K&N - Mobil 1 Oil Filters - Identical?!

K&N, Mo1, STP, Bosch, and even WalMart "SuperTech" filters are all made by Champion Labs. I hear the new Royal Purple filter is a Champion, too.

There are some subtle differences in some of them, though.
(Typically, the Mo1 filters use a finer spec filter element for synth oil; the SuperTechs use the cheaper "clicker" bypass valves.)

There are only a handful of actual filter manufacturers. Most "brand" names are made by someone else.

 

I like the nut on the end of the K & N filters, makes them sooo much easier to change in hard to reach places.

 

Is there any comparison done for the UFI or Baldwin Filters?
According to this Baldwin is in the Best top five: http://www.bestcovery.com/best-oil-filter

 

+1. But since they do not possess the internal standpipe, you still don't want to use it on a 308/328/Mondial. Stick with UFI or Baldwin.

 

I believe you might find a thread here somewhere where someone compared the internals. It seemed they were pretty much equally high quality...and with Baldwins only $10, most would opt for them.

 

does mobile 1 or K make one for Ferrari?

 

The nut is obvious but brilliant. I'm so sick and tired of pounding a screw driver through an oil filter to remove it.

 

A filter wrench -- either a multisize band or individual size cap type -- is a pretty obvious garage toolbox accessory for under $10.
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The statement including Bosch in the Champion produced filters is incorrect. Purolator is wholly owned by Bosch and Mann/Hummel is a partnership. Champion does not supply Bosch.

K&N is a marketers dream - nothing more. Their air filters are a whole other story. The majority of oil filters are brands. Stick with a manufacturer or buy the OEM filter.

 

I have found filters so stuck a filter wrench wouldn't move them. The band wrench would spin, and the cap wrench would round the end of the filter.

 

Apparently so, as of 2008: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=206916
The older Bosch filters were made by Champ.
(1999 and 2008 comparos) http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/reference.html#bosch (Scroll up for the review of Baldwin/Hastings on the same page.)
(from 2000) http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy-german.html#72150

You need to change your filter more often.

With a band wrench, I find that a slow steady pressure works better than trying to hammer the thing off.

 

No. They claim in their applications guides they have something that fits the 308/328/Mondial and it physically will, but does not have the internal standpipe, so it will be a long and agonizing time while the "low oil pressure" light is illuminated on your dash with each cold start. I vaguely recall buying a Mobil 1 filter, after seeing it in their application guide and could not figure out the light issue...until learning about the standpipe on the Ferrari List. I promptly bought a UFI filter from the dealer and resolved the issue.

Seriously, the Baldwin rocks as far as quality, and for only $10 cannot be beat. If you are impressed with names, I would get the UFI over a Mobil 1 or K&N oil filter.

For a 348 or 355, we have no choice but to use the factory recommended Purflux filter. There are no cross references.

 

Back in 2000, when UFI had the recall issue with the sealing rings, the shop put a Fram on my 328. I had the same low pressure start issue.

I switched it to a Baldwin, and haven't looked back. The dealer still uses UFI, but I still prefer the Baldwin for my Italians. (The 328 and the Alfa spider both use the same filter.)


For the EVO, I use the Mo1 (by Champ Labs). I called Champ Labs about it, back in '03 or so. The SuperTech was about $2 at Wally Mart vs $15 at AutoZone for the Mo-1 -- both made by Champ, and I wanted to know the difference.
Champ uses a different filter element in the Mo1 branded filters, intended for fully synth oil.
Where the filter is mounted hanging downward under the engine, it doesn't need the standpipe.

I was also a bit concerned how *small* the EVO's filter is. But then, the ricer holds less than 5 Qts of oil, to over 10 liters in the 328. The Alfa carries a whopping 12L in that big finned aluminum oil pan (that doubles as an oil cooler).