STI oil filter - worth it?

[Manaz]

Hi all,

My local Subaru dealer is trying to sell me a $60 STI oil filter over a $20 standard one.

I change my oil every 5,000km, and run what I consider to be "good quality" 5W30 or 10W40 oils (depending on what I'm doing with the car - if it'll be doing anything where it'll run hot, it gets 10W40).

Is the extra expense on the oil filter worth it? I'm thinking perhaps not.

[zch91]

It'd be interesting to know what shit they're claiming to convince you it's worth 3 x the $$ ?

[Manaz]

Apparently higher flow than a standard filter, and can stand hotter temperatures.

I asked "Can the standard filter cope with the temperatures generated by my engine" and their answer was "Of course".

The higher flow is potentially of interest. I'm trying to find out whether this is because the internal design is better, or it's simply not filtering as well (got a high-flow air filter? Guess how it works...) because it's designed for people who change oil regularly.

I'm going to start doing oil tests either way, so I'll be able to see how well the oil is coping regardless of the choice.

[Adrian2627]

Later model STi Impreza uses a higher flow oil pump hence the need for a higher flowing filter. Unless you are using the higher flow pump I can't see the need to spend 3x the amount of money. The Achilles heel in older EJs was in the pick-up design but never filter restriction

[Manaz]

I ended up going with a standard Ryco for now while I wait for a response on oil selection from a trusted source or two. Oil is only in my engine for 5,000km at a time anyway, and given I'm running pretty much stock at present, that'll do for now.

That said, I am a little surprised by just how black my oil was after 5,000km, so I'll see what the oil analysis has to say...

[Rome_BRZ]

Yes because I prefer to know my bits are pink.

Other than that, no.

[GT-B Spec R Pilot]

I have cut both a used standard and a used STi filter in half with a hacksaw just to see what the difference was (its an engineer thing....), if indeed there was any. The standard filter had a paper core similar to an air filter whereas the STi filter had a few layers of very fine wire mesh. Other than that there was no apparent difference. No idea how this effects filtering efficiency or relative flow rates but at least you know what the extra $$$ is for.

[sprite798]

i changed engine oil & oil filter & air filter myself today
car : 2010 liberty GT premium

K&N oil filter model : PS-1008 cost: 15 AUD
K&N air filter model : 33-2304 cost: 75
engine oil : penrite 5w30 cost : 44

I also quota at subaru dealer, engine oil 92 AUD and oil filter: 19.25 AUD

i believe K&N will provide better flow on both air & oil with their product, we know dealer always making " big ' profit than outside retailer.

with K&N oil filter, it does good job and also cheaper than dealer's factory item

with STI oil filter, I don't think it will worth "$60", it will not make big different mabey even no different.

[Rome_BRZ]

i changed engine oil & oil filter & air filter myself today
car : 2010 liberty GT premium

K&N oil filter model : PS-1008 cost: 15 AUD
K&N air filter model : 33-2304 cost: 75
engine oil : penrite 5w30 cost : 44

I also quota at subaru dealer, engine oil 92 AUD and oil filter: 19.25 AUD

i believe K&N will provide better flow on both air & oil with their product, we know dealer always making " big ' profit than outside retailer.

with K&N oil filter, it does good job and also cheaper than dealer's factory item

with STI oil filter, I don't think it will worth "$60", it will not make big different mabey even no different.

Didn't you realise that if you use a pink oil filter (STi) in a Subaru your car automatically gains 20kw??

[<GB>]

think the idea of the pink filter is to flow thicker viscosity oil through it for racing conditions as Subaru sold really thick racing oil.

I would be careful running a ryco unless you know the bypass pressure as Subaru recommend 22-23psi I think. I used to run the k&n one too but when I emailed them they said the bypass was set at 14psi which isn't enough though if the filter media is less restrictive this will effect the pressure drop across the media...

I now use the pink ones to be safe as my car is highly modified ! and I think it cost me $45 trade

[BUDDAH]

think the idea of the pink filter is to flow thicker viscosity oil through it for racing conditions as Subaru sold really thick racing oil.

[Manaz]

From reading, the STI oil filter is designed to cope with higher oil pressures. The use of wire mesh to support the paper element would support that theory.

[<GB>]

From reading, the STI oil filter is designed to cope with higher oil pressures. The use of wire mesh to support the paper element would support that theory.

this is correct, you would be racing and running your engine at higher sustained rpm, so higher volume of oil passes through the filter, also if you add thicker viscosity oil you end up with more pressure too, lots of racing peoples use thicker oil

also if it flows better it might rev up easier due to less restriction and if it flows better the filter bypass valve may not open as much as there will be less pressure drop across the filter so it might be safer to use in these applications.

I wonder if the media works as good to capture any contaminates as the stock one

have you emailed ryco to see what there pressure valve is rated at?

whats wrong buhdah?

[<GB>]

can anyone read this?

[Out6ack]

Amsoil & Purolator 'PureOne' also use a wire backing on the media.

EAO_ExplodedFilter_560px-1.jpeg (34.53 KiB) Viewed 6976 times

I was quoted $58 for 2 Amsoil H6 filters, including delivery from Gold Coast to Newcastle.
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