Best Oil Filter

I was always under the impression that the more holes in the bottom of the oil filter the better. If this is true that the Mopar filter, 8 holes I think is the best I have found! Any input?

I have never heard that filter quality was connected to the number of holes in the base. Some filter manufacturers tend to use a certain number of holes whether in their brand or in the custom label filters they make for others.

What is more important is the quality and size of the filter paper, the quality of the element end caps and how they are sealed and the filter bypass valve material if it is built into the filter.

my preference is the Wix (NAPA) or purolator filters. The Mobil 1 filter is excellent but a little more $$.

JD

I'm switching to the Wix / Napa Gold filter. I have geen using the Fram Tough Gaurd Series which has a much better synthetic filtering media than the standard "orange" Fram filter (and most other filters). However, I found it also has the worst input vs output pressure drop compared to other filters. Although it probably is OK, I don't want to take chance with restricting the oil flow since I do a lot of highway miles.

Just a note:...I make my living "on the road". Been doing it for over 25 years and have logged over 1 millon miles in different types of cars. 95% of the time I've used Fram "orange" and have NEVER had an oil/engine related problem. (curent car: jeep cherokee with 219000 miles). Every car i've used has gone well over 100,000.

Just for thought, I have over 100k on my 00 XL, been using the K&N oil filters, have notice that the oil stays cleaner longer. Also another "good" filter is the purolator micro filter. It really comes down to prefferance, the Fram filters are good, along with the WIX/NAPA ( these especially, considering that they are used on diesel engines. very dirty engines)

The quailty of the oil filter is second to the frequency of the oil changes!

The major oil filter companies have a standard set forth by car manufacturers that they must meet. Letting your oil go before you change it will kill an engine 9/10 times before the quality of an oil filter would.

All good points - what frequency do you recommend changing synthic oil (Mobil 1)? - I do about 100 miles / day, about 75 % highway miles

I have always been a firm believer in that theory. I am a fanatic about oil and filter changes. I got that from my dad. He had a 1970 Buick Electra 225 that he bought new. He paid $5100 for it. He changed oil and filter every 2000 miles. I think he was into Lee Multifilters back then. Lots of holes on them. He used Castrol 20W/50 motor oil and a pint of Marvel Mystery oil (that red stuff) as a top cylinder lubricant. After putting over 110,000 miles on that big 455CID Buick mill it still had all its compression and did not use a drop of oil. We got it up 120+MPH out in the desert just before he sold it to my aunt who eventually totaled it in the early eighties.

Yes I use that black Mopar oil filter every time and have on all my Cherokees. I think it's the best choice. I recommend always sticking with Mopar replacement parts. Remember the sticker on the air filter cover of every new GM car in the late sixties and seventies? "Keep your GM car All GM use genuine GM Parts" ? I am the same with Mopar.

tb

anyone tried a remote filter kit? I have been thinking about it, easier to get to and added oil capacity

you can get a remote oil kit from amsoil. I was going to do the same thing but have to find a good place to mount it.

Only problems with a remote set-up, more fittings, more hose. Ask any plumber and he'll tell you less connections=fewer places to find a leak.

And the advantage of remote filters is changing them is easier. I guess some of them can add an oil cooler piece. It is so easy to change the filter on the 4.0 I would not see any real advantage for the remote filter setup. As far as cooling goes, if you are down to cooling the oil well I'd say other cooling options need to be looked at first.

Jim