Important: Oil Filter debate

davens

I've posted this on a couple other boards but its worth repeating.
The debate on what type of filter to use is pretty old...but if you use the OEM filters, you assume its a quality product. Not necessarily.
Take the time to read both articles and form your own conclusions...one is about the large style filter and the other covers the small filters.
See, if you didn't know there were two sizes, you've already learned something.

Oil Filter Article I

Oil Filter Article II

sic944t

i like to run mobile ones filters but lately ive shelled out the big bucks for k&n oil filters
my only thing is why be cheap on an oil filter i mean what is 5 or 10 bucks in the long run ....... we waste that on burgers and fries

SiWagon

Is the current S2000 filter a Filtech?Is this the 1 you are refering to as the large filter?Is the current S2K filter still the large filter?Can we run this S2K filter in our cars?

davens

SiWagon wrote:

Is the current S2000 filter a Filtech?Is this the 1 you are refering to as the large filter?Is the current S2K filter still the large filter?Can we run this S2K filter in our cars?

There are three large filters - Fram, Filtech and Toyo Roki.
The s2000 filter and HAMP are both made by Toyo-Roki.
The s2000 filter is currently the only large filter still being produced. Although your local dealer may still be working their way through their old stock pile.
Yes, you can run the s2000 filter in our cars.

I ordered a case of the s2000 filters awhile back but now that I've looked at the smaller filters, I would be just as satisfied running the small Filtech-Toyo Roki collaboration. Stay away from the small ones badged as Honeywell.

Haydz

Honda here only sell that light green one, HAMP.

davens

Pacifier: what does the HAMP cost you down there?

Haydz

$19.70 NZD...

$13.05 USD based on current conversion rates.

davens

*thud*
Great...now I need ice for the concussion I got falling out of my chair after reading that.


I was gonna see if it would be worth it for you to pick some up for me but now that I see what you're paying, I feel like I should offer to do that for you.

I can get large s2000 for $6.60-6.90 or the small toyo-roki/filtech for $5.26 (USD). I wonder what shipping would cost.

Haydz

ah well, that price doesn't bother me..

The part number is H1540-PR3-T01

heraldhamster

and you don't want to get caught going around taxes and tariffs for imported stuff.

trust me on this!

Haydz

We basically have one of the tightest customs in the world, it'd never get through without duty being paid.

akiraboy

I thought I remember reading somehwere that the wix filter was a decent filter

Haydz

Reading those articles basicaly tells me that the 'S2000' filter and the HAMP JDM filter (which i run) are just as good as each other.

davens

That's correct...except the s2000 filter is $7. The HAMP is $10+ over here.

Haydz

Ah okay, i'm not concerned about the price if its that low

astuto

i heard that frams filters were not good... u used to use them w royal purple synthetic oil but now i think im goin to use purelator filters i heard they are good for civics... i read it online in a civic website...

4WD-TwinCam

the "filtech" badged honda filters are money, the honeywells are garbage yea they have fram guts... the filtech filters seal even comes somewhat prelubed unlike the other honda ones weve had

High Mileage

Good info...

lucskywalker

on a performance standpiont the small size is for pressure purposes, in general if your oil is still see thru by the time you need to change your oil, then its a good filter. i like to use the small honda filter it always kept my oil clean on a 3000 mile change, even on a 270000 mile motor. the filter is thin and with heat its plyable it tends to expand, oil is under alot of pressure so it bends the housing hence you lose the pressure. honda acually has/had (havent tryed in years to buy one) a real small filter for racing applications, i think king motorsports still sells them. i even put a hose clamp around mine as it keep my psi up by 3-5. really its the small things that help a motor live faster longer

pandorasbox

In my experience and my close friends we typically use like 4 brands. Purolator Pure One, K&N, Mobile 1 and OE Honda (Hamp).

In my experience the K&N is the best, oil stayed clear as hell right up to 3k miles. Purolator and Mobile1 have very similar experiences, both have great quality internals. Hamp is also great from what I hear (I have the least experience with these).

In our crew we have some pretty ridiculous cars and all of them run K&N and Mobile1. These cars include a 760whp S2K, 620whp Integra, 560hp 240sx... many more, we all stick with the best quality and usually means most cost but do you really want to take the chance with your motor? I gladely spend $8+ on a filter if it means my high performance car isn't having metal shaving get to the combustion chamber or bearings. I did a write up on my car clubs
website, I'll see if I can copy and add the info here

vtecn8ive

^^ lol, the links are dead from 2006

Dave-O

pandorasbox wrote:

These cars include a 760whp S2K,

Completely off-topic, but was this black with a hardtop and ran E85, just traded it for a built white EG on E85 from Utah?



If so, I work down the street from the guy, and bought the 1600cc injectors from that same car for my Starion.

simplyhonda

Ever since I got my license & first car I have been pretty routine about changing my oil on the 3,000 mile interval. I know oil change intervals are also a topic of debate but I stick with the old school 3,000 or maybe sometimes 4,000 if I'm broke. I most often bought Fram oil filters just because that is what my dad bought when I was growing up. Ocasionally I will pick up an STP filter or whatever is on sale. but usually it was the trusty old PH3593A Never gave much thought to it.
Being in aircraft maintence school, I just finnished a course in engine lubrication. Granted it was relating to airplanes it got me thinking, they put alot of emphisis on the quality of filtration. And for good reasons too. It does a vital role in increasing the life of your engine by filtering out sludge and engine wear contaminates.
I had recently read an artilce somewhere (wish I could find it now) about how Fram filters were junk and should not be used. They stated that OEM filters were a better alternative. They also said NAPA gold filters were up there as far as quality too. After owning 5 Hondas over 15 years. All with over 150k and my CRV at 216,000 now on the clock and doing regular oil changes, I have never had any oil related problems. Or many other mechanical problems for that matter. So, Is Fram junk?? Maybe so, but I am in the belief that if it is, as long as you stay within a scheduled filter change that it doesn't matter.
Just wondering what you guys think, and what kind of filters you run.

NZ-DB8R

I change my Oil every 5000kms in my Integra and every 7500kms in the Shuttle.

I always use HAMP oil filters as I can get them cheap and Ive heard good things. Ive heard both good and bad things about fram, but if they were so bad would it be such a big company?
If they have always worked well for you why change?

ragenasian

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/

I have been using FRAM filters since that is the only ones the Military sells here. Never had any problems but as always I do regular oil changes. On the CR-V and SHuttle I use OEM Honda filters. I got a sweet deal on them (10 for 35 bucks) so when those are done it will be back to FRAM for me.

superhatch

I've always used the Japanese made S2000 filters. HAMP or the S2000 (jdm) filter are the only ones I would use.

http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/old_filters.shtml

The_Head

I stick with Napa of Carquest. I used to use fram when I lived close to a walmart.

absolutetinting

it doesn't matter if you change every 3k.
obviously if the s2000 factory fits, use it.
i change every 3500
oh yeah, i also have a filtermag.
its a semi circle magnet that you pull-off the old filter and install on the new filter and repeat @ every change. check it out.
the oil and tranny drain plugs are also magnetic.
i know its over-kill, but oh well.

ricefighter

i thought of buying an adaptor kit online so i can use larger or longer oil filter. i thought bigger oil filter is better. just my 2 cents.


wagon...........4ever.....................

SiWagon

I've used Fram (orange)filter for years & in many cars w/o incident.Before I continue the Fram filter I hear to use is the :

Fram Tough Guard(the silver can).

The probs they mention about the Orange Fram filter I don't think are problems.The big complaint are the ends on the filters are made of paper.If you cut open a filter.You'll find there is a lot of glue between the paper & filter.MY thinking is that even if the paper disolved the glue will hold a good seal.
The other prob is they say the pressure by-pass valve sticks open sometimes.I don't believe this is a problem either IF you know what to LOOK for.The following applies to FRAM filter only (maybe other filters).This is from my experience only with regular oil .When you first start the engine .Watch the oil pressure lite.It should go out fast.If the valve is stuck open it takes longer for the oil to prime up.If it takes like a second or 2 before it goes out Change out the filter.This doesn't apply to Purolator filters.
THe following are what I hear are
GOOD Filters:
Wix
Purolator
Fram Tough Guardonly(NOT Extra Guard or Double Guard).
Baldwin(Biggest filter company.They make filters for lots of companies.Maybe more costly.)
OEM or Hamp (both cost more.It's always safe to use OEM filters if you're not sure.)

Check above ragenasian's link to who the above filter companies also make filters for.
______________________________________________________________________
My Observation:Sounds crazy ,but you may want to consider Stop Tech(A WalMart brand).Good price point & quality.The Bosch I cut up is probably made by Champion Labs(they make filter for a lotta companies) which probably made the StopTech too.The StopTech filter looked like the Bosch,same by-pass valve,same construction filter,BUT larger & cheaper.

MrWhoopee

Here's my take:

Air-cooled Volkswagens had no filter, just a screen to catch the big chunks and a very effective (oil bath) air cleaner. They ran at much higher oil temps than our water-cooled wonders and the recommended oil change interval was 3000 miles. If you're changing your oil every 3000, it probably makes no difference what filter you use. However, if you are stretching that interval or running with an old air filter (or without one at all), then you might want a high grade oil filter.