Hello -
WARNING: I have read that if you don't make a good choice, this could hurt your engine, so you takes your chances.
A long time ago a saturnfan MPG dude named cheapybob told me that he uses a larger-than-OEM oil filter in his Saturn S-Series. He told me that on his weekend racing trans-am, he picked up some HP by using a larger oil filter. On the idea that he would also get better MPG on his Saturn, he did the same. Recently I got around to trying this. I went to an indy auto-parts store, and got the Wix
51516 for about 7 bucks :
Wix Oil Filter part #51516 (Ford Focus)
Code:
Thread Size: 3/4-16
Height: 4.828
Outer Diameter Top: 2.921
Gasket Diameters
Number O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.734 2.430 0.226
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 8-11
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=14/31
Burst Pressure-PSI: 275
Max Flow Rate: 7-9 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating: 20
I matched up the gasket and thread specs to the Saturn oil filter :
Wix Oil Filter part #51348 (Saturn S-Series)
Code:
Height: 3.404
Outer Diameter Top: 2.921
Thread Size: 3/4-16
Gasket Diameters
Number O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.734 2.430 0.226
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 8-11
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=21/37
Burst Pressure-PSI: 275
Max Flow Rate: 7-9 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating: 19
From what I have read, the *theory* is that you can reduce your pumping losses, but I can't really tell if it helps. I was hoping to read that it had a better "flow rate", but the above specs look to be mostly identical.
It's only been about 1000 miles, but so far I'm happy with it. If I don't get an MPG bump, then I'm hoping that it's healthier for the engine on the theory that the greater surface area will catch more dirt. Here is a saturnfan thread that talks about using a bigger filter, if not for MPG reasons :
Bigger Oil Filter DOHC - SaturnFans Forums
CarloSW2