</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just put on a Mobil1 filter. Called the Mobil1 800 number to get the proper filter part number. They claim they are better. Perhaps I should cut it open when I take it off?
Rich )</font>
After you cut it open, please post pictures, of what you look like after cutting open a used filter. Just joking.
check out the following URLs
Oil Filter Study and
SHO Filter Study, which unfortunately does not include WIX/NAPA. There are other sources, but they are redundant and not as organized for use.
The Bottom line? Brands stay consistent in overall materials, methods, and philosophy. Generally, a bash on brand X from 4 years ago is valid with their latest version, as a significant change usually is accompanied by a brand name change.
My take? I stick to the top 3 - 5 (Wix/Napa, Purolator Premium, Mobile 1) for the filtering and quality of construction. I go with the cheapest of the lot, which is normally the Wix/Napa. K&N is fine filter, but it is optimized for high flow, giving up filtering smaller particles, check the footnotes.
I would have to be stuck in the desert with a choice between a 100+ mile tow or a filter, before I went with any of the bottom 2/3 filters. (I would change the filter at the first stop in civilization). Life is too short, and the tractor is too expensive. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif