The online filter study is good, and does tell you a lot about construction quality. What I don't like about it is the subjective statements made like "this filter looks like it might have too much media", or "....not enough media". Still, it does show about the end caps, drainback valves, so it does have a lot of value.

Here is some efficiency data for fram and Purolator. This info was obtained by emailing their product engineering departments, so it has not been "checked" by an impartial source.

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Purolator
When tested per SAE J1858 the Purolator Premium filter is rated @ 85.2% efficient @ 20 microns and 99.2% efficient @ 30 microns.
The Purone is rated @ 97.8% @ 20 microns and 99.8% efficient @ 30 microns.

Subject: RE: beta ratio

Micron ratings and Beta Ratio ratings are meaningless unless all the required information is provided. Beta is nothing more than a standardization of the efficiency number. The BETA number alone would be useless as would micron ratings if it were not related to a micron size.
The following are examples of meaningless statements:

1-The filter is rated at 10 micron. The reason this is meaningless is because it leaves out the efficiency %.
2-The filter is 96% efficient. The reason this is meaningless is because the micron level is omitted.
3-The filter is rated at Beta 200. The reason this is meaningless is because the micron level is omitted.

The PureOne filter is rated @ around 99.16% efficient @ the 20 micron level.
The Beta Ratio would equate to B(20)119; that is a beta ratio of 119 @ the 20 micron level.

If you have any questions please fell free to call.

Regards,

Richard Hedgepeth
Product Engineering Manager
Arvinmeritor/Purolator
3200 Natal Road
Fayetteville NC 28306

Fram
For SAE J1858 we test particle sizes from 2 to 50 microns. This translates to Beta Ratio's of 1.5 to 10,000 for Extraguard and 2 to 10,000 for Toughguard.

Specific Beta's for Extraguard and Toughguard are as follows:
Beta 20 (micron) Beta 30
Extraguard 17 333
Toughguard 100 1000

Thank you for your interest in FRAM filters.

Susan Groom
Engineering Team Leader
FRAM Product Engineering
Honeywell Consumer Products Group
Perrysburg, OH

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Percent efficient is equal to

(Beta ratio -1 divided by Beta ratio) X 100= percent efficiency

85% is about one particle in 7 makes it thru.

A beta ratio of 50 means about one in 50 of that size or 98% efficiency.

So, according to the fram data, the 20 micron Extraguard is 94%

 

I just go to mitsu dealer and use my buddies account and buy 20 stock oil filters at a time

 

purolator is cheaper than Fram. I am going to try purolator!
It is the brand most of mechanic shops or quick oil change stations use.

 

Fram sucks. I work for Advance so we get some info on this stuff. I was told that the Fram filters way too much and actually filters so much oil you loose a ton of oil pressure and as you guys know thats not very good. My store manager informed me of this as along as a rep from Advance. So i stick with the K&N gold only

 

So how much are people spending on these "expensive" oil filters? We're all complaining about filters that get changed every 2.5k miles or so, which is like 6 oil changes a year for the average joe. I buy OEM and they're not so expensive -- roughly $4 a pop. I spend more than that on gas every week!

 

anyone heard anything bad about the Mobil 1 M-108? Auto-zone database said it should work, but I don't want to trust them. I'm putting one on now, I'll post if something bad happens

 

I always use the filter from the dealer.

 

Luber Finer is a great filter too

 

Baby Jesus crys every time you use Fram on your performance car.

 

I use a filter called Denso. I cross referenced it with the OEM part number. Really good filter and it comes sealed in plastic with a lub on the o-ring. Almost the same size as the OEM, just a little bit longer, perhaps 1/4".

 

Its about the same size as the original Evo filter that came on the Evo from the factory, but its not the spec filter for the Evo. Purolator calls for the PL14610 for the Evo. The PL14459 pressure relief valve opens at 12-15 psi, whereas the PL14610 opens at 14-18 psi. I'll take the higher psi rating because it will not open as readily at higher rpm (and allow oil to bypass the filter media).

 

For you all that think that Fram oil filters are as good as anything else:

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

After reading that study, I'll never touch another Fram oil filter again. I was also quite impressed by the construction of the Pure One. Not only does it have the best filtering capability (according to the other study mentioned in a previous post), but its also very well constructed.

 

I use the Mobil M1-104. Its almost exactly the same size as stock. I have used them for about 5000 miles, no problems.

 

I use Purolator if I can find it. Otherwise I use Fram cuz its e-z to find at 7 on a saturday night. So what if its not the best. If fram = engine death then it wouldn't be for sale at every freaking auto parts store in the entire United States.

 

Fram = cardboard endcaps. That is your decision.

By the way, Mobil 1 and K&N filters are made by the same company, Champion labs. Generally, it is asserted that Mobil 1 filters slightly better while the K&N flows slightly better, based on lab tests.