Anyone who works around oil filters regularly knows that an M40A and an M454 have the same threads and gasket diameter... They're just different heights. Whether or not you knew this, lets just think for a minute...

A small block chevy calls for an M454, so that's what I've got on there right now. However, the M40A is about an inch and a half taller, thus more filtering area. For a high performance application, in addition to oil longevity (Mobil 1 synthetic, 5w30) should I be using this taller filter? Or should I just stick with the shorter M454 which both the computer and filter book call for?

I mean, neither would hurt anything, and they're both the same price- so which would be optimal? Common sense tells me the taller M40A... Thanks guys

 

Use the taller one if you want.

BTW only people who work with your particular brand of filter might know that.

 

The numbering system is used by FRAM, Mighty, and some other large filter company... I forget who.

 

Fram calls it a PH5, not an M40A. To AC Delco it's a PF1218.

 

Regardless of the numbers, until you cut them both open and check, you may not have more filtration area. What if the larger one has less pleats in it?

 

good one

 

fram uses a lot of similar numbers


3387, 4651, 4670

 

I also despise Fram filtration systems.

Like Devilman said, taller, shorter, doesn't matter. Between companies, yes, the taller would have more filtration surface. But comparitivly to other brands it may not.

 

I don't touch FRAM

 

If you want a *real* filter get a Donaldson P166564. It's a high performance synthetic media filter direct replacement for the good old AC PF35L.

They ain't cheap, but neither are synthetic oil and hot-rod engines.

 

I get my Mobil 1 for about $3.75 a qt, so it's no big deal

 

There's more to the benefits of a larger filter than surface area of the filter media.

Keep in mind that the two filters are ~1/2 quart different in capacity.

Oil not only lubes the engine, it also helps cool it. That 1/2 quart may not only cool the engine, but keep the overall temp of the oil cooler also.

The only concern two concerns I'd have are

1.) The filter getting scraped by a speed bump, or who knows whatever else especially if the car had been lowered.

2.) The filter being closer to the exhaust, especially if you're running headers. The heat from the exhaust may be enough, if not too much, to overcome the benefit of having more oil present.

I don't believe that's a problem with the stock 'Y'pipe, but it's been a while since I've changed the oil on my car. It's been sitting by the garage for over a year now.

 

yeah the filter has plenty of clearance, and the headers/y-pipe are out of the way. I might as well just toss on the bigger filter- you're right, if not for better filtration and collection, better cooling. Never thought of that.