Found this on the 300C forum.
It's a good recent write-up on oil filters complete with cut-away pics.

http://www.300cforums.com/f...lters-dissected.html

It's kind of an update/add-on to the original oil filter study:
http://minimopar.knizefamil...ilfilters/index.html

well, good to find out my 2 favorite filters are actually the same as each other:
the Bosch & the Purolator PureOne

Don't use that as any indication of how filters are made for any other model car. I did something similar 3 years ago and spent $150 on oil filters for my Dodge Stealth. While many of what I observed are similar to what that guy saw, there were differences. STP was not the same as Supertech for 3000GT/Stealths. STP was superior with metal end caps and a metal tube in the center to prevent filter collapse. Supertech and Valuecraft (Autozone brand which they did not check) turned out to be the same. Most of the other observations were the same as mine.

You can use it as a general guide but keep in mind that things may not be the same for a Fiero or any other car for that matter. The only way to know for sure is to cut open your own filters.

Was looking for one of the oil filter eval post. Found this one first so.....

I changed oil today and had two different filters that where drained. thought I'd check them out to see if anything had changed.

First a shorty wix. Overall still good quality. Good check valve and a one piece coil spring loaded by-pass. Nice ends on the filter media and all held together with another coil spring. End was nice and heavy.



Next a Motorcraft from one of my Dodges.

Overall not to bad. Check valve was not as high quality but ok. By-pass was multi pieces spring loaded still ok. Nice metal ends on the media just not quite as heavy as the wix with a stamped spring to hold it all together. End was about the same weight as the smaller wix. Overall still not to bad a filter for the money if you can find one for a Fiero and they are the same



.

I've cut apart a bunch of filters (Valuecraft, STP, Fram, AC Delco, Bosch, Mobile 1, NAPA, and Wix) and Wix was the best built, followed closely by the Mobile 1. Wix and the NAPA brand filters are the same filter. Valuecraft, STP, and AC Delco are all the same filter now. Fram's orange Extra Guard was a piece of crap, I was really suprised, maybe their Tough Guards are better?

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1984 Fiero SE

[This message has been edited by RWDPLZ (edited 06-28-2010).]

Ide give you an A++ Oreif,but you all ready have my A++ rateing.

[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 06-28-2010).]

Be aware: As was discussed in this recent thread, there are at least three different versions of the ACDelco PF52 oil filter (as used in our Fieros) being sold today. It appears that ACDelco has stopped contracting the manufacture of their filters out to Wix, and the newest PF52 filters are probably being manufactured by Champion Labs. (This is Champion Labs the filter company, not Champion the spark plug company.) For example, the Wix-made PF52 filters were longer, heavier, and had a perforated steel center tube, while the newer PF52s are shorter, lighter, and use Champion's proprietary "eCore" nylon center cage. You can see this for yourself by just looking into the center hole.

FWIW, the Walmart "SuperTech" ST3980 oil filter is obviously Champion-made and appears identical to the new PF52, but it's priced about a dollar less.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 07-02-2010).]

I live in a very dusty area--both blown dust and from our long dirt road. I know this question may sound silly or stupid but if I change my oil every 1000-1500 miles does it really make a difference which filter I use? I change my own oil after enduring so many messups at the oil changers here in town.

just to point out something.... how is taking a filter apart and looking at the parts, an indication of the quality and it's ability to meet the filtering standards? I agree, it looks like the Wix filter is better quality, but without a filtering ability test, it is difficult to tell the everyday performance.... just pointing that out

J.

quote Originally posted by starlightcoupe: I live in a very dusty area--both blown dust and from our long dirt road. I know this question may sound silly or stupid but if I change my oil every 1000-1500 miles does it really make a difference which filter I use? I change my own oil after enduring so many messups at the oil changers here in town.

Change the oil and filter every 3000 miles (give or take a few hundred) and you will never have an oil or oil filter related failure. I don't care if you use a WIX, Purolator, Fram, AC or a Pep Boys filter.