Big oil filter downsides? such as WIX 51794 or ACDelco PF932

[Johnny Atomic]

Is there a disadvantage to running a 2 quart oil filter such as the WIX 51794 or ACDelco PF932? besides the cost of an extra quart of oil and the higher filter cost?

 

[dusterdude]

Ground clearance is the only issue i see

 

[Sad Sack]

^^^^What he said ^^^
And the more the merrier.

 

[squaredeal91]

Im not sure what the part number is but You can use a duramax oil filter on a big block chevy. Bigger and higher micron I guess. Been running one for years in the 454.

 

[legopnuematic]

The 51794 Wix is what I run on my small blocks.

 

[Sad Sack]

The 51794 Wix is what I run on my small blocks.

Ya, more filter area and more oil, what can go wrong with that. Always tried to talk customers into that option when they would come into the parts stores I've worked for oil changes.

 

[nvrenuf]

I’ve always run the 51794 on my 454’s without issues

 

[Grit dog]

I don’t see an upside either. Unless maybe you’re going for very extended OCIs or have an engine that is spitting metal and babbit lol like tweakers spit out teeth. More doesn’t = better filtration. More = lasts longer as there’s a greater filter media surface area. But lasts longer isn’t necessary under normal service intervals with a healthy engine.

 

[goldpack]

many years ago I know someone that ran a tractor trailer sized one on a dodge 318,...never changed the oil in years. only added it.
sold it when it got a sludge issue,..and needed a major clean out,...2nd owner ran it for years after the clean up.

and many people run an alternative larger filter on their vehicles.
(finding the match in spec with flow / bypass is the key).

 

[Johnny Atomic]

I don’t see an upside either. Unless maybe you’re going for very extended OCIs or have an engine that is spitting metal and babbit lol like tweakers spit out teeth. More doesn’t = better filtration. More = lasts longer as there’s a greater filter media surface area. But lasts longer isn’t necessary under normal service intervals with a healthy engine.

My thoughts are that more oil volume would lower oil tempurature because takes more time to heat up more oil, and more oil mass to disappate more heat for overall lower temperature when up temp. And I would think oil would last longer because it takes longer to use it up, simply because there is more of it. I would think more filter area would increase flow rate allowing more free movement of the oil, less rate restricted. And more filter area would take longer to clog up.

But i wonder if the larger mass of oill in the filter would take more force to move it out of the filter which would decrease oil flow.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I’ve always run the 51794 on my 454’s without issues

More filter effectiveness, quicker plugging results. long term things like Wix XP filters are made to be used for multiple oil changes but sacrifice filtration for being able to run longer

if you have clean oil and change regularly, not a factor to worry about

 

[Grit dog]

My thoughts are that more oil volume would lower oil tempurature because takes more time to heat up more oil, and more oil mass to disappate more heat for overall lower temperature when up temp. And I would think oil would last longer because it takes longer to use it up, simply because there is more of it. I would think more filter area would increase flow rate allowing more free movement of the oil, less rate restricted. And more filter area would take longer to clog up.

But i wonder if the larger mass of oill in the filter would take more force to move it out of the filter which would decrease oil flow.

No, I’d say those differences you mention are real and actual.
But to what magnitude and is it needed….was my point.
It’s not gonna hurt flow imo. If anything it’ll help a bit just like the other benefits you mention.
But aside from extreme conditions, IE high duty cycle, extended maintenance intervals, a worn out engine that needs any of the above, the real world differences are goin to be basically zero except for a lighter wallet bc more expensive filter and extra oil.

 

[nvrenuf]

More filter effectiveness, quicker plugging results. long term things like Wix XP filters are made to be used for multiple oil changes but sacrifice filtration for being able to run longer

if you have clean oil and change regularly, not a factor to worry about

Yeah, it’s clean and changed regularly. I change the oil in my Blazer yearly because it only accrues 200-300 miles per year.

 

[edgephoto]

I remember when Mobil 1 came out in the 1970s. My Dad and his friend switched to it and followed the instructions to the letter. It was change the filter at 3000 miles and the oil at 6000 miles. Dad never kept his cars for more than 5-6 years but he never had an issue. His friend had a late 70s Chevy wagon with a 305 that lasted almost 30 years and was still running good when the last kid graduated college. That engine was famous for wiping out cams.

My point is if you are doing this to extend oil change intervals, why not just change the filter and top off in between?

 

[Ricko1966]

I remember when Mobil 1 came out in the 1970s. My Dad and his friend switched to it and followed the instructions to the letter. It was change the filter at 3000 miles and the oil at 6000 miles. Dad never kept his cars for more than 5-6 years but he never had an issue. His friend had a lates 70s Chevy wagon with a 305 that lasted almost 30 years and was still running good when the last kid graduated college. That engine was famous for wiping out cams.

My point is if you are doing this to extend oil change intervals, why not just change the filter and top off in between?

Wow I never knew this! Factory recommendations used to be just opposite,change oil every 3000,change the filter every other oil change.