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I was just wondering if a larger oil filter could be used in place of the OEM one?

Just use OEM

A larger filter also would increase oil capacity, so if you decide to use one, make sure you compensate for that.

Wouldn't increased oil capacity or larger oil filtering area be better? Or is the increase insignificant?

Would a larger filter by any chance reduce oil pressure?

I suppose it would.. I mean, that's now a larger area for oil to fill, and when it spreads to a larger area, as opposed to the previous 'smaller' area (in terms of oil pan, lines, coolers, etc, where oil resides in the system) it does have a chance of dropping pressure, but I'd wager it's negligible. But that's just a guess, yo.

I don't know for sure, but it seems to me that it could affect pressure if it has different flow characteristics. And it might have an inappropriate bypass pressure, since the appropriate bypass pressure depends on the flow through the filter. I dunno.

On turbo models (especially 91 turbo models), a larger filter could get dangerously close to the exhaust manifold.

What are you hoping to achieve? Longer replacement intervals?

What larger filter would you use? You need the same threading, thread depth, and o-ring size as the stock one, right?

The same questions arises when you consider something like an oil cooler, which has to change the flow characteristics and resistance in the system in some way. The beauty of hydraulics is that liquid doesn't compress appreciably, so if the system works right, more capacity shouldn't diminish pressure.

There are a few oversize filter options on the market, and a lot of filters share threads, depth and o-ring size, but are smaller for space concerns.

Some even vary in size by brand though they're for the same car. With boats, they're are sometime fairly significant size differences for the same application, but as long as the O-ring's in the right spot and it threads on, nobody's heard of a problem.

Steve

vrg3, what I'm thinking is that a larger oil filter would give a larger oil capacity and that it would "last" longer and filter better due to a larger surface filtering area. And if it didn't truly cause any damage to the engine, I figured "why not use it then?"

But I also figured that there's probably one or a few things I didn't think about that would make using a larger filter undesirable.

You've all given me some practical things to think about. Thanks!

BTW, does anyone on the board use a larger oil filter?

I do. I dont have the part number, its at "other home," i think its a mitsu part. My reasoning was that the less restriction the better circulation.

It doesnt matter.
Oil filters are secondary.
A magnetic plug is what you want.
Youll see it working every time you pull it out gaurenteed.

Oil flows at high pressure, but low volume. 99% of all the bad stuff, will fall to the bottom of the pan before it gets sucked up anyway.

www.wondermagnet.com

Pure Neodymium, yo. Buy the grab bags, and you won't be disappointed. If you're even REMOTELY geeky, you'll enjoy playing with this bag of magnets. serious.

Oh yeah, neodymium is awesome! It's flabbergasting how much pull a tiny piece can have.

The speakers I've been meaning to install in my car for about two years now have neodymium magnets. That allows them to be very lightweight and have a shallow mounting depth. Whenever I do get around to installing them, my car will be faster!

For sure it will! Those magnets are the only ones I've seen that have warnings for small pieces. Unfortunately, due to their crackability/shrapnel-like attributes, I could see the sale of them in large quantities being regulated in one form or another... But make no mistake, they CAN hurt you!
I only buy speakers with verified pure neodymium, due to the quality I know that comes with it. I mean, can you get any better than an element!?!

i used a biger oil filter and i had to put 5.2liters in if i use the small one it takes 4.4 or 4.5liters. with the bigger filter it stayed cleaner alot but when i got headers i had to say good bye to that

How about using a 6 cylinder filter?

According to endwrench the threads, o-ring, and bypass valve are the same but the filtration surface is a little more than 70% larger.
http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/OilFilters.pdf

The filters themselves are almost identical. The only visual difference is the part number and the way the metal part on the inside is. The 4 cyl is convex while the 6 cyl is concave.

Just have to make sure the body of the filter clears.

Steve

Now that's interesting information in that article. Thanks!

The filters are the same size physically.

Are these magnetic oil drain plugs any good?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... %3AIT&rd=1

THAWA wrote:How about using a 6 cylinder filter?

According to endwrench the threads, o-ring, and bypass valve are the same but the filtration surface is a little more than 70% larger.
http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/OilFilters.pdf

The filters themselves are almost identical. The only visual difference is the part number and the way the metal part on the inside is. The 4 cyl is convex while the 6 cyl is concave.

That's very interesting... According to Fram books the same filter goes for all 2.2, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.3 engines, except for 2005 models, which use a smaller filter. Personally, I think Mobil1 or K&N filter is the way to go. Neither of these brands have a filter for 2.2 and 2.5L engines, but if you cross-reference Fram's 3593A, you will get one that fits. The only difference is the depth of threads on the filter, instead of turning it 5 times to get it tight, it needs only 2 turns. I've been using Mobil1 filters for more than a year and had no problems.