What is the best oil filter to run on a 6.0 vortec

[MASONGMC]

I been running Ac delco filters and in a few times been loosing oil pressure in my 2005 GMC Serria 1500hd . What is the best high volume filter I can run?
Thanks

[MJN]

what Delco filter have you been running? What are your change intervals and what oil are you running? I've run PF61's on my 6.0L's in the past with no issues and currently I use AMSOIL Ea15k50 filters. I also use AMSOIL 5w30XL oil, change at 10,000 miles and have oil analysis done on each oil change.

Typically when you begin losing oil pressure the filter has plugged up and is restricting flow. This issue has shown up on 5.3L's with AFM and GM released a service bulletin about it and to begin using AC Delco UPF48R filters. The 6.0L doesn't have AFM so that is not an issue on that engine- unless you're running beyond recommended intervals, using low quality oil or have other issues. Currently AMSOIL recommends using WIX 57060 or Donaldson P550794 on 5.3L's.

Service Information Home Publications Number Search New Bulletins Bulletin Search Feedback Help
2012 GMC Truck Sierra - 4WD | Cheyenne, Sierra, Silverado VIN C/K Service Manual | Document ID: 4211936
#PIP5276D: SES Lamp P0521 Setting After An Oil Change And Or Low Oil Pressure Indicated On The Instrument Panel - (Jun 8, 2015)
Subject: SES Lamp P0521 Setting After An Oil Change And Or Low Oil Pressure Indicated On The Instrument Panel

Models: 2007-2013 Cadillac CTS-V, Escalade
2007-2013 Chevrolet A****, Camaro SS, Colorado, Corvette, Express, Silverado, S****, T***
2007-2013 GMC Canyon, Sierra, Savana, Y***
with a V8 Engine (RPOs L20, L77, L94, L96, L99, L9H, LC8, LC9, LH9, LMF, LMG, LY6, LZ1)
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern
A concern of a P0521 Setting After an oil change and or low oil pressure indicated on the instrument panel.

Recommendation/Instructions
If you are working on a Gen4 V8 that is setting a DTC P0521 and or low oil pressure indicated on the instrument panel in cold or hot weather and the engine is currently equipped with a PF48E oil filter, replace with a UPF48R oil filter if one is available.

Note: Only use the UPF48R oil filter if theGen4 V8 is setting a DTC P0521.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time
4065530
Oil Filter Replacement
Use Published Labor Operation Time
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

[Redneck Rydes]

I always run a WIX/Naps Gold filter

[hatzie]

The filter on the 5.3/4.8 differs from the one on the 6.0

I am quite positive the LS4 and LQ4 use different oil filters. I run the UPF48R or the WIX equivalent on my Impala SS with the LS4. They will not fit the LQ4 6.0

[MJN]

Originally Posted by hatzie

The filter on the 5.3/4.8 differs from the one on the 6.0

I am quite positive the LS4 and LQ9 use different oil filters. I run the UPF48R or the WIX equivalent on my Impala SS with the LS4. They will not fit the LQ4 6.0

The GM service bulletin was targeted at engines with AFM. The 6.0L does not have AFM.

His 2005 Sierra 1500HD 6.0L would take WIX 51042 or AMSOIL Ea15K32 or ACDelco PF46E.
They have 13/16"-16 threads.

The WIX 57060 and others I listed have 22x1.5mm threads. I wasn't aware the LQ4 used a different thread pitch, so good to point that out.

I would try to understand why the filter is plugging before just throwing on a larger capacity filter.

[Nick_R_23]

Wix/Napa Gold are the best out there. Although I’m normally not a K&N product fan, their oil filters are a close second.

However, it sounds like you have a problem that isn’t oil filter related. You may have a worn pump, or a cracked pickup tube/worn o-ring. Both will cause oil pressure loss. The only time I have seen an oil filter actually become a restriction (aside from an incredibly poorly maintained engine causing oil caking/sludging, which no filter will repair), is a collapsed internal media on Fram filters.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Nick_R_23

Wix/Napa Gold are the best out there. Although I’m normally not a K&N product fan, their oil filters are a close second.

However, it sounds like you have a problem that isn’t oil filter related. You may have a worn pump, or a cracked pickup tube/worn o-ring. Both will cause oil pressure loss. The only time I have seen an oil filter actually become a restriction (aside from an incredibly poorly maintained engine causing oil caking/sludging, which no filter will repair), is a collapsed internal media on Fram filters.

The 5.3L with AFM ( Yes the 2005-2006 LH6 5.3L had AFM ) has a filter screen under the oil pressure sensor that gets plugged up with crud. It makes the lifters clatter from starvation. Oil pressure to the crank is just fine but the lifters aren't getting fed. The LS4 in my Impala SS has the same filter and it's miserable to access on the transverse V8 engine.

The other thing the early LS engines had to contend with was the pressure relief valve in the oil pump getting dodgy.

Be it a stuffed screen, failing pickup tube O-ring, or failing pressure relief you need to address this ASAP.
In comparison to the oil pump and pickup the AFM filter screen is easy to access. Get a new GM oil pressure sensor along with the AFM filter screen and replace both of them.

If that doesn't fix your problem... You'll have to pull the timing cover and the oil pan to get to all of the bits and pieces of the oil pump. It's driven off the crankshaft snout.
Get a Melling pump and pickup kit. Stock replacement from Melling will work great. You don't need high volume or high pressure.
You may want to source a GM cam retaining plate ( these leak sometimes ) and timing chain/sprockets depending on your engine age.
I would also thoroughly and carefully evaluate the harmonic balancer, serpentine belt idlers & tensioners, and the water pump while you have em off.
Replacing the thermostat goes without saying. It's super cheap and you're there already. Stant or GM.

[MJN]

Originally Posted by hatzie

The 5.3L with AFM ( Yes the 2005-2006 LH6 5.3L had AFM ) has a filter screen under the oil pressure sensor that gets plugged up with crud. It makes the lifters clatter from starvation. Oil pressure to the crank is just fine but the lifters aren't getting fed. The LS4 in my Impala SS has the same filter and it's miserable to access on the transverse V8 engine.

The other thing the early LS engines had to contend with was the pressure relief valve in the oil pump getting dodgy.

Be it a stuffed screen, failing pickup tube O-ring, or failing pressure relief you need to address this ASAP.
In comparison to the oil pump and pickup the AFM filter screen is easy to access. Get a new GM oil pressure sensor along with the AFM filter screen and replace both of them.

If that doesn't fix your problem... You'll have to pull the timing cover and the oil pan to get to all of the bits and pieces of the oil pump. It's driven off the crankshaft snout.
Get a Melling pump and pickup kit. Stock replacement from Melling will work great. You don't need high volume or high pressure.
You may want to source a GM cam retaining plate ( these leak sometimes ) and timing chain/sprockets depending on your engine age.
I would also thoroughly and carefully evaluate the harmonic balancer, serpentine belt idlers & tensioners, and the water pump while you have em off.
Replacing the thermostat goes without saying. It's super cheap and you're there already. Stant or GM.

The OP has a 1500HD- it has a 6.0L not the 5.3L. AFM is not applicable on the 6.0L.
Curious why the OP hasn't responded or posted since- it would be good to get some more detail about whats happening.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by MJN

The OP has a 1500HD- it has a 6.0L not the 5.3L. AFM is not applicable on the 6.0L.
Curious why the OP hasn't responded or posted since- it would be good to get some more detail about whats happening.

Last activity was the 31st of August.

[MASONGMC]

Going to try a K&N oil filter on my truck for it next oil change .

[richards72chevy]

I was using k&n oil filter until I seen some videos of them being cut opened.They compared it to the Walmart supertech filter and they looked exactly the same on the inside.The supertech brand of oils and filters are made in the USA and supposed to be good products.I use supertech products on our old minivan that I don't care much about and it's holding up good.

[hatzie]

I usually run WIX filters that are badged WIX or NAPA
There are actually only a handful of Western filter manufacturers.
WIX, Baldwin-Hastings, Mann-Purolator, Champion Labs, Allied Signal (FRAM), and Donaldson.
Donaldson makes high quality big equipment air filters for tractors, tractor trailers, and earth moving equipment as well as heavy dust collection filters for manufacturing.

FRAM makes top shelf air filters for automobiles and light trucks. I use them on my vehicles because the quality is top notch. IMHO You're not going to find better quality air filters for automobiles and light trucks. I've had problems with their oil filters but I'm not going to start a holy war.

WIX <DANA>, Baldwin, Mann-Purolator, and Champion Labs make many of the filters you get from OEM brands like AC Delco, Motorcraft, MOPAR, Honda, Toyota, Fuji (Subaru), VAG Gruppe (VW, Audi, Seat, & Skoda) etc.

Mann & Purolator had issues with their fluid filters immediately following their merger several years ago. These teething issues have been dealt with.

I'm not sure who is making K&N oil filters. Rumor had it that Hi-Flo in Vietnam was making them a couple years ago. Not a fan of Mainland Asian manufacturers.
QC is questionable, at best, in India, China, and Southeast Asia.
Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are generally up to Western manufacturing standards.
The former Iron Curtain Eastern European nations have quality levels on par with East and West Germany.
Some of the highest quality manufactured Makarov, Tokarev, Siminov, and Kalashnikov firearms were manufactured in the DDR, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary. I have a medium sized horizontal milling machine that was made in the DDR sometime in the 1950's or 1960's and somehow made it to New Hampshire of all places. It's a thing of precision beauty.

[MJN]

Without turning this into an oil filter brand war post I think the main focus should be on why are the filters loading to the point of causing a loss of oil pressure. That's where more detail like oil change intervals, oil type/viscosity, engine duty cycle, air intake cleanliness, etc. come in. Having oil sample analysis would be helpful as well to pinpoint what wear metals and other contaminants are in the oil. The oil filter, no matter the brand, can only hold so much contaminant before the media is loaded and the pump goes into bypass- finding the source of the contaminant is key not just adding a higher volume filter with more media surface area.