Thread: The Air Filter Poll

Originally Posted by rick130

FFS fella's didn't anyone read what I said when I posted that link to Spicers test results ??
I'll say it again in plain English

An AC-Delco isn't the best filter for your vehicle, it only tested the best of the cellulose filters in that particular test. Not really surprising as it is the OE filter for that engine. Another brand of cellulose fibre filter may test best on another engine.
Most AC Delco's available in Oz aren't even sourced from the US. Fact is that most filter manufacturers only produce a narrow range of filters in their particular brand segment, and outsource all other production. Even the biggest rivals and biggest filter manufacturers like Donaldson, Fleetguard/Cummins and Mann-Hummel buy off each other or the same outside sources to fill holes in their range. Example is the Donaldson oil filters I use. they are made by Champion Laboratories in the US using Donaldson media. The same company make the same filter for Fleetguard. I know of several Donaldson filters that are made by Baldwin, and a lot of Purolators are sourced from Asia these days. The list goes on.....

Look at that testing as comparing media types, not which brand is better.

What Rick Said!!!

However I don't think the big 2 companies (MANN+HUMMEL or Donaldson) do any product sharing. Donaldson hold most of the patents for new media and filter technology, so sometimes some companies may need to pay royalties to donaldson. There are also situations with a lot of products that they can be sold everywhere in the world except the US, because donaldson only has a US patent.

Most of the new generation of filter media (e.g. microfibre glass) is manufactured by Hollingsworth and Vose. They have a good cooperation with Donaldson, but still sell media to all the other companies, and/or develop special media exclusively for them.

Still running the standard oil bath on the Series 3 at the moment.
My preference, is for nice big free flowing K & N style cleanable filters.


Shorty.