Oil filter comparison, 4 top brand oil filters cut up and compared.

[Paranoid Fabrications]

Decided that it was time to do some testing as there are lots of people here that don't believe what we tell them.
so i cut up 4 filters.

• Fram
• Mobil 1
• Bosch
• Subaru (the suby filter was used as i didn't want to cut up a good filter LOL)

cans cut off. as you can see, there is some big differences in the filters.
Item to note: the frame filter was the only one that had cardboard ends on it all others were metal)


Close up of the Amsol filter


Close up of the Fram filter
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Close up of the Mobil 1 filter



Close up of the Bosch filter


Close up of the Subaru filter (is a used filter)



Group shot of all of them.


top shot.


Next up cutting them up and seeing who has more surface area

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[Paranoid Fabrications]

next up was buying a nifty little tool that cuts up filters.


the facts.
filter media

• Amsol 1.75" x 54"........Total filtering area = 94.5
• Fram 1.5" x 56.25".......Total filtering area = 84.38sq in
• Mobil 1" x 40.75".........Total filtering area = 40.75sq in
• Bosch 1.75 x 47.5........Total filtering area = 83.13sq in
• Subaru OEM 1.5" x 61"..Total filtering area = 91.5sq in

some surprising results. we all know the Subaru OEM one is best but it was the others that surprised me. Mobil 1 seems to be pure crap. while the bosch i think is the second best, as it has metal ends and good amount of filter media (i know the fram is a bit more, but having those cardboard ends really bothers me. Would like to cut one of the frams up after its been used to see how the cardboard is doing.

from top to bottom,
Subaru
Bosch
Fram
Mobil 1




if anybody has anything to add just let me konw, of if you want another filter tested just let me know (or better yet, send one to me). i kept all the parts from these so i can easily take more pics.

and please remember, this is not uber scientific, but more of just a FYI. I do not have the tools to do the crazy tests on them that i would like, but this just gives you an idea

[Token-Negro]

Nice post!

[ein86]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Fabrications

if you want another filter tested just let me know.

Purolator PureOne?
Good info though, thanks!

[Paranoid Fabrications]

Originally Posted by ein86

Purolator PureOne?
Good info though, thanks!

i grabed all of what my autoparts store had. if you want, you can send me a suby one and i will cut it up but i will check around

[ein86]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Fabrications

i grabed all of what my autoparts store had. if you want, you can send me a suby one and i will cut it up but i will check around

As soon as it stops raining I will have a used one off of my car; I can send it if you like, no problem.

[Paranoid Fabrications]

Originally Posted by ein86

As soon as it stops raining I will have a used one off of my car; I can send it if you like, no problem.

yea, when you take it off hit me up and i will give you my addy. the more filters the better

[06WRXturbo]

should do a comparison on the new OEM blue filters made by Honeywell. Smaller in size compared to the OEM black filters.

[Paranoid Fabrications]

Originally Posted by 06WRXturbo

should do a comparison on the new OEM blue filters made by Honeywell. Smaller in size compared to the OEM black filters.

doh, didnt know they ahd new ones. anybody got a used one of those? LOL i dont like the idea of cutting up new ones LOL

[Silverpike]

All you ever wanted to know:

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

[RonJitsu]

OP - How about comparing an Amsoil Filter as well?

[fastwrx25]

purolator pureone please!

[mikeythejew]

The Fram PH9715 is identical to the new Subaru oil filter on the inside. Fram's PH9715 is the only filter to have an exclusive listing for a Subaru, not other makes. An example is a Wix filter, # 51365. That filter in particular is listed to fit Nissan, Fords... and Subaru's. The bypass valve setting of the Wix filter is 8-11 PSI. Subaru specs 23 PSI. When you find a Purolator or any other aftermarket filter to have the 23 PSI spec, let me know.

[Hyper]

I'd be curious to see this sucker apart



it is lighter than stock, for all I know

[Badmunky]

Ok Im never using the Fram filter again! Thats whats on my car right now.
Im do for an oil change in about 1,000 miles. When I change it I will keep the old filter, bag it up and contact you as to where to send it.
It would have been on the car for 3k and had Royal Purple run threw it.

I will be ordering some stock filters of the net before my next oil change for sure!

Im interested to see what other filters look like. FYI you can get some more at most walmarts. It think they sell 5 or 6 filters for our cars there.

Later.

[ein86]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Fabrications

yea, when you take it off hit me up and i will give you my addy. the more filters the better

I have a used Purolator out if you still want it; just let me know where to send it

[sigurd]

you should do the wix one.

they have 2 part numbers though. One is the old bigger one that is now supposed to be the non turbo subaru filter. The new one is the small one. I still use the bigger one.

small - 51365
big - 51334

[wrxhard]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Fabrications

the from top to bottom,
Subaru
Bosch
Mobil 1
Fram

I believe it should be:

Subaru
Bosch
Fram
Mobile 1

Great stuff though. Thanks for the comparo!!!

[Scooby-Doode]

Tokyo Roki and Made in Japan FTW!

[Artie@Agile Auto]

Very nice info! Subaru FTW!

[bige1919]

Originally Posted by Silverpike

All you ever wanted to know:

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

great informative site. winner.

[avk]

It's great to see that site updated. It hadn't changed for years.

[jason.g]

Great thread! I'm currently running a K&N Gold oil filter. Also have a few extras sitting around since my buddy hooked me up. Want one to chop up? This is the begining of a nice little database.

[azn0boi04]

sticky this....

[Zorin]

Originally Posted by Silverpike

All you ever wanted to know:

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

Good deal thanks for the link.