Oil Filters-Motorcraft FL-820S vs. Ford Racing FL-820

[tomshep]

Well, I had always wondered about the difference in these filters, so I decided to cut them open to examine the guts to see how they are different and determine what make the Ford Racing unit worth about $15 more.

For perspective, the Motorcraft is always on the left. Ford Racing on the right.

This is not intended to be a this one is better than the other, or even comparing to other brands. It just lets us see how they are different inside.

Here is the weight difference.

 

[tomshep]

Notice the difference in the hole arrangements. 6 oblong holes vs. 8 round holes.

The blue gasket was also more robust.

 

[tomshep]

Once open, the canister and plate that screws on was thicker, which accounts for the weight difference. The silicone seal seemed to be comparable.

 

[svt662]

So the question! Is the Ford Racing filter worth the extra money?

 

[tomshep]

Both paper filter media seemed to be of the same material, but the Ford Racing was a more dense design with more pleats. I wonder how the flow is different with more pleats, since that leaves less "space" for the oil to flow through between the pleats. It also had the string around the perimeter. The ends of each metal section seemed to be the same.

 

[svt662]

Great photos!

 

[specracer]

Wow, well done. Very interesting.

 

[Catmonkey]

What are the differences in the by-pass springs?

 

[SID297]

IMO, the FRPP filter is not worth the money when compared to some other premium manufacturers out there.

 

[Clemson]

The FRPP leaked the two times I tried it so went back to the Motorcraft.

 

[svt662]

I have used 4 Ford racing filters with a total of 700 miles and l never had 1 leak. But my Shelby stays in my garage with no drive time so maybe they can leak!

 

[BrunotheBoxer]

Great posts Tom.


I always get the racing filter and my dealer never charged me the extra cost so far.

 

[nxhappy]

good pictures. to me, the difference does not seem substantial. It looks like they would flow roughly the same.

 

[Catmonkey]

The FRPP leaked the two times I tried it so went back to the Motorcraft.

That's been my experience with them too. They have to be tightened a little more than hand tight.

 

[WVTrakPak]

Got an oil change coming when I break her out this year and I ordered one today. Nice work on this tomshep.

 

[jjandascog1]

"Both paper filter media seemed to be of the same material, but the Ford Racing was a more dense design with more pleats."

More pleats gives more filter area for the oil to flow through....

 

[beau t]

looks like 52 pleats to 64 pleats but my counting could be off, the materials look a little different also, unless 1 is used, does anyone know the micron count between the 2?

 

[99cobrajn]

very cool thanks for posting!

 

[tomshep]

"Both paper filter media seemed to be of the same material, but the Ford Racing was a more dense design with more pleats."

More pleats gives more filter area for the oil to flow through....

I agree, but at a certain point the pleats get very close and the oil has to flow through the space between the pleats. I'm sure the engineers that design this stuff are smarter than me. Just a shade-tree mechanics observation.

Tom

 

[ashleyroachclip]

There are also more holes in the center canister on the FRPP filter.