OT: Oversized Oil Filter on Cars

My V6 car takes a small oil filter, not much bigger than the one for my 20 hp mower. Is there anything wrong with using a larger one, with the exact same size thread, number of holes, seal etc? My thoughts are that the larger filter will provide a larger filter media, less restriction to oil flow and allow a few more ounces of oil in the system.

I ran a '91 GM Quad 4 for 225k miles using the larger filter before I traded, still changed oil and filter every 3K.

-Vinnie

There is a mild downside to larger filters. They take longer to fill up, and oil pressure takes longer to build up as a result. This is mostly a problem on the initial fire up after changing the filter. Some fret over it, some don't. I haven't seem solid evidence of a problem with this myself.

I equally don't see a problem with running a small filter. If your engine is shedding metal particals so fast the filter blinds from them because of its size, you've got far more serious issues to deal with than a small filter.

One nice thing you can do with the catalog is look up all your vehicles and see if perhaps you can switch to a standard filter. I've four different vehicles here at home, all calling for different filters. By researching, I was able to go with just one single filter on all the vehicles, which incidentally wasn't specified for any of them.

A smaller filter can/will clog faster (because of fewer holes...pores) which will reduce the available (remaining unclogged) holes and increase the pressure required to find a hole for the oil to flow through and hence increase pressure drop.

Mark

I agree with you. Oil filter should be as unrestrictive as possible. Lots of face (filtering area).

I barely remember what it was like to drive one of those Novas, Camaros, or Chevelles. I remember was fun for the eyeballs to get pushed back into their sockets with every gear, but not how much fun anymore. Now I putt putt around on tractors. What happened to me?

Mark

Mark

Consider that for the first 5 min or so your engine is running on mostly unfiltered oil. The more restrictive(smaller)the filter is, the worse the problem becomes.

Mark

One time I dropped an Olds Diesel in my old Chevy 4X4 and had to go the other direction (to a smaller filter) because the front drive shaft interfered with the oil filter if I hit a large 'bump'.

Ya gotta watch the flow direction of the filter.

Just because the size and threads are the same doesn't mean that the "flow direction" is the same. Some filters have a by-pass check valve in 'em too and running the filter backwards just makes it inert.

Allan

On the bypass valve, for most folks it's useless..... .most folks that change their oil that is. But I had a neighbor with a "professional" grown daughter, unmarried, that knew only to add gas and drive.....should have seen the mess she left behind...the oil had turned to grease. Glad she wasn't my daughter; I'd have turned her across my knee....don't care if she was grown. Grin

Mark

Mark

I think it has more to do with interference than functionality. The engine has to fit a certain envelope and filters are usually testing that envelope.....and then there are location problems for the engine designer and chassis folks.

Mark

That's one reason I've moved to Dodge. Still have my 98 with only 2 little problems the whole time and just bought an '05 1500. Boy have they improved upon a great truck. If you're in the market for one, do yourself a favor and at least look at the Dodge. I got the 4.7 v8 and it has a little computer that tells your mileage. Couple of days ago I was putting along at around 40 to 60 mph and caught it at 19.9 mpg with only 600 miles on the vehicle. Last tank of gas was 17.1 overall. And the little sucker is peppy. Real nice. 5 speed auto.

Mark

Mark

Mark