murcod wrote:bootymac wrote:
We need the specs of the OEM filter so that we can compare them to aftermarket filters and determine if they fit Suzuki's requirements.
Exactly what I've been saying. Sadly it's an important point that appears to be missed by some!
(Not that I read all the long essays!
)
You might want to read the previous "long essays" given I pretty much dismantled your arguments in them and provided proof and references.
Moving on:
It would be great to inspect the specifications of the OEM filter to compare to the aftermarket, however this has proved to be very difficult. No one can seem to find them. I've spent over an hour searching and no one has the specs's, let alone can even definitively say who makes them.
It's safe to assume that since the OEM filter is made in Japan, a Japanese supplier manufactures them. I came across a number of motorcycle forums/pages and one claims the OEM Suzuki filter is made by Tokyo Roki (now, just Roki).
However, much like Bootymac, I found that Roki's site did not have much technical info on their products, even in Japanese.
I realistically think to find technical info on the specific filter, searches in Japanese would be necessary given it's a Japanese-made filter. The alternative would be to contact Suzuki directly for the specs.
That being said, Wix (an American filter maker) provides a good amount of data on their OEM replacement filters. For the Kizashi, this is it:
http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/PartDe ... Part=57530
Also, Wix and even info on the OEM filter provide a fact relevant to you all interested in filter specs and believe them to be so important:
Both the Wix and Suzuki OEM 16510-61A31 filter have multiple vehicle applications. Logically, this would show that filter specs aren't such a sensitive matter given it goes not only on 3 different Suzuki cars, each with a different engine, but also on Suzuki outboard engines on boats!
Given this fact, you really think that this filter can be so specific to the Kizashi and its perceived unique filtering demands when Suzuki puts it on a number of varying products?
Also, let's do some logical deductions based on some facts here:
A) The OEM Suzuki filter goes on multiple Suzuki vehicle engines, not only our Kizashi-specific J24B, which is actually different, but based on the Grand Vitara's J24B which uses the same oil filter.
B) The OEM Suzuki filter goes on multiple Suzuki outboard engines for boats. I've verified this.
C) Oil pressure is not regulated nor controlled by the oil filter. It comes from the oil pump which is driven by the crankshaft. Due to this design, oil pressure is
variable and increases and decreases with engine RPM. Hence, oil filters are subject to fluctuating oil pressure and are designed for performance in a wide spectrum of pressure.
D) The oil filter is subject to varying oil pressure and oil temperature which affects its flow rate. Basically, it's a variable, not a constant spec therefore filters are rated by max flow rate. The type of filter media a filter uses will affect this, but so will oil filter service duration due to contaminant build-up. Again, it's a variable spec.
E) The oil filter flow rate and filtering efficiency are variable based on filter condition. A filter with 500 miles on it will perform differently than a filter with 5000 miles on it.
Again, this spec is variable, not a constant. It's also why filters have bypass valves. When the filter fails to filter the oil due to filtration capacity or oil pressure rate, it will bypass the filter so the engine receives oil. Dirty oil is better than no oil.
F) The filtration capacity is largely based on filter media. The type of filter media material and the number of pleats on it will affect how much and how well the filter traps contaminants. High-end filters like the Mobil 1 filter use synthetic filter media components that allow it to not only filter smaller particles, but also keep more of them trapped in the filter. In essence, the filter can be smaller in size, yet better in filtration all because of the superior filter media.
I have no doubt the OEM is a good filter, but there are simply better filters that use more advanced filter media. Again, materials and construction are what matter. Why do you think better filters cost more?
G) The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in the United States prohibits auto manufacturers from denying warranty claims if aftermarket parts are used and they didn't cause the failure.
Think about why this would be law. It's because aftermarket parts specified for the vehicle application typically meet or exceed the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer. In essence, there is not much of a specification difference to warrant a denial of a warranty claim.
All these factors above go to demonstrate that the filter specs are
variable and are greatly affected by engine condition, oil condition, and filter service duration. It's probably why the large majority of the discussions on the internet discuss filter differences and performance based on construction, material quality, and durability. In essence, these factors are what matter in actual application and will be most important in how a filter performs, especially further down service duration.
Things like OEM specs are not as important because they are variable and the aftermarket parts easily meet those unrefined specs. Where they differ is again, construction and materials.
In so many ways, the type of oil and the construction of the oil filter matters so much more than just what the OEM filter specs are, especially given Suzuki uses the same filter for an array of engines. Logic would have it that the Suzuki OEM filter isn't really so important specifically to the Kizashi's engine and a better-made filter like the Mobil 1 is simply better.
Sorry for the "long essays", but I come from a background where making an argument without explanation and evidence is just useless.
Many of us have claimed OEM filter specs are important yet have not argued why. I've argued not only why I think some aftermarket filters are better than OEM, but also why strict adherence to perceived OEM specs is probably not that important.
+ 
We are enthusiastic about every detail.