I just used a new STP oil filter on my 300, the filter is an S8A, i think, when I compared it to the old one it was about an inck shorter, same model on both.
What gives? Have they done this to other filters too. I think STP filters are only 3 bucks, do you think motorcraft is better, and are there larger filters like the old STPs.

Not an important issue, but just wondering why make a filter smaller (if they are cutting costs, wouldn't tacking on another 25 cents be easyer than changing the production line?)

 

The motorcraft are essentially the Purolater pure one. I pay about 3.50 for an fl-820s. Have never had a reason not to use the MC.

 

Wild wild guess, maybe S8A means short 8? I thought the popular size was something like F8 or FL8 or something. Could be talking about the totally wrong class of filter tho...

Anyway, there are often 2 or three filters of different length that work on the sme engine. The lengths are usually different due to interference issues with things around the filter.

If you have the room, a longer filter is usually a good idea. The filter companies can usually tell which of several of their models will work.

There is plenty of reading available about Fram filters. Don't know for a fact that it is true, but sure is a lot of reading on it. If you want just do a search on this web site for FRAM, there should be more reading than enough.

I personally like Purolators and lately the Wix brand has caught my eye. Both have a good reputation. Motorcraft also has a good rep, and at least lately I think they are Purolators in drag.

Note that there is a lot of cross dressing amongst filters. Fram makes several store brand filters, as does Purolator and I think Champion Labs. Like Pennzoil filters aren't made by them, they make oil, Fram makes the filter I believe.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Yeah, it's a lot of "marketing". I guess Pennzoil doesn't even make oil now that Shell owns it. Pretty much like Buick has a "marketing manager" no longer a "general manager", because they don't make cars there (GM Assembly does that), they just sell 'em.

 

It sounds as if the STP has been changed to the new E-Core disign by the maker of STP,Champion Labs.

Go to http://www.champlabs.com/ECOREBROCHURE.pdf and you can find out more about the E-Core.

The E-Core has several design changes over the older filters.

1.They no longer have the metal center support tube.It is now a nylon cage.

2.The filter can may be smaller is size.

3.The endcaps inside of the filter are no longer metel but a fiberous material that supposedly helps filter the oil.The endcaps are not glued in place but are what Champion calls,Thermally Bonded.

4.Some models that fit GM engines have a pressure relief valve built into the filters that used to not be there.Whether this will harm an engine or not,I dont know.

GM engines,most anyway,have the pressure relief valve located in the engine itself,there is no need for a valve to be in the filter.

This was probably done so that the same filter would fit other vehicles without having to design a new filter.

5.The ADBV and the pressure relief valve are now a combination of the two.

It seems that some like these filters but for now I want to stay away from them.

 

Champ also makes Bosch and some AC Delco filters.

 

sounds like a champion labs filter. the "s" is just a code letter it means nothing. ST8A= super tech , S8A= STP filter, PH8A= fram and FL1A= motorcraft