Oil filter vs. no oil filter

[Malocchio]

I'm surprised this topic hasn't been covered in detail and would like to get some hard evidence in either direction. Obviously, filtered oil is going to provide better lubrication leading to increased engine life, there is no arguing that fact. However, The general opinion seems to be "they don't need that and just drive it" because that's how the factory made it. I can see why some hold the opinion as I have seen 40hp engines in bugs with over 200k on them bone stock. I have also seen teardowns of engines with that sort of mileage and it's astounding the amount of visible wear from scuffing due to unfiltered oil. What that means, irregardless of longevity, is that less parts are salvageable for the next build and that clearances open up faster. Why does this matter? Because this shit costs money and I like to daily drive my shit and would like it to last a long time plus parts are getting more expensive/nla/facing extinction.

Gotta squeeze every last drop outta usage and I'd like to know if anyone has actually built a stock or mildly stock engine with an oil filter, put it through its service life, performed a tear down and noticed a huge difference in the amount of visible wear of any kind. My gut just tells me that engine oil needs filtration and why not go through the trouble to add another 50-100k to a daily driven 40hp or 1600? I usually see filtration on large motors due to the higher stress and no filter on stock motors. Once again, if anyone has any astounding results or a very detailed reason as to why a filter is not needed please share. I'm planning on running a filter like a cb maxi/vw Mexico or a Porsche 356/912 type bypass on my next stock build.

[madmike]

I have seen it!! Bearings really show the damage from non-filtered!! and don't waste ur money on those 'By-Pass' pump/filter POS ,learn how to 'Full Flow'
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[Glenn]

I once had a valve spring break and the pushrod tore up the aluminum rocker dumping aluminum shavings into the case.

The oil filter saved the engine and after replacing the spring and flushing the case, the engine ran for years later.
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[ALB]

Ford Motor Company did the testing in the '50's and proved that there was significantly (30% ?) less wear when properly filtered. A bypass filter will filter some of the oil some of the time; wear will happen, just at a slower rate. Glenn's situation might have had a different outcome had the filter not been full flow.
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On a lifelong mission to prove (much to my wife's dismay) that Immaturity is Forever!!

[Malocchio]

So with filtration, not only does the engine last significantly longer, but can withstand trauma such as the instance of Glenn's. I didn't know about the ford test and that number would be much higher at the break in period. I have a friend who is adimate about NOT running filters on stock engines because his 40hp bottom end has 200k miles on it. I think it comes down to not wanting to modify the look of a stock 40hp case and he argues that the filter lines decrease overall reliability. He won't sell me a spare engine because he knows I will implement some form of a filtration system which isn't stock. I like the idea of the CB Maxi or VW Mexico because they don't require case altering, have no lines, and look clean. I have heard that the oil passages are small in the CB pump and therefore not well suited for hipo applications. Also, there is no denial that they sit directly in the hot air path of the engine. I think either would work fine.

[Boolean]

[slalombuggy]

Filter pumps work just great, so great in fact that VW Mexico put them on as stock equipment and I can't think of much hotter climates than South America. I ran one for years and loved the easy of instillation and the fact I didn't have to do a bunch of machining to filter my engine oil. It's a lot of bunk saying they heat your oil up to dangerous temps.......

brad

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If the air blowing over the filter is 220F it's not going to be heating the oil up at all if the oil is 220F, I think this worry doesn't hold water.
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We install filter pumps in probably 80% of our engines.
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[Malocchio]

Good point about the air temp being equal or less than the oil temp. The filter pumps are cheap too. Can these be run on any type one?

[slalombuggy]

They won't fit on engines with a competition merged header. Don't know if they will fit on sidewinder style exhausts or not.

brad

[Northof49]

Do all the ones that replace the oil pump, go off to the side? Any more compact?
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[slalombuggy]

As far as I have seen they all go off to the right side of the motor and are all about the same size. You can fit a shorter filter on them.

brad

[66brm]

Another option is to run an in/out style pump that CB sells.....

http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1798

is a 26mm pump for flat cams
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[slalombuggy]

[Northof49]

I have the CB one that replaces the oil pump and has rubber lines, barbed fittings and hose clamps, but I'm a little uneasy about the lines. By the time I spend the money to do AN couplings or crimped lines, I could have bought a one piece assembly for cheaper, but I'm concerned about the clearance with my merged exhaust system.
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[badufay]

Best solution right here... It's an OE part too. Install this, then run 5w30 synthetic and be on your way

http://vwparts.aircooled.net/OEM-VW-30mm-Full-Flow...15-115.htm


Ben
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[Northof49]