SamirD wrote:
However, with the precision that vehicles are made these days and the tolerances closing up to improve efficiency (especially with Japanese vehicles, which have always had much tighter tolerances than domestic vehicles), I disagree with your view that a 'close-enough' filter design is a good enough design. I believe that it does matter, even if the same filter is spec'd for various applications.
But then how could the same filter be specified for varying engine designs? They aren't even the same displacement. Oil pressure and oil flow rate will differ from engine to engine, yet it's the same filter.
By 'close-enough', I don't mean in terms of quality or performance. I mean in overall design as I believe oil filters aren't really that sophisticated and are merely that; filters of the oil. Factors like oil pressure and flow rate are generated by the oil pump and the filter needs to perform to meet minimum specs. How well it does over time is more dependent on material quality and build construction. In this regard, I believe materials and construction, not the adherence to OEM design, is more important.
Much like the Suzuki OEM filter goes on various Suzuki engines, the same Mobil 1 oil filter can go on various engines across brands. I believe the logic for both applications is that if the filter fits, then the filtration requirements are similar enough for the same filter to meet or exceed them. Basically, oil filters are more universal than exacting.
I feel the same about fluids like motor oil and gear oil. Suzuki and other manufacturers always push their own OEM-branded products. In reality, there is typically much better stuff out there in addition to the fact that the car manufacturer did not make the fluid in the first place.
Would you use Suzuki fluid knowing there was much better stuff out there that was fully compatible with your car just because Suzuki told you so? The only justification is warranty assurance.
I can't tell you enough how much my manual transmission performance improved after I dumped the Suzuki gear oil for Redline MT-90.
Suzuki also calls for conventional motor oil in their engines. Nope, I'm using synthetic.
You are also considering an upgraded brake fluid for superior brake performance in another thread. You, yourself, acknowledge that there are simply better performing products for the vehicle.
For me, a high-end oil filter is simply an extension of this logic.
Regardless, if there is anything anyone should take away from this discussion, it's to not use cheap shit oil filters like Fram orange cans.