Engine Oil Filter Study

SPECIAL MODEL FEATURE:  Mopar

[ Conversion Table | Conclusion | Main Oil Filter Study Page]
[ 4105409 | 5281090 | 3549957 | 53020311 ]

UPDATE:  This page is the Mopar section from the original page.
 

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 with the other filters on this page.  The fact of the matter is, these filters are made by the other manufacturers on this page.  My mission was to uncover who is who.  What I found is that Mopar uses several different manufacturers.

General Information

See the Engine Oil Filter Study main page for all the details about how the tests were conducted and how to make sense of the results.  Here are the direct links:

Description
Disassembly and Measurements
SAE Tests
Conclusions
 

Conversion Table

If you cannot use the Ford 5.0L 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.  I have supplied only the number for those with multiple varieties.  Just add the prefix for the model you want.  For example, the Purolator 10241 number is the L10241 for the Premium Plus, PL10241 for the Pure One, etc.
 
Mopar Oil Filter Conversion Table
Mopar P/N
Engine Types
Example car to look up
AC Delco
Fram
Purolator
Wix
4105409
2.0L, 2.2L, 2.4L, 2.5L
Dodge Lancer
PF53
3614
10241
?
5281090
2.2L, 2.5L, 3.3L, 3.8L, 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L
Dodge Stratus or Intrepid
PF13
16
14670
?
3549957
318cc, 383cc, 400cc, 440cc, etc
Dodge Dart or Challenger
PF20
43
20081
?
53020311
8.0L V10
Dodge Ram (severe duty)
PF2136
7226
34875
?

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 Industries.  With a tiny surface area of only 124 sqin it has less than 35% of the surface area of the STP S-01 version (360 sqin), 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.

Average Retail Price $6.50
Overall Filter Length ? inches
Overall Filter Diameter ? inches
Cartridge Length 2.375 inches
Cartridge Outside Diameter 2.675 inches
Cartridge Inside Diameter 1.625 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, stamped metal seam
Element Length 55.0 inches
Element Width 2.250 inches
Element Surface Area 124 square inches
Shell Thickness 0.010 inches
Backplate Thickness 0.115 inches
Gasket Type Nitrile rubber
Hydrostatic Burst Pressure Unknown
SAE J806 Filtration Efficiency Unknown
SAE J1858 Filtration Efficiency Unknown

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 Ford 5.0L filter because of your alternator, you can try this model.  Use the Overall Filter Length and Diameter to see if it will fit.
 
Average Retail Price $6.50
Overall Filter Length ? inches
Overall Filter Diameter ? inches
Cartridge Length 2.675 inches
Cartridge Outside Diameter 3.250 inches
Cartridge Inside Diameter 1.625 inches
Cartridge Pleats 62
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, stamped metal seam
Element Length 96.0 inches
Element Width 2.500 inches
Element Surface Area 240 square inches
Shell Thickness 0.010 inches
Backplate Thickness 0.115 inches
Gasket Type Nitrile rubber
Hydrostatic Burst Pressure Unknown
SAE J806 Filtration Efficiency Unknown
SAE J1858 Filtration Efficiency Unknown

3549957

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.

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 ? inches
Overall Filter Diameter ? inches
Cartridge Length 3.000 inches
Cartridge Outside Diameter 3.250 inches
Cartridge Inside Diameter 1.625 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 3.000 inches
Element Surface Area 270 square inches
Shell Thickness 0.012 inches
Backplate Thickness 0.102 inches
Gasket Type Nitrile rubber
Hydrostatic Burst Pressure Unknown
SAE J806 Filtration Efficiency Unknown
SAE J1858 Filtration Efficiency Unknown

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.  However there is the issue with the assembly string on this version.  It's a catch 22.
 
Average Retail Price $6.50
Overall Filter Length ? inches
Overall Filter Diameter ? inches
Cartridge Length 3.125 inches
Cartridge Outside Diameter 3.250 inches
Cartridge Inside Diameter 1.625 inches
Cartridge Pleats 61
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, stamped metal seam
Element Length 95.0 inches
Element Width 2.875 inches
Element Surface Area 273 square inches
Shell Thickness 0.010 inches
Backplate Thickness 0.115 inches
Gasket Type Nitrile rubber
Hydrostatic Burst Pressure Unknown
SAE J806 Filtration Efficiency Unknown
SAE J1858 Filtration Efficiency Unknown

53020311

This filter was interesting, but unfortunately only in bad ways.  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 Frams, 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 Ford 5.0L filters.

Since this filter is popular is 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 Ford 5.0L filter.  So if you think you are getting a bigger filter with one of these, think again.


 

Mopar Severe Use 53020311 and Fram PH7226

Average Retail Price Mopar: $6.50, Fram: $9.00
Overall Filter Length ? inches
Overall Filter Diameter ? inches
Cartridge Length 4.250 inches
Cartridge Outside Diameter 3.200 inches
Cartridge Inside Diameter 1.625 inches
Cartridge Pleats 49
Cartridge End Cap Type Cardboard
Anti-Drainback Valve Type Nitrile rubber diaphragm
Bypass Valve Type Spring-loaded plastic
Element Type Paper media, stamped metal seam
Element Length 73.5 inches
Element Width 4.125 inches
Element Surface Area 301 square inches
Shell Thickness 0.014 inches
Backplate Thickness 0.110 inches
Gasket Type Nitrile rubber
Hydrostatic Burst Pressure Unknown
SAE J806 Filtration Efficiency Unknown
SAE J1858 Filtration Efficiency Unknown

Purolator Premium Plus L34875

Average Retail Price $7.00
Overall Filter Length ? inches
Overall Filter Diameter ? inches
Cartridge Length 4.100 inches
Cartridge Outside Diameter 3.200 inches
Cartridge Inside Diameter 1.625 inches
Cartridge Pleats 50
Cartridge End Cap Type Cardboard
Anti-Drainback Valve Type Nitrile rubber diaphragm
Bypass Valve Type Nitrile rubber diaphragm (same piece)
Element Type Paper media, glued seam
Element Length 76 inches
Element Width 4.00 inches
Element Surface Area 304 square inches
Shell Thickness 0.015 inches
Backplate Thickness 0.140 inches
Gasket Type Nitrile rubber
Hydrostatic Burst Pressure Unknown
SAE J806 Filtration Efficiency Unknown
SAE J1858 Filtration Efficiency Unknown

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 Purolators or Champions, but that could change at any time.

See the AC Delco, Champion, Fram, Purolator, and Wix sections for information on how to identify these manufacturers by looking at the backplate.  The tell-tale signs are always there.
 
 
 
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This page was written and is maintained by Russ W. Knize and was last updated 06/20/00. Comments? Questions? Email minimopar@xoommail.com.

Copyright © 1996-2000 Russ W. Knize