Lifetime Oil Filter

[William Gooch]

Has anyone used the lifetime oil filters sold by HS Performance Parts for Ford Small blocks. The filters utilize a stainless steel micron filter cloth that can be cleaned and reused. The website is:
www.hsperformanceparts.com.
The cost is high, but is claimed to have very low restrictive flow. The filter is machined from a solid 6061 billet. Saw their advertisement in the April 2009 copy of Hot Rod, page 107.

[RICK LAKE]

William Gooch Bill I took a quick look at this filter and it is just like an air filter from KEM or K&N. It doesn't say what the micron size of the cloth is ? It doesn't say what oil the flow test was done with. You can buy 10-15 oil filters for the price of this one. Baldwin, Fram HP ones, or Winns all sell high flow filters. If you are looking for a race filter, Moroso and Omni both sell sandwich filters with different micron screens in them. I cut my filters open after racing and look at the pleats for any metal in them. This is the best early warning you can get. Oil pressure drops 2-3 lbs another per warning. It's a nice looking unit but a like running a Mag filter on the outside of my oil filter. This catchs all the little partials in the oil of metal. I have a 1 million mile K&N air filter. I clean it every 6 months. It is starting to break down after 8 years of useage. Even diesel companies don't use reusable filters any more. JMO and 30+ years of wrench turning. Rick L.

[wideglidejoe]

William,

I am running something similar to what you describe, but on a Harley.

I purchased mine from NRHS (http://www.nrhsperformance.com/partslubrication.shtml) when I built my Harley for more performance. I cut/pasted their description below.....

"Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, don’t trust it to a cheap paper element oil filter! The NRHS Hurricane Oil Filter cleans your oil to an absolute 35 micron size, below the limit of human visibility and only slightly bigger than a white blood cell. Unlike a paper filter, this is an absolute filtration spec, meaning nothing larger than this should pass through the filter (paper elements are rated on an average or percent of efficiency, meaning they can and do pass much larger particles). The integrated magnet further enhances the filtration capabilities of the most abrasive ferrous particles. The medical grade stainless mesh is 100% cleanable and flows more than 7 times more oil for the same time period as a paper element, ensuring that even during cold startup with heavy oil your engine is getting filtered oil. Tested to 1500psi, the heavy duty case is polished to a beautiful finish and the aluminum finned construction assists with heat dissipation.. There is no finer oil filter made for your Harley Davidson or Buell! Comes complete with wrench for installation/removal."

I can't look at the one you are looking at from my work, but if this sounds comparable to the one you are looking at, I'll give my opinion for whatever it's worth.

I ran my '05 H-D Wide Glide w/stock internals until I had 7,000 miles on it, then built it w/considerable mod's (big bore kit, big cams, big heads, forged pistons, etc); took it from stock 60 hp/82 tq to 107 hp/107 tq. I've been using the Hurricane lifetime filter ever since (and Mobil 1 synthetic), and I've got over 30,000 miles on it now, with VERY HARD riding! NRHS builds engines and runs their bikes at Bonneville salt flats using this same filter. I've no regrets and would do it again.

[Bxx1]

I fully and completely understand the reasoning to have "the best of the best" and to have an uncompromised engine, etc. Whether its an oil filter, oil, fuel injection system, head work, etc. etc. I have been using a Wix racing filter and synthetic oil, which I change about every 2000 miles (I drive about 4000 miles a year) or so. Way more than necessary. IMHO - If you got the $$$, time, expertise, knowledge, assurance its a good/great product, then go for it.

[wtm442]

I remember when Ford introduced their lifetime ball joints that did not require grease.

I also remember installing greasable ball joints in that $hitbox of a car after the lifetime ball joints wore out in about 2.5 years.

Give the lifetime oil filter a rest. Just buy a quality oil filter that removes dirt particles down to 10 micons for about $8 to $12 per filter. Change the oil and the filter once a year.

[vector1]

i've had a system 1 filter on the truck from way back. it filters to about 30/40 micron i've been told, anything less and it won't flow i was told also.

i've read both good and bad about the screen mesh stuff.

imo, it is a hassle to clean, costs a lot, and i have yet to see any tests/experiments what have you on the superiority.

i think a canister type with fiber or synthetic media in the realm of what canton sells would be of superior filtering quality.

i've never heard of any of the big race teams that have been around a while using screen mesh type filters.

flow would be good, and i can't remember what size 30 or 40 micron is, but anything smaller would have to pass through the bearings and other paraphanelia.

i just don't see the benefit of these type filters, except to give one the fuzzies and put money in somebodies pocket.

i'm sure compared to some filters they would be suprior, and then to others would fall behind, depends what you compare it to and the application.

just a few things to think about, good luck.

[William Gooch]

Rick Lane et al,
All your responses are why I value this site. Was not considering buying the filter as I only put about 1200 miles per year on my car and many good paper filters are available. However, I do use the K&N air Filter and my interest was in a similar design for the oil filter and comments from the forum. I have searched the forum and their is a broad opinion on the best oil filters. My
5.8l 351W block was cast in 1984 for use in a Ford Galaxie and was the basis for the 400hp Engine Factory engine used in BDR 473. I am still looking for recommendations on the best oil filter based on experience. Thanks to all.

[ERA Chas]

Wix, Mobil 1, System 1, K&N, Moroso, Delco.
All based on experience and observed performance. You do not have a critical application and any of these surpass your needs.

[Bxx1]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Wix, Mobil 1, System 1, K&N, Moroso, Delco.
All based on experience and observed performance. You do not have a critical application and any of these surpass your needs.

--I couldnt say it any better...