Oil Filters Revealed Mopar Filters

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Description

This section features a special look at other oil filter alternatives for the 2.2L and 2.5L engines, listed by Mopar part number.  Keep in mind that these filters are designed for different engines and have different dimensions.  So, it's not fair to compare them in terms of surface area.  Mopar uses several different manufacturers and seems to switch between them ad nauseum.

The other parts of this project:

• Project Overview - high-level view of this project.
• Reference Filter - original, most complete reference for the common Chrysler/Ford filter.
• HP1 Filter - for racing applications of the above reference filter.
• German Filter - a common filter for German vehicles in order to get a look at some unique brands.
• Toyota Filter - a filter for many L4, V6, and V8 Toyota engines.

Conversion Table

If you cannot use the Chrysler/Ford reference filter because of clearance problems, try using one of the alternatives listed here.  I have included the outside dimensions so you can see if it will work for you, and they are listed below in order of increasing size.  If you find a filter that will fit, you can use that type of vehicle and engine to look up that filter design for other manufacturers (or the same manufacturer, but a different brand).  The chart below shows the part numbers shown here, as well as the engine it belongs to.  You can use that information to look up these filters for other brands.

4105409

This is the stock 2.2L and 2.5L oil filter through about 1990, from the dealership.  I have this information here so that you can see why you should not be using this stock sized filter anymore.  This one is made by Champion Laboratories.  With a tiny surface area of only 124 sq-in it has less than 35% of the surface area of the STP S-01 version (360 sq-in), which is also a Champion.  Once that small filtration area has been plugged, the oil is directed through the bypass valve and the filter is useless.

The early stock Mopar 2.2L/2.5L filter (left) compared to the STP/Champion reference filter (right)

5281090

This filter is also a stock 2.2L and 2.5L, but for 1991 and later engines, though it fits them all.  It is from the dealership and is made by Purolator.  It is an upgrade from the stock filter, with about 48% more filtration area.  If you have clearance problems with the reference filter because of your alternator or radiator fan (L-bodies), you can try this model.  Use the Overall Filter Length and Diameter to see if it will fit.

3549957

This is the Mopar V8 filter.  I purchased this filter from two places, to prove a point.  The point is that Mopar filters are like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get.  In fact, this seems to be true of many OEM and some clone-brand filters.  I purchased one filter from my local dealer and the other from a nearby store that stocks some Mopar parts (Murray's Auto Parts).  Though the Mopar part numbers are the same, the filters are completely different.  You can identify the manufacturer of a particular filter by looking at the backplate.  See the AC Delco, Champion, Fram, Purolator, and WIX sections for the details on what to look for.

Purolator on the left, Champion on the right, both "Mopar"

The filter from Murray's Auto Parts has probably been sitting on the shelf for a little while, so I imagine that it is an older version, but it was not dated.  This filter is made by Champion Laboratories.  It features the one-piece filter cartridge and some rust on the back plate.

Average Retail Price	$6.50
Overall Filter Length	4.38 inches
Overall Filter Diameter	3.69 inches
Cartridge Length	3.00 inches
Cartridge Outside Diameter	3.25 inches
Cartridge Inside Diameter	1.63 inches
Cartridge Pleats	56
Cartridge End Cap Type	Stamped-steel, with bypass valve
Anti-Drainback Valve Type	Nitrile rubber diaphragm
Bypass Valve Type	Spring-loaded steel, nitrile seal
Element Type	Paper media, glued seam
Element Length	90.0 inches
Element Width	3.00 inches
Element Surface Area	270 square inches
Shell Thickness	0.012 inches
Backplate Thickness	0.10 inches
Gasket Type	Nitrile rubber

The filter from my local Dodge dealership was dated 02/98.  This filter is a Purolator.  While the surface area of the filter element is about the same as the Champion version, the Purolator element paper media seems stronger than the Champion Labs paper media, though it is hard to say if this really matters.  However there is the issue with the assembly string on this version.  It's a catch 22.

53020311

UPDATE: This was the Mopar "Severe Use" 53020311 filter for the V10 back in 1999.  It no longer cross-references to anything meaningful.  In fact, it crosses to several completely different filters depending where you look, which is not a good thing.  The real application for this filter seems to be a Volkswagen.  It appears that Chrysler is now selling the Mopar Performance P4529190 filter in its place, which is nothing more than an "HP1" racing filter.  See the HP1 article for more information on those.  The original analysis follows for reference:

NOTE: The HP1 filter has a 20psi bypass valve since it is intended for racing applications where a higher oil pressure is generally used.  This is 12psi higher than the stock 8psi bypass pressure of the other filters listed here.  Thus it is not recommended for an unmodified engine.  The filter below has an even higher bypass pressure of 30psi.

This filter was interesting, but unfortunately only in bad ways.  It is the Mopar "Severe Duty" filter for the V10 engines.  I also found this filter at Murray's Auto Parts, but left it there when I looked at the backplate.  I decided to get one from the dealership instead, but it was exactly the same.  Cutting it open confirmed it:  this filter is a Fram Extra Guard (the radioactive orange one).  It's definitely the cheapest Fram design with the infamous anti-drainback valve sealing against the cardboard cartridge end caps, and the plastic bypass valve.  It's always easy to identify a Fram Extra Guard by the cheap looking, thin backplate with many small holes for the oil inlet.  How Chrysler can call this cheap filter a "Severe Duty" filter is beyond me, but it is stamped right on the can.  Even Fram makes better filters than this (Tough Guard), but they probably cost too close to the Mopar $6.50 oil filter price for a decent price mark-up.  Fram does not list a part number for this filter in the Tough Guard version.

If you really must have this filter, consider looking to another brand, such as Purolator or WIX.  Just look up a Dodge Viper or Ram Truck with a 8.0L V10, or use the Mopar Conversion Table above.  The problem is that the Purolator is suspiciously like the Fram, however I know it is not a Fram because of the way it was constructed (assembly string, etc).  Like the Fram, it has cardboard end caps and a few of the pleats were not glued down.  My advise is to avoid all of these filters and go with the reference Chrysler/Ford filter.

Since this filter is popular in Mopar circles, I bought each of these and measured them as well.  I was unable to find the AC Delco version anywhere.  As you can see, this Fram does have more surface area than the PH8A version, but it is still less than an AC Delco, Purolator, or WIX Chrysler/Ford reference filter.  So if you think you are getting a bigger filter with one of these, think again.

From left to right: Purolator, Fram, Mopar (also Fram)

Mopar Severe Use 53020311 and Fram PH7226

Purolator Premium Plus L34875

Conclusions

It should be clear that Mopar filters are really nothing special.  Unless you are trying to have a perfect restoration and need that Mopar logo, there is no reason why you should be buying Mopar oil filters.  Most of them seem to currently be made by Purolator or Champion, but that could change at any time.

If you want to hear my opinion take a look at the Oil Filters Revealed: Opinions and Recommendations page.  Which filter is the best?  There is no easy answer to that one.  It depends on what kind of oil you use and how much you are willing to spend.

Return to Oil Filters Revealed

Updated 01/25/2008.

Copyright © 1996-2008 Russ W. Knize.