Got my USPI by-pass filter installed today, pretty easy, and simple, the way I like stuff...

I used a piece of 6" x 2" x 1" aluminum C-channel to mount it to the frame, about 15 inches from the oil filter...

I bolted the C-channel to the frame with two 5/16 stainless bolts and lock nuts, used three hose clamps routed through slots in the C-channel...

Had to add 3 qts of oil when finished...

I figure it added about 2 qts to the system...

These pics are not too good, it was dark after I finished, and I did not have it on a lift, so it was kinda cramped trying to get good shots...

Nice hoses on that unit.

Is that a (GASP) Motorcraft filter???:eek:
:DJ/K

Yeah, had to buy one at Walmart yesterday, Napa was closed, and I dont trust Fram...

Nice install.

It looks nice, but wow, the replacement filters for USPI are pricey! Keep us updated on the future Oil Analysis results, and performance of the USPI.

So what are the benefits of this?

So what are the benefits of this?

Keeps the oil cleaner by keeping the soot out.

Cleans everything, not just the soot, down to .5 micron...

:thumb:Just playin' about the Motorcraft thing. Your install does look really nice, It doesn't look too complicated either. What kind of intervals are you planning?

Man, that USPI website is FULL of claims, but nothing substantial to back it up. I don't see any references to ISO testing standards in any of the links of FAQ. And the SAE references are dated, to say the least.

Not that I think it's a bad bypass filter; it just bugs me when some company claims to be the best, but can't provide good hard data by independent testing methods. Check this out from their site:
"We are the only company with an oil filter that can perform consistently and continually and we can prove it. " REALLY? that underlined section in this quote on their site simply links you to the oil analysis sevice they promote. So I'm supposed to believe that they are the only worthwhile bypass filter, based upon their own analysis lab?

Hmmmm. Me thinks they are just a little bit conceited. Are they saying that Amsoil, Filtrations Solutions (FS2500), Oil Guard, Gulf Coast, Frantz, Motor Guard, and others, are all worthless as far as bypass filters go? That's a pretty heady and arrogant claim, and there are NO links I can find of any actual 3rd party testing standards.

Again, I don't think they are a bad filter, but I just don't think that they're the ONLY filter in the bypass game.

And their claim of filtering down to .5 um is pretty tough to swallow. To what beta ratio are they referring?

In their FAQ's reference info, they list most of the SAE papers from 1965 to 1991. The most recent notation is 1991 ?!?! There have been almost 30 papers in the last 17 years regarding oil and filtration, in some manner. Perhaps USPI needs to update their info. Not that what they referenced is wrong, it's just outdated. For one thing, some recent studies have suggested that OIL is the controlling factor below 5um, not filtration. Today's oil additives keep the contaminants in suspension far better than years ago, and the despersants keep them from agglomerating, as well.

And, Holy Cow, the replacement filter is $71? And it lasts for 250 hours which is around 15k miles (their approximation, not mine)? Geez, most any other bypass filter (with the exception of the TP style) can last longer than that, most of them for 1/2 the price, or less!

And I couldn't find any proof of their claim that "The USPI oil filter removes and can retain up to a pint of water, keeping sludge from forming." Further, they claim " ... and is the only bypass filter that will remove moisture and glycol." Again, what ISO standard testing did they use? And to whom did they compare themselves too?

Again, USPI probably makes a good filter for bypass filtration, but the incredulious and unsubstantiated nature of their claims, and pompous "we're the only ones worthy of consideration" attitude are somewhat distasteful, to put it politely.

dnewton:

I agree with you wholeheartedly! Maybe someone should send an E-mail to them asking them to back their testing up and ask them to provide some proof. C'mon, filtering down to .5 micron? I don't even know if that is possible? And with paper media, not even the newer filter media used in the best filters. Hmmm. This is the first I have ever heard about this company also. The others you mentioned above have been around for quite some time! I am for by-pass filtration, but I am skeptical about their claims. Their filters are so expensive, due to being a disposable canister. I think FS 2500 has a better idea with the disposable inserts.

dnewton, I have read most of your posts in the past threads regarding by pass filtration, and I respect where you stand on these issues. These are just my views. ;)

Amsoil has disposable canister elements for half that price. However none of the others make claims to half a micron. If you're going to pick up that much you will need to change it frequently.

Agreed. How would a .5 micron oil filter flow in the winter? Or when it starts to get full of soot particles?

Everyone has the ability to research the same stuff I do. I just call out BS when I see it.

It's quite possible that the USPI filter is a good bypass filter. I just don't like unsubstantiated claims, especially missing 3rd party testing criteria from respected orginizations stuch as ISO and their standards.

But for them to say the are the best, and no one else is close (my paraphrasing of their claims), is just pure bunk. Those other companies supply good products as well.

Bypass filtration and Used Oil Analysis are two of the most mis-understood concepts when it comes to vehicles. They are absolutely fantastic products, but they are tools, and tools must be used within their design and intent, or they will give you misleading results.