BrokeMyCar

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to put this info out there as I couldn't find anything from searching.

I wanted to change out to a different filter and upsize it without having a larger bypass setting (possible oil starvation condition), lower flow rate (more likely to have the bypass condition occur), or loose filtering ability (race filters are 60 micron nominal filtration to maintain flow)

For everyone's benefit here is some info of the PCX filter.

Flow rate 9-11 gal per min
Bypass valve at 8-11 psi
Filtering efficiency 2/20=6/20 (2=50% efficient at a 6 micron particle and 20=95% efficient at a 20 micron sized particle)
Silicon anti-drainback valve

Just for reference I am not a fan of higher bypass valve settings like the K&N (11-17 psi) oil filter. The worst thing for your engine is oil starvation, not poor oil filtration. This is why race filters have a beta ratio of 50% efficiency at a 20 micron particle. This let's them flow more at the expense of filtration.


Anyways, on to the point of this post. I am trying to upsize my filter to prolong it's filtration ability and add a little bit of oil capacity.

Here are the WIX units I am testing out. All dimensions are in inches except the Volume, that's in cubic inches. They all have the same filtration beta as well.

Wix_____Height__Diameter__Bypass__Gasket Outer__Gasket Thickness___Vol______Price_____Notes
51347___4.828___2.921_____8-11____2.734_________.226_______________32.35____$8 ________Larger
51324___4.354___3.663_____16______2.834_________.2 00______________45.88____$5________Massive +.28 more quarts
51334___3.194___3.252_____8-11____2.475_________.233_______________26.52____$8 ________Suggested
51344___4.069___3.242_____8-11____2.490_________.148_______________33.59____$? ________Larger
51334XP_3.194___3.252_____8-11____2.475_________.233_______________26.52____?_ ________Beta is 50% at 20 micron (poorer filtration)
51626___3.812___3.663_____8-11____2.834_________.200_______________40.15____$? ________Massive
OEM_____3.622___3.209_____8-11____2.244_________?________________29.29____$14?

-I tried out the 51334 due to the cost. It's a little smaller...
-I just swapped in the 51347. The filter side of the oil cooler is about 75mm wide (2.95"). So, there was some gap at the edge of the filter.
-Next oil change I will try out the 51324. Yes, I know it's bypass is set to 16, but I am hopping the additional surface area of the filtration element and added capasity is going to provide lower pressure drops and thus, negate the higher setting.

If we assume the filtration surface area is proportional to the outer can dimensions, idea is the following:

OEM surface area = 3.14*3.209*3.622 = 36.51 in^2
51324 area = 50.11 in^2 (37% improvement)

This should hold more contaminants and still provide the right flow characteristics as well as catch 37% more 6 micron particles.

I will let you all know if it fits.

Opinions any one?

Here are some photos of the other 2 filters and the clearances.

zeroptzero

I am sure Rod (rrounds) has been running a larger filter (wix ?), he may chime in on this.

The most important spec for our cars is flow rate IMO, at 9000 rpms you don't want to reduce flow in any way, so knowing the flow rates would be good. I know filters like Mobil1 have some of the best filtration rates but that can sometimes affect oil flow rates. Look forward to what you may find in your testing.

MM3Kwolik

I think Rod runs a Baldwin filter if I remember correctly. I'm sure he'll be in here and chime in in 3.......2......1......

oooS2ooo

What's the flow rate for 51347 filter?

MM3Kwolik

Did you read the OPs post? 9-11 gallons per minute.....

oooS2ooo

meant 51347 filter

zeroptzero

ah okay I think it was a Baldwin, I know he's been very happy with his filter and has been running one for a while. I'd almost skip all of the testing and searching and just ask Rod for his info. and recommendation (pm rrounds) .

cosmomiller

Rod's wife Cindy is pretty ill. I am sure he is concentrating on things close at hand.

slalom44

Larger filters give you a trade-off in performance. The larger surface area helps remove more larger particles but if the ADBV doesn't stop the drainback entirely you're increasing the length of your dry starts. After the car sits overnight see how long the oil light stays on when you start the engine with different sized filters. If the larger filter empties it will take longer to get pressure.

IMO all filters go into bypass mode during cold starts. The larger filter just reduces the time and bypass volume. And I believe the overwhelming majority of wear occurs during cold starts.

The oil pump is a positive displacement pump, which means a more restrictive filter media doesn't cause oil starvation. It just causes more oil to flow through the bypass valve.

rrounds

I run a Baldwin B7042 or B202, it makes the Larger Wix look small. They are 3 11/16"X 5 3/8" Fit fine and I have 100k miles with these filters on the S.
If you look real hard you might find a pic of the Baldwin, Wix and stock Honda S filter on here somewhere.

ROD
P.S. Cindy is doing good but it will take a while for her to get back to 100%