Yes, another oil filter question.

[schwartr88]

I've asked a bunch of oil filter related questions over the last few days and appreciate the help, however I have one (ok...maybe 2) more. Right now I'm eyeballing the NAPA select http://www.napafilters.com/nselect/ which is NAPAs midgrade filter. It has cellulose/synthetic media and "spin flow technology". However, out of the PF47 size filters this one has the least media- around 20 in^2 less. For a 4k oci, will the 20in^2 less media make much of a difference assuming it is "better" than the leading national brand? Also, does this "spin flow technology" actually do anything or is it just a marketing gimick?
A disected filter can be viewed at: http://www.lesabret.com/filters/filter.html

 

[mrsilv04]

The problem with the lesabret page, is that it appears to be about 3 1/2 years old. It is likely that filter designs have changed since then (for example: the SuperTech is not built like that anymore), and some of the pictures that are shown there, may not reflect how a particular filter is built *today*.

 

[schwartr88]

True, and until I can open the various filters up Ill never know if it still has less media or not. Assumeing it does have less Ill let the question stand. This filter caught my eye because of construction, price, media (syn blend), and that spin flow technology.

 

[newtoncd8]

I guess my question would be, if the "spin flow technology" is so good, why don't they incorporate that technology into the Napa Gold filter?

However, $3.49-$3.99 for the Napa Select, seems like a good price for a good filter.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

The amount of media by itself doesn't tell you much about the filter.

Name brand filters are all decent. Maybe even some of the off-brands, like those found in some service stations, are decent.

When it comes to particle removal and capability of holding particles without affecting oil flow, some filters will test out much better than others.

Feeling, weighing, eyeballing, sniffing, tasting, rattling-- all these may indicate something, but lab testing against set standards is probably a bit more reliable.

 

[schwartr88]

Yes I agree, but you will have a better chance of finding the loch ness monster than getting a copy of the test results. I wish manufacturers had to list the results on the box, like ingredients for food items.

 

[glenncof]

First, spin flow. I think the fluid velocity would need to be very, very high for the little fins to have any effect. Actual flow rate is very low since oil is pushing into engine.

Next, any filter study without a date or old is fairly limited in what it can say about the filter you buy today.

My favorite is when some "expert" refers to the minimopar study. Then the same expert goes on to bash fram.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:

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Actual flow rate is very low since oil is pushing into engine.

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Flow rate is what it is whether it's pushing into the engine or not. Now if you're saying that it's producing more (or less) back pressure due to being measured at an intermediate point in the flow path, that's a different issue.

 

[Pete C.]

You have an email.