Oil filter...which one?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Toledo FJ said:
The 35 micron rating on the turfilter is an absolute rating. That means that no particle larger than 35 microns can possibly pass through the filter. The micron rating on the filters you guys are talking about is an average rating. That means that particles much larger than the rated number can and do pass through the filter. A number of performance filters use the stainless steel filter media found in Trufilter and all of them have been shown to filter 35 micron and smaller particles about 90% better than paper filters while maintaining much higher flow rates. I can only tell you from my first hand experience, but I love this thing. I've had it on for three oil changes now, and I have not a single complaint.

Due to the better filtration, you can go 7500 miles between changes if you want. I still change oil every 3000 miles, but I'm anal and I want this truck to run forever.
Click to expand...

I believe the stock filter is the only paper filter for the FJ...I was saying that it says "35 Microns" dosen't say the number that it filters down to, THAT bothers me. Lol, I just watched the Two-Road to Baja video with the FJ's, noticed the black second place winner (TRD Baja) actually used the K&N filter over the TRD one...kinda odd.
 
Toledo FJ said:
When I say paper, I mean paper and synthetic media.
Click to expand...

Paper and synthetic filter quite differently...the cellulose in the K&N is known to filter FAR better than paper. So it's kinda silly to say "when I mean paper, I mean synthetic as well". I see no proof of your stainless steel mesh being more effective than cellulose, and when you say "A number of performance filters use the stainless steel filter media found in Trufilter" you do mean OIL filters right? And if so, which ones? K&N and Amsoil are both high-end oil filters, neither of them use "Stainless steel mesh" which is why I am asking what you are talking about. If these oil filters were SO much better than the high grade replacement filters, then something tells me they would be far more common in the mod\racer\off-roader market.

They seem cool, by I don't see anything that proves to me how well they filter in comparison to other filters. Saying they are better than paper filters isn't saying much, and saying they are better than synthetic...well...you have to have some pretty solid evidence to claim that. And I can't find any.

I could order it right now, but until I am 100% sure about the product and HOW well it filters, I'm avoiding it. It hasn't gotten much coverage which usually says something, the K&N and all the rest released their "Cleanable-high-flow" air filters they were all the craze....why isn't this?

They also say some serious BS on their website... "Air filters are now running 300$" where did they gather that from? I just bought a AFE Pro-Dry S filter for 55$ shipped to replace my cotton-gauze (oil) air filter in my CAI. Seems as if they are using that B.S. as a unneeded justification for the price. Then they go on to say "here are two top seeling oil filters so you can see what they look like after being used" but show no data on what filters they are, or brand...just seems sketchy, no solid data. Then again it says "LARGEST FILTERING AREA- Deep pleated, duplex woven, 30 micron, T304 stainless steel filter" it seems as if they don't go down to small microns because Truflow claims "well we studied the microns and 40-30 were the most dangerous ones in the engine" it REALLY doesn't seem like they designed the filter in mind, to filter anything below 30 effectively. As a matter of fact, the only thing they say about smaller particles than 30 is "We added a rare earth magnet to our filter to eliminate even smaller particles from entering your engine." wow, that tells me a lot.

From what I've read, I would LOVE to pit the K&N or Amsoil filter against the Truflow filter, and I would be willing to bet MONEY that they would filter better.

The ideal and the ONLY one that I have gathered information that says it is a very effective cleanble oil filter, is the Pure Power oil filter, which has won quite a few awards. If I was going with one, I'd prob go for that since they actually have TRUE tests done on their filters. Not just gibberish.
Pure Power Oil Filters High Performance Motor Oil
Their filters go all the way down to 10 microns..they have been in the field of making cleanable oil filters for FAR longer than this "tru flow" brand. Hopefully soon they'll start making some Toyota ones.
 
Last edited:
you are correct. That was silly of me to say. But I don't think I'm wrong about their superior filtration. Just call any of the companies that make these and ask for independent data proving superior filtration. They have it. I don't care if you buy one or not. It is your engine. I was just putting it out there. I CAN say from personal use that the trufilter is awesome. I love it and wouldn't go back to the other filters I ran (TRD, Mobile 1,K&N.

As to the other companies: Scotts, Flo, Pure Power, KTM, K&P...... I can keep going, but you get the point. Just google "Stainless steel oil filters"

I don't know what you mean about not getting much coverage: being on a winning BAJA 1000 race truck is pretty good exposure and good evidence that it works. Lots of people in the race world know about and run stainless filters. Especially motorcycle and atv guys. If you google "Trufilter oil filter" you'll get a bunch of hits including reviews. I couldn't find any that debunked their claims.

There are indeed $300 dollar air filters, so that isn't BS.

The Trufilter and Pure power filter are the same thing dude. So, why you think the Pure Power filter is so special, I don't understand. I agree it is an awesome filter, but so are all the others. They use the exact same surgical grade stainless steel filter. The claims made by both companies are essentially identical. In fact, the Trufilter has a higher burst pressure.

I think you would loose money on your bet!

But again, i have had the Trufilter on my truck for almost 10,000 miles and couldn't be happier.
 
Last edited:
Toledo FJ said:
you are correct. That was silly of me to say. But I don't think I'm wrong about their superior filtration. Just call any of the companies that make these and ask for independent data proving superior filtration. They have it. I don't care if you buy one or not. It is your engine. I was just putting it out there. I CAN say from personal use that the trufilter is awesome. I love it and wouldn't go back to the other filters I ran (TRD, Mobile 1,K&N.

As to the other companies: Scotts, Flo, Pure Power, KTM, K&P...... I can keep going, but you get the point. Just google "Stainless steel oil filters"

I don't know what you mean about not getting much coverage: being on a winning BAJA 1000 race truck is pretty good exposure and good evidence that it works. Lots of people in the race world know about and run stainless filters. Especially motorcycle and atv guys. If you google "Trufilter oil filter" you'll get a bunch of hits including reviews. I couldn't find any that debunked their claims.

There are indeed $300 dollar air filters, so that isn't BS.

The Trufilter and Pure power filter are the same thing dude. So, why you think the Pure Power filter is so special, I don't understand. I agree it is an awesome filter, but so are all the others. They use the exact same surgical grade stainless steel filter. The claims made by both companies are essentially identical. In fact, the Trufilter has a higher burst pressure.

I think you would loose money on your bet!

But again, i have had the Trufilter on my truck for almost 10,000 miles and couldn't be happier.
Click to expand...


Pure Power filters to 10, Truflow says NOTHING about that, where are you gathering the burst pressure on your filter? I see NOTHING on the website. Why do I think the Pure Power is special, as in better? Because a SS filter isn't a SS filter, that's like saying a Synthetic filter is a synthetic filter, which is NOT true, they are NEVER equal, there is ALWAYS a better, or worse version. PurePower has actually won awards. Just because they strapped a "Lifetime Oil Filter" on a baja racer, and raced for a day or two, and MADE it there, doesn't really mean that oil filter was good, or bad. That's a short time, not exactly enough to prove anything. I could say, oh the baja FJ used a K&N and won 2nd place in it's class, oh so it's clearly better than everything else, but that's not true. Short race, and with OIL filters you need long-term data.

Also, do you mind looking up a standard 300$ air filter? I'm having problems finding one. Even more so when they refer to the 300$ as an average price. Also, why do you think Purepower and Truflow are the same? Is it because they are BOTH ss filters? Because they have a stainless steel mesh, that makes them identical? Well then damn, guess there isn't any difference between a K&N, TRD, or Mobile1 filter! No, but really, look at the specs. They are quite different.


And what claims am I trying to debunk? All Truflow claims is that it is a cleanable air filter, that is better than paper, and can filter down to 30 microns...which isn't that impressive when other synthetic filters do 10-15. I am curious as to how you believe a filter that specifically says "filters down to 30 microns" is going to filter BETTER than one that goes down to 15 or 10, thus is able to catch far smaller particles.

Another thing to note, is neither company, has compared it's "high end oil filter" to any "high end disposables" which is silly I believe. All I keep seeing is "better than paper" which would be stock...they don't say anything about higher grade race oil filters such as TRD (which I hear is crap), K&N, or Amsoil, or even Mobile1. That is another reason I doubt they filter better than those, if they did, they would be damn sure to showcase it.

It's good that you enjoy your filter, all I'm saying is their "superior filtration" data is a joke. They compare it to a stock, crappy paper filter. They don't go into the higher grade ones when that is exactly what their filter should be competing with.
 
Let it be how you say it. They use the exact same filter media. like I said, just call them and they will give you all the data you want. It is a sick filter.
 
Last edited:
Toledo FJ said:
Let it be how you say it. They use the exact same filter media. like I said, just call them and they will give you all the data you want. It is a sick filter.
Click to expand...

What I'm saying is it isn't just the filter MEDIA that makes the filter. If that was true then one synthetic filter wouldn't be any different than the next, and so on. I'll get one maybe down the road, for now I like changing mine out just fine.
 
That is kinda what I'm implying to some degree. All the cheap paper filters are pretty much the same, all the high end synthetic filters are pretty much the same, and Stainless steel filters are pretty much the same. I've looked at the Pure Power and don't see much diff other than the bypass valve, which I didn't want. Here are the specs for the Pure Power filter:

http://www.gopurepower.com/site/products/techsheets/filter.pdf

Here are some of the same specs on the Trufilter:

Trufilter.com

You will notice, in fact, that the trufilter uses an even finer filter - 30 micron vs 45 micron. The only diff I see is the bolw by valve, which IMO isn't necessary due to the increased flow these filters provide. If you just clean the filter when you change your oil, you'll never have a situation where you'd need a bypass valve anyhow. Remember, bypass valves mean completely unfiltered oil circulates through the engine. I'm anal about changing oil every 3000 mi, and I clean the filter every time.

The burst pressure can be found in the FAQ section of the trufilter website:

8) I have a high pressure oil pump. How much pressure will the aluminum filter take? An filter was pressure tested to 1500 PSI Let us know if you need more than that.

Now I know it isn't just the media that makes the filter, but I just don't see any radical diff between the two other than the bypass valve. Both have a base that look the same, both have a top the looks the same, and both use similar filter media.

I Just find it odd that you are so impressed with Pure Power and so skeptical of Trufilter. They are essentially identical. Please tell me what is so different about the two?
 
First off, the K&N handles up to a burst PSi rate of 1500 PSI, so that's really not impressive that the Truflow does as well. I find it odd that the Truflow has a "finer filter" yet it DOES not say anything about filtering smaller than 30 microns effectively, where as Purepower boldly states "down to 10". And bypass valves do NOT mean complete uncirculated oil goes through your engine, it STILL gets filtered technically speaking. And once again NEITHER of these filters compare thier filtration ability to SYNTHETICS, so you can NOT say it filters better than a cellulose or other synthetic filter.

Once again, my point in bold. I see NO proof of the filtration in this being higher, or equal to that of the high-end synthetic filters. They only compare to paper, and that ain't what I'm running. Until they stack up against the big dogs and prove it instead of every example being against your paper filter, I'm not biting.
 
Last edited:
I was comparing the burst pressure against the Pure Power filter which lists at 1000 psi. I never even mentioned K&N. I really don't care if you bite or not.

Clearly you aren't sold on the SS filters and that is fine. But to make claims that their data is jibberish, and that they don't work isn't true.

Unless they misprinted, the Trufilter uses a 30 micron screen vs 45 micron for the Pure Power filter. It may be a typo, but even if it is a typo, they both use the exact same filter media.

Oil that passes through the bypass valve when it is open is unfiltered. Explain to me how "technically speaking" the oil still gets filtered if it never passes through the media?

Again, the micron rating on these SS filters is an ABSOLUTE rating. You keep saying that it only filters down to 35 microns and that isn't true. The rating means that nothing LARGER than 35 microns can pass through. It is the maximum size particle it traps, NOT the minimum size. All of the SS filters I've read about claim to filter particles SMALLER than 35 microns 90% better than paper.

How they stack up against the high end synthetics I don't know for sure, but I'll find out. Regardless, the trufilter, and its competitors is a very good filter, it saves oil and money in the long run, and it turn is good for the planet. I'm VERY happy with it. You wanted to know of a filter that provides good filtration and high flow rates. The trufilter, Purepower, etc, both fit that bill.
 
Toledo FJ said:
I was comparing the burst pressure against the Pure Power filter which lists at 1000 psi. I never even mentioned K&N. I really don't care if you bite or not.

Clearly you aren't sold on the SS filters and that is fine. But to make claims that their data is jibberish, and that they don't work isn't true.
Click to expand...

I am saying their data is jibberish to anyone who has run anything higher-grade than a stock filter. They say "35 Micorons" or "30" ok, absolute, nothing larger than that can pass through, HOW does that in any way tell me how small of particles it can filter? K&N tells me straight out, Truflow doesn't, I'm done talking about this as it's getting old. You're content with it, that's all that matters, if it makes you happy, it was worth it.
 
For clarity: Rarely does an oil filter's bypass valve kick in. Only when a filter is getting plugged up or the oil is so thick (from cold/viscosity) that the differential pressure across the oil filter element exceeds a predetermined value (which varies depending on the engine application), the bypass valve opens so oil can continue to flow to the engine. A portion of the oil still flows thru the filter if it can. An oil filter is rarely ever completely plugged, unless it has never been changed or there is a problem with the engine.

As well, if the engine is operating fine and the bypass kicks in because you are running straight 30 weight dino in -30F temps, as soon as the oil thins out the bypass stops and you are filtering ALL of your oil again. That's the same oil that was sitting in your oil pan, clean, filtered oil. So it's not a problem to run that oil thru your engine for a few minutes under the unlikely conditions I mentioned above.

There is NOT a bunch of junk floating around in your oil. Only small enough particles that are not filtered out by your filter (bypass or not). That's what makes it dark. The only way to remove those is to run something like an Amsoil dual/bypass filter that filter's down to sub-micron levels.

I hope this helps.

DEWPFO
 
Hey Dewfpo,
I read a review of some filters a while back, sorry I can't remember where, that said some of the cheaper ones had valves that were partially opening under normal operating pressures. If I can find the article again, I'll post a link.

I haven't had a chance to call Trufilter to ask what the smallest particle it will stop is, but i'll try to do that today. I take it you haven't called to ask them anything either? I think it is safe to assume that it will filter down to the same size of any of the other filters using the identical SS media. If you look at the design of these filters, they are essentially identical. They have a base, a filter, and a top. So I don't see how one will filter better than anoter using the exact same filter.

All I can speak on at this point is my personal experience with the trufilter, which has been excellent. All you have to do is open the top and look inside to confirm that it is doing its job.

I don't think the conversation is gettin old, considernig we haven't gotten the answers to your questions yet. I'm not trying to challenge you or irritate you. I just want to know what the truth is. If I'm wrong about the trufilter, I'll be happy to switch back to the high end synthetic filters. Honestly, as long as it filters as well as the stock filter, I'm cool with it. If you change your oil regularly, and replace or clean your filter you aren't gonna have any problems. It's a yota! So if it is at least as good as the stock filter, the economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits justify it as a good purchase as far as I'm concerned. I run only Nippon ENEOS full synthetic 5W-40 oil and I change oil every 3000 miles and thoroughly clean the filter religiously. I have no doubts that my engine will last for many, many years.

Prior to purchasing my FJ, I was really not able to do much more than change a tire and my oil. And honestly, I didn't ever change my own oil. The FJ has totally changed all of that and I'm getting more confident in my mechanical abilities every day. Now I've done bumpers, rock rails, CAI install, Full suspension swaps, including all contorl arms etc. For me this truck has opened me up to a new fun hobby and I've made some good friends via FJ mod days in my area. For me the trufilter has the added benefit of being one more cool part to play with and get my hands dirty. I just think it is fun to be able to take things apart, see how they work, see how well they are working, etc... So yes, I'm very happy with my decision, and as you stated, that is really all that matters. Good luck with your rig and whatever you decide to do with it. I have nothing but love for fellow FJ'ers! I'll let you knwo what I find out when I talk to the folks at Trufilter.

One last thing I want to mention is that I don't think a company website is always a good indicator of a quality product. For instance, Budbuilt and Dirty Parts are known in the FJ community as providing some of the very best products and info on the FJ. Bud's website is way outdated. He doesn't even list half of the products he sells or is working on for the FJ. The website for Dirty Parts is basically totally nonfunctional. Larry is considered a FJ Guru by many, so his website isn't a reflection of his buisness.
 
Hi ToledoFJ,

My post was in no way specific to any particular oil filter. I was just trying to explain how the bypass valve in most engine/oil filters work so that folks could try to understand it.

I think it's great your doing so much research on the Trufilter. Discussions such as this are healthy (as long as they stay civil). I myself have tried many different premium oil filters over the years, so my curiosity is somewhat similar to yours.

I think we need to have another one of those oil filter tests that was done back in the 90's with all the new filters out there. An updated version.

Perhaps someone has already done that at "Bobistheoilguy" forum.

Cheers.

DEWFPO
 
i just checked the trufilter website to get the number so I can talk to them and i saw that they are starting a discussion forum on oil filtration. Maybe able to find some good info there in the future once it gets going and grows in membership. The trufilter doesn't have a bypass valve so it isn't an issue for me regardless, but thanks for the info. I'll post up tomorrow whatever I find out. take car guys.
 
If I see solid proof that the Truflow or Purepower filters more effecitvely than my cellulose media K&N, then I'm sold. Until then, I'll sit back and wait. If Truflow says "Oh it does" without a true-chart comparison...yeah...no go.
 
Running royal purple, using K/N"prechargers" over dual spectre cones, and the Bosch filter , my oil would be darker at change time(every 3-4000),or change time would be shortened(I'll change it early if its gettin ugly) then after switching to K/N. If I'm just sucking cabin air, it does last longer, but does still darken considerably-which I attribute to temp as my foot is heavy, and our humidity is a m/f. I'll drop some onto paper towels(the oil spreads out and the solids make a "target").No obvious metal after the first 2-3 changes, that would change I'm sure if went longer between changes. Now I'll ask a possibly stupid question,is there any benefit to running some clean oil(2 quarts) through the engine(start, stop redrain),prior to changing out the filter and refilling w/oil? This was suggested to me by a friend out west
who does it regularly as part of "his war on dust/sludge"....I may be wasting time , but dam# if doesn't pick up more trash. The spot test reveals smaller "targets" by half, but still a lot of solids obviously in suspension.
 
I just noticed something that the tru-filter DESPERATELY needs.... a nut on the top of it. Why the hell would they have a reusable filter without a nut for easy and safe removal? Isn't anybody learning from K&N here? >.<
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom