might have after I install it. I can pretty much already say that my engine will be running more quietly with this filter over the PureONE's I've been using...they are very restrictive.

G-MAN · Jun 11, 2003

Here's some pics I just took of a SuperTech ST3980. I use these on my Olds minivan. Note the TT stamped in the base plate. Except for the PTFE coating on the gasket of the UPF52, the exteriors of these two filters look identical. They both use nitrile anti-drainback valves. One note, however: the ST3980 has "Product of Mexico" on the end.

unDummy · Jun 11, 2003

My eyesite is a little blurry.
To me it looks like one has groups of 3 rows of holes, and the other has 2 rows.
Please verify that the ST filter looks internal the same as the AC.

W8liftr · Jun 11, 2003

I wonder why none of the UPF 59's, 52's, 47's, and 44's that I have bear that neon green serial number on the top of the filter case. Other than that, mine appear to be identical.

dickwells · Jun 11, 2003

Mrjon32 - What engine/oil are you using? I have been using Pure 1 of the 52 size in my 02 silverado 4.3 with M1 5W30 and have had 0 issues of restriction. The oil pressure comes up super fast even in the dead of winter, so I am puzzled by your problems. Of course the 52 is near twice the size of the oem filter for this truck.

novadude · Jun 11, 2003

quote:

To me it looks like one has groups of 3 rows of holes, and the other has 2 rows.
Please verify that the ST filter looks internal the same as the AC.

I have noticed that the US-made PF47 equivilant Supertech has the "3 row" center tube, while the Mexico-made ST PF52 filter has the "2 row" tube. To me, it seems like the PF47 ST filter has the same center tube flow area as the ST PF52, even though the element is much smaller.

In this regard, the Delphi AC filters look the better than the champion made AC Delcos. Delphis have nice big holes (and lots of them) in the center tube.

W8liftr · Jun 12, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by Raptor6:
Looks like a Champ to me!

Whats the dif between the regular Duraguards and Ultra Golds?

Nice looking box BTW.

Check the link in the 4th post on the thread below.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000684

You can get more info if you select Ultraguard Gold at the bottom of that page.

mstrjon32 · Jun 12, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by dickwells:
Mrjon32 - What engine/oil are you using? I have been using Pure 1 of the 52 size in my 02 silverado 4.3 with M1 5W30 and have had 0 issues of restriction. The oil pressure comes up super fast even in the dead of winter, so I am puzzled by your problems. Of course the 52 is near twice the size of the oem filter for this truck.

I have the GM 3.1L in my 97 Monte Carlo w/126K miles. It is very noisy when its cold with a good flowing filter, but is much louder with the PureONE. Its not something I worry about because after 3 minutes it has mostly quieted down, but there is a difference between filters. I also should mention that I've been using the stock size which is 1/2 as large as the Ultraguard Gold's I just bought, so even if the Ultraguard is a little restrictive, the extra size should compensate.

sbc350gearhead · Jul 2, 2003

I just bought some UPF 1218 oil filters from a local dealer and they look just like that as far as the outside, and the middle of the filter......but they only have 5 big holes in the baseplate. Are these also made by champion?

JohnBrowning · Jul 2, 2003

Last I checked all AC/Delco filter were made by Champion. They also have the exact same construction and stampings. I have never seen a Delphi made Delco oil filter. Maybe the origanal Delco design was delphi but that was along time ago as far as I am aware!! Has someone actualy recieved any emails from delphi indicateing that they make any filter for Delco?

dickwells · Jul 2, 2003

mstrjon32 - Still didn't catch the oil and weight you are using. Maybe I am using an oil that flows better or something.

novadude · Jul 2, 2003

I believe that the AC Delco filters at Advance Auto are Delphi, while the AC filters at Autozone are made by Champion.

I have a Delphi PF52 at home. I'll try to take some pics this weekend, so you can see an apples-to-apples comparison with the other filter pics on this thread.

JohnBrowning · Jul 2, 2003

novadude thanks!

Intelman34 · Jul 2, 2003

I am cutting open a used UPF-52 today that may have failed. ( see here: http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002726 )

No more UPF for this family. I have one more UPF52... I think I will donate it to the site for flow testing.

[ July 03, 2003, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Intelman34 ]

Intelman34 · Jul 2, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by G-Man II:

I really don't think your filter failed. If it was oil pressure, it would have blown the cannister before it would strip the threads. Everything points to the impropper installation of the filter.

As to the difference between your filter and the one on here, take a look at the end stamp and see where it was made. If it was made in Mexico, that could account for the difference in the center tube holes.

I know the filter didnt fail and the pressure didnt cause it. I was just saying that the filter looked new inside so the only thing that could have happened filter wise was too much pressure. My father agrees he probablly didnt tighten it enough.

I will look to see where it was made...

jason07-1zzfe · Jul 2, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by novadude:
There was some info on a caddilac webpage that said that AC Delco has discontinued the UPF series in most sizes because they were found to be to restrictive.

I posted a link here before. Do a search with my user name.

That is a rumor. They stopped making them because they didn't sell. Poor marketing. They still make the UPF44 and 52 because they are the most popular and still selling.

Intelman34 · Jul 3, 2003

Woah... okay... so the UPF design has changed.

The UPF52 I used was a few years old.

The UPF52 mstrjon32 took pictures of has 3 hole rows, but the UPF52 I have only has 2 hole rows like the ST3980.

There is no reason why this filter may have blown down other than the fact it does not flow well. The media inside looks so restrictive and with the 2 hole rows, it is impossible for it to flow well.

I wish I had a digital camera

Ultraguard Gold UPF-52 Pics

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