Maybe you want a bigger oil filter for your BB....

[racedodge]

and you do not have power steering (or you do, but it is the type mounted high on the water pump)...

WIX 51773

 

[Meep-Meep]

So all the specs are the same just more filter area?

 

[68X426]

Great subject. I went to the WIX site and dug up info. It is a direct fit according to the measurements.

The standard BB 51515 filter would hold about half the oil. It has a significantly higher filter rate however, 21 microns. WIX says the 51773 is the two quart capacity version of the 51515.

Does it matter? More oil filtering but at a lower rate in the 51773? Any petro engineers out there?

 

[theman440]

I use that filter on my race car - the advantage is that more oil is in the filter, lowering the level in the pan = less windage.

 

[68X426]

more oil is in the filter, lowering the level in the pan = less windage.

Wouldn't that add the potential of oil starvation for the rockers, etc.?

Obvious answer is a higher capacity pan, but you see the point of the question: holding more oil in the filter could starve the pan unless other other actions are taken (pan, pump).

I read somewhere (right or wrong) that a operating stock BB holds 3 quarts in the valvtrain, 1 in the filter, 1 in the pan. And that stock Hemi's hold 5-1-1. Just thinking out loud that the 51773 is a poor choice for a stock motor.

 

[BuckNeccid]

Doesn't that mean it's letting larger particles thru? The 32-21 micron ratings? It has the same GPM flow ratings.

Or I may just be getting confused, the way I was reading your post it was saying to me that it was restricting flow and holding 2 qts in the filter because of the 31 micron rating.

 

[Jim Bob The Dancing Bear]

It has smaller holes (21 micron) vs the 51515's larger holes (32 micron).

it makes up for the smaller holes or larger restriction with more surface area.

I may use this next time but I would probably add the extra ...... being anti drain back, once you change your oil and start it up, the oil will be in the filter. If you check your dipstick it should show a little low. If you add that small amount you will have the correct amount of oil in your system.

My thoughts.

What is Beta Ratio?

 

[ws27]

It has smaller holes (21 micron) vs the 51515's larger holes (32 micron).

it makes up for the smaller holes or larger restriction with more surface area.

I may use this next time but I would probably add the extra ...... being anti drain back, once you change your oil and start it up, the oil will be in the filter. If you check your dipstick it should show a little low. If you add that small amount you will have the correct amount of oil in your system.

My thoughts.

What is Beta Ratio?

You have that backward, the 51515 filters down to 21 microns and the 51773 only goes down to 32microns.

Might no be much of a difference anyways, but thought I'd mention it.

One other thing to consider is the bypass. When oil is cold the filter can bypass quite a lot of oil becuase it won't flow through the filter until it's hot. The larger 51773 will let more oil go through the filter and reduce the amount of bypassed cold oil.

 

[Jim Bob The Dancing Bear]

I did have that backwards, I was posting on my phone before my morning wake up cup of Joe.

I would rather have the 21 micron my self.

 

[68X426]

What is Beta Ratio?

Beta ratio is a standardized measure of efficiency of any liquid flowing thru a filter. It is one of many measurements, and it alone doesn't attest to the filter's quality.

Quote from one site: "A filter’s beta ratio also does not give any indication of its dirt-holding capacity, the total amount of contaminant that can be trapped by the filter throughout its life, nor does it account for its stability or performance over time."

http://www.lenntech.com/library/fine/beta/beta-ratio.htm

http://blog.exair.com/2010/09/20/understanding-oil-filter-beta-ratios/

As I understand the beta measurement formula, as applied to oil and a filter, the published numbers for the 51515 mean that it is: 50% efficient at the 2 micron level, 95% efficient at the 20 micron level, and 100% efficient at the 21 micron level.

I understand that the 50 micron level is a typical filter, 40 is better, and 20 to 30 is excellent. So with the 2 filters being discussed, there is hardly a difference for most driving situations. But 21 is demonstratively better than 32, so me personally I would choose the 51515.

 

[racedodge]

we always ran one in our drag car due to the extra oil capacity it provided... we changed our oil frequently and on tear down the 440's bearings looked great with nominal wear as did the cylinder walls.

so that you know how big a "micron" is, its a "millionth of a meter"... 21 vs 32... not that much at all.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/particle-sizes-d_934.html

 

[racedodge]

...Just thinking out loud that the 51773 is a poor choice for a stock motor.

i wouldnt say poor choice, all you have to do is add another quart and then you no longer have a starvation issue.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Looking at the beta ratio info, efficiency seems to depend what size particles are being produced vs the micron size. It may be that a 50 micron filter is good enough if you are generating boulders. Pieces of piston can be trapped with chicken wire. Also, the higher efficiency may be proportional to low flow rates. If you have a totally stock oiling system delivering X GPM of flow then the stock filter will be fine. Now if you have large clearances and one of those external oiling systems with super tall rotors then I think you will need either two filters in parallel or some high flow thing like the Fram HP1. Would be curious to see the specs of the HP1

 

[Jim Bob The Dancing Bear]

We use either 40 micron for general filtering (water) or 10 micron before pumps in the oil field. Typucally 10 micron is for NGL lines (natural gas liquid) to protect the high pressure piston style pumps. Our oil pumps can take more trash than the piston style and our water pump (vein pumps) can take chunks of crud and are usually used for high volume low pressure and as trach pumps.

The oil filter is not only protecting the oil pump but the bearings. Having the larger filter with larger micron sizing would probably be just fine if you change your oil like clock work.

 

[lewtot184]

if my math is correct; 21 micron is .00084", 32 micron is .00128". on another note, i'm having drain back issues with the wix 51515. not sure i'll buy any more of them.