Read a post on BITOG that has a Honda service news from 2002 that says that the Honda oil filters filter out 70% of the particles that are 30 microns or larger, and 85% of the particles 40 microns or larger.
That's some pretty crappy filtration for a modern engine.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...54&nt=4&page=3

I know that Honda has had what two or three company's make the filter for the "S" ? I just wonder what the micron rating is for the "S" oil filter from the latest company that makes oil filters for the "S".
I'm glad I found the extra large Baldwin oil filter that I run on my "S".

ROD

 

It is easy to get lost in the numbers, 1st pass, 2nd pass, etc.. I will tell you my take on these things, I'm not saying I'm right or anyone is wrong, it is just how I approach this issue.

I think it is always a compromise between oil flow and oil filtration. I don't want the best filtering filter because chances are that it can reduce oil flow, there has been some criticism of Mobil1 filters for that very reason, whether it is true or not is anyone's guess. One reason I stick with Honda filters is because I know the engine is getting the proper oil flow, even if it doesn't get the smallest micron filtering rating. On an ap1 at 9000 rpms nothing is more critical than oil flow IMO, and I don't know if every aftermarket oil filter will provide the same level of oil flow as my Honda filter. I guess I am happy to stick with the devil that I know, I've been hit really hard by devils that I never knew on many occassions in my life, lol. All oil filters have to meet a mininum oil flow standard, but that doesn't mean you are getting the best oil flow from every filter.

You also have to consider what size micron of a particle causes the most damage, perhaps once you get down to a certain size of particle it is no longer damaging to an engine. I haven't seen that number but I am sure the oil filter engineers know what it is, and what works best. I am sure the design is always a compromise between filtering and flow, not much different than an air filter.

 

unaware of any filtration problems when using oem filters.. so I'll stick with it.

 

I will agree also with Jfusion. There must be a reason many Honda user manuals say you can use the filter twice. Maybe its the fact that a dirty filter always filters better, so having said that yes you change your oil (filter) too frequently.

 

JFUSION,
I also like high oil flow but I also want my oil to go through the oil filter not around it. That is why I run a Baldwin filter, it filters better than those 2002 numbers from Honda and I get more oil flow from over twice the filter medium from the much larger filter and less oil going through the bypass(even when cold).
If you have not seen the inside of my oil filter, here are three(Baldwin, Napa/Wix and a Honda filter off of a '09 C/R).
http://s949.photobucket.com/albums/a...Oil%20Filters/
I have to add more than what Honda says to add(5.1 qt's) of oil because this Baldwin hold a little over 3/4 qt more oil than the Stock Honda oil filter for the "S".
I have over 50k miles with these filters on my "S" and run my oil for 8k miles but have used Baldwin filters for more that 2 million miles of over the road driving.

ROD

 

I put 8k miles on my oil and 16k on my oil filter. The more dirt on the oil filter means it will filter better and it will also go into bypass sooner. So if you start with a filter that is not that big to begin with, the more oil that will get to your engine that is not filtered but oil that went through the bypass.

ROD

 

how can we be certain the bypass is activating? and under which conditions?

 

I think we over think silly little things.

 

That is exactly right, if I went with an aftermarket filter Id be second guessing myself every minute due to my OCD kicking in. There likely are better filters our there, I just don't want to experiment tyring to find them, sounds like the Baldwin is working very well for you.

 

Can you cut open the actual element of all three for comparison too?