I've noticed that a lot of books and people use the PF25 size oil filters. It doesn't make any sence to me. I've looked at both, I've compared the prices, everything I've looked at says go with the larger PF35. Larger is better yes/no? I'm almost sure that the larger PF35 would have more filtration area AND oil capacity. Also the not so obvious is that the PF35 is 10 times easier to install. You don't have to reach way up high to get to the oil filter. Now my old school filter wrench works. The prices of the 2 units is exactly the same for the AC delco units. The only thing I could see is that it does use more oil. I guess that could be a bad thing if you can't afford the extra 1/2 quart, I don't know, seems kind of silly. Anybody think I'm way off base with this or what? Is there a thirdgen that the larger filter doesn't fit or is their no reason?

i always wondered why people don't use the 1218 instead of the 25 or 35. guess everyone has their own preferances.

I didn't know you could use the 35, vice the 25. I'll remember thet next oil change.

Good question, a lot of the automakers do this. My wifes Cutlass calls for a short filter, but I always install the longer(I won't confuse you with the baldwin numbers). It's easier to install and the extra capacity can't hurt. I do the same on my Camaro. Go with the biggest filter that will fit.

I'll tell you why I do it: I can remember PF35 when I go to the parts store, but I can't ever rember 1218, so I play it safe and go with what I know.

I use 1218.....you can get this stuff at Wal-Mart....why pay extra to get it from the parts store. Just remember it as Twelve Eighteen...not one two one eight......anyway I use it and have never had a problem.....

What is 1218? Is that a AC / Delco filter, or larger than AC- 35, or what?

I believe GM started using the PF35 filters on the '87 and up 350s. I think I recall calling the parts store one day and asking them which filter the '87 350 TPI called for and it was different than the PF25 that I currently use on my '86 355 TPI and used on my '86 305 TPI prior to this engine.

My friends T/A calls for the PF25. I always used the PF35 or equivalent since it's bigger. I figured it was a ground clearance issue. Not that the filter is going to hit or anything, I thought they just wanted to keep it out of the way.

Personally, I like the big filter since it will have more filter element inside and will be less prone to clog over time. Prolly just superstition....

my zz4 crate motor came with the larger filter.

Does anybody else use Fram filters? I''m using PH13 right now, and it's one of the short ones. Does Fram make a large one? I choose Fram because of the plastic grip soating on the end. It's easier to take off covered in oil.

They do, but I like my car too much to put a Fram filter on it.

Take apart that fram filter some time and you'll cringe. There's almost nothing to it. A 6 year old kid could have designed a better one.

I always use a larger filter than called for... even on my VW. If you can't remember the number at the store just ask for the oil filter for a 92 5.7L Caprice/Roadmaster. They use the taller filter.

1218 is a large filter, not sure of the size... but it extends down about 1" or 2" above the bottom of the oil pan....enough room to keep it from getting ripped off or damaged....It is a Delco Filter PF1218:hail:

The big driver to use the larger oil filter is more filtration surface area, allowing it to move more oil thru it over the same given time than a smaller filter.

I like the Delco 1218, also like the pricier Mobil-1 302 synthetic media filter for track use. Used to use the Delco "Ultraguard Gold" 1218 but the local shop stopped carrying them, great specs on flow rate and filtration efficiency on the Delco website.

I agree with the earlier comments about Fram, they're crap. Specifically, they use cardboard endplates between the filter media and the external cannister which are prone to leakage and failure. Crappy design.

Why not use the nappa 2qt filter??
It only goes down a bit past the pan and doesent comprimise ground clearance at all. Oh yea its $11 thats why. Its a good thing when breaking an engine in but just not cost effective for regular oil changes. 5qt jug of mobil 1 $20 + $5 for extra qt+ $11 for 2 qt filter= $36.

I always use the 1qt filter, the wallmart brand (super tech) are cheap but are good quality.
SSC

I am using the Fram HP4 for the Big Block and I use the cheapo fram with the easy grip on any of my regular vehicles. I don't worry much about oil filtration and don't consider it to be all that important. The reason for the HP4 is the built in bypass valve since my engine no longer has one.

why is it important to you what filter someone else is using if you don't agree with it?

A few thoughts for the guys buying the frams. You need to weight out the pros and cons. The only good thing about it is the grip. I don't consider it THAT big of an advantage since no matter what I do oil spills all over the filter.
When you can get a metal end cap and metal back flow valve for the same price, why not? The AC Delco normal filter is better than the frams in every way shape and form ( cool blue color is a plus). The frams use cardboard, LESS filtration and a wimpy plastic anti-drain back valve.
$4 vs $4....hmmm, one has an orange and grip but crappy insides.
The obvious choice should be anything but fram unless you plan on doing an engine swap soon.
The idea of an oil filter is an oil filter is fine if you're talking about a daily driver that gets it's filter changed all the time.
But again, I come back to the point, why not spend the extra...nevermind, why not spend the same amount on a proven better build filter?
The oil filter is one of the most important filters on an engine. If you get small particles building up near the cam or crank bearings then it's going to wear premature and that isn't a good thing. Clean oil and a big filter with lots of filtraion area are the best protection from anything that might slip into your engine by accident. You don't want a small piece of metal getting pressed up against your crank do you?
I guess I just don't think that little grip thing is worth the build quality of what's on the INSIDE.
I'm sure you won't have any problems with the fram filters if you change them regularly but still, for the same price why wouldn't you get a better filter?
AC Delco all the way.
Anybody see that sticker from GM that says "Keep your GM vehicle all GM"~I'm a strong believer when it comes to key components. I take that back. GM screwed up on 3 things. The 350 should have been made with the 327 crank but with a larger bore. GM should have advertised the f-body if they wanted to use the low sales excuse. Lastly, GM needed to build a better BB with more oil flow to the cam. Too many good BBC's with rounded off cam lobes because of a poor design!

Well, the reason for the smaller filter, as far as I can tell, is to accomodate the oil cooler adapter on some of the cars as the cooler uses up some of the space where the filter resides. I think the parts manufacturers decided to just put one part number in their books to cover all of the models to simplify things for them. I have been using the PF25 on my car as I just didn't like how low the PF35 resides on my car since it has the oil cooler option.

I didn't know about Fram's crappy insides. I though it was just one of those brand loyalty things. Since I'm doing my engine swap now, I'll start it out right and get an AC Delco. I wish some other brands would make the grips on their filters. I'm gonna miss those. What's the best way to sut open an oil filter? I want to check this out.

If you don’t want to miss out on the grip aspect then use a heavy-duty rubber glove like the ones used around household chemicals (yellow gloves??). That way you get the benefit of a good grip and you keep your hand clean at the same time. Or they make a rubber oil filter griper that slips over the oil filter and this allows a lot of grip. Or if you like the spray on grip so much buy a can of truck bed liner and spray it on the bottom of the oil filter canister. Do AC Delco filters really cost $4 where you live Jon? Down here they only cost $2.50 at Wal-Mart.

If you want grip and quality, get a frieking filter wrench & use the delco filter! Problem solved.

I go one step further on my IROC and use a K&N filter. It's overpriced, but with the miles I put on the IROC, it's not like I'm putting filters on every 3 weeks. It filters better, and it has a 3/4" nut on the bottom for easy removal. It's also got a wire hole so you can wire the filter into place to ensure it won't losen up and come off.