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Posted by: jonwatts Feb 24 2003, 01:39 AM

I went to my local Kragen autoparts today looking for oil filters for my Subaru engine and noticed (despite 10 yards of Fram filters) that they stock K&N oil filters. I didn't even know they were making oil filters. I usually buy OEM but was wondering if anyone has any input on these things (perhaps on their other cars / wife's car). Not sure how often I'd buy one at $10 a pop but if I were in a jam I'd use one.

http://www.knfilters.com/

Posted by: Brad Roberts Feb 24 2003, 01:41 AM

What does Subaru use from the factory ??

I have tried a few filters on my truck by havent noticed any differences between the Fram Double Guard or the cheaper crappy one they sell.

B

Posted by: jonwatts Feb 24 2003, 01:47 AM

It came with a Subaru factory filter. Not sure what the price is, need to get friendly with the parts guys at the local dealership. It's a tiny thing (smaller than a Mahle T4 filter). If it's near the $10 I'll just use the K&N. They say they have the no-backflow valve to help hold oil in the crankcase and prevent dry starts (this is good to have for turbos / superchargers).

Posted by: Brad Roberts Feb 24 2003, 01:56 AM

I run Mobil1 in everything but the tube car so 10$ filters dont really bother me when I'm paying 4$ a quart for oil. Splurge this one time and buy the K+N filter.

Cut apart the old filter and inspect the "paper" they use.

Run the K+N and cut it apart when it's do for the next oil change.


B

Posted by: Dave Cawdrey Feb 24 2003, 02:09 AM

One thing about Subaru oil filters is Fram's dont work properly. I had a 92 Turbo Sport Sedan (Legacy) for a few years, and Fram is frownd upon in Subaru.

I am a stickler for details, starting w/ OEM parts

Posted by: jonwatts Feb 24 2003, 02:14 AM

I like Brad's idea of cutting them open for comparison. Let's see how the band saw at work does on the OEM one

Posted by: Mark Henry Feb 24 2003, 01:37 PM

On my bugs I use the big pumps with the Full Flow filter adaptors. I could use the cheap PH-8A filters, but I once had one on it and on a cold morning it blew up like a balloon.

I have always used the HP-1 Fram but some guys are saying that they don't like them.
Any experience or problems with them?

On the stock T4 I've always used OEM.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Feb 24 2003, 04:17 PM

I won't use Fram, ever. :finger2:

A couple of pages from someone who did take apart a bunch of filters, and posted what he found--
http://www.minimopar.net/oilfilters.html
http://www.minimopar.net/oilfilterstudy.html

--DD

Posted by: jonwatts Feb 24 2003, 04:48 PM

Wow Dave, excellent site (even tho they don't mention the K&N).

Posted by: Mark Henry Feb 24 2003, 05:43 PM

Now that I believe that a lot more than "they say"

Mobil 1 looks good, but I have some more reading to do.

I should mount the 'Puter in the shitter, I do most of my reading in there anyways.

Posted by: ChrisReale Mar 26 2003, 12:17 AM

I found a gift card for Schucks in my pants after they went through the wash. Had enough left on it for a K&N oil filter. Ill cut :gilloutine: the old Mahle in half, and do the same with the K&N after I have some use out of it.

Posted by: givory Mar 26 2003, 06:07 AM

After a nearly disaster using the Fram Double Guard, I switched to the K&N for my /6 vintage racer, and won't be going back to the Fram. It seems to have an unusually fat/soft rubber o-ring, which in my case blew out while on track. Since my filter is front trunk mounted, oil sprayed everywhere nearly emptying a 13L sump tank, getting under my tires, and off track I flew. What a mess. That's my experience, anyways.

Gavin Ivory
VARAC #58

Posted by: Mark Henry Mar 26 2003, 07:29 AM

This is the only reason why I have always used the Fram HP-1! I'm paying 3 time's the cash just for a stronger can.
I would never use a PH-8A or a double guard. I will try the K&N or the Mobil 1 next time.

Posted by: Mark Henry Mar 26 2003, 07:36 AM

I hate to hear that my fav filter is just an el'cheapo in a good can' but I've never had this happen and I've got a big pump and rev my bug up to 7000rpm.

Posted by: Mark Henry Mar 26 2003, 07:40 AM

The above photo's were lifted (OK, stolen) from Tom Perso's thread on the STF. Here's the whole thread if you want to read it:

http://shoptalkforums.com/bbs/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/005387.html

Posted by: Targa Mar 26 2003, 01:52 PM

I like K&N oil filters. They are easy to remove and install as you can use a crescent wrench.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Apr 5 2003, 10:59 PM

i use a K&N oil filter on the E-Prepared ur-GTI. one very nice thing about that hex nut on the bottom is that it's already drilled for a safety wire hole.

last time i checked, they DO NOT make a filter that fits any modern Subaru (or there would be one in the '97 Legacy Outback right now). check the application book and if your vehicle is not listed, make -real sure- the place will take a filter back (and don't pitch the old one!) if the threads are wrong. i'd love to use a K&N filter on the Subie but the dealer filters are only $6.50 so i can't complain...

Posted by: J P Stein Apr 5 2003, 11:11 PM

Reading your way back thru the posts, Rich?

This one was off page 6 so ya gots a long ways to go.

Posted by: jonwatts Apr 5 2003, 11:54 PM

I'll have to triple check that. I believe they had a listing for the 2002 WRX which is the same as my motor (EJ20). I liked the hex nut feature too, though I haven't had to much trouble removing an oil filter in the last 12 years.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Apr 6 2003, 12:19 AM

i haven't needed much more than my big slipjoint pliers to pull a filter in a long time so i don't think there's -that- much value in the nut feature. i -do- like the safety wire hole, and use it in the ur-GTI, but i don't know where i'd fasten it in the Subie -- which is unlikely to see any track time anyway...

i'll check my FLAPS for new applications too -- it's been a year since i checked, and they had nothing for anything much newer than a BRAT at that time - nothing for the 2,5 at all (and the early one won't fit a '97 2,5 - thank you for not asking how i'm so sure...)