I was researching on changing oil for the 8 and i can't help to notice the tiny size of the oil filter. I compared it against my 92x's filter and the rubber seal lines up exactly and the hole are identically sized. Would putting a larger filter be better? THe filter I am looking at is the fram dh6607.

Searching I found some fairly bad feedback on the fram. Mostly to do with the surface area of the filter inside the fram meaning that it wouldnt flow as much oil as say the stock...I think.

K&N make an oil filter which I am looking into getting.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=113157

Note that Mazda specs the internal filter element, not matter who makes the filter, and typically it has twice to three times the filter area of most aftermarket filters (such as Fram or Purolator that are twice or three times the size of the Mazda filter). Mazda OEM filters are most often made by Denso (Nippon Denso), and Tennex.

Of course surface area is only one part of a filter, the pass through, end plate attachment (they should not be glued cardboard as found on 90% of the Champion/Fram filters), anti-drain back, and particle retention are all other factors.

Anti drain back valves should be silicon or siliconized rubber, not ABS (as found on some Fram and Champion heavy duty filters) for best seal (Mazda OEM specs have siliconized rubber).

A while back we asked "What filter is best filter for our Mazdas?"
We decided to check out some of the filters the old fashion way - by cutting them open.

Of the ones tested (Purolator - L14622, FRAM - PH6607, AC Delco - PF1237, Motorcraft - FL816, and stock Mazda OEM under 2.0 litr filter Nippon Denso manufactured filter)

Here is what we found.
In the group, the Mazda filer was the smallest - so we figured that is would have the least amount of surface filtering area. Boy were we wrong.
The Mazda filter had almost three times the amount of filtering area as compared to the biggest filter - the FRAM.

The Mazda filter had about twice as much as the Purolator and the AC Delco.
At the time the Mazda and the FRAM were the only two to have check valves (none of the others available now - including the Fram - have check valves of any sort).

So - who needs a check valve anyway? Well what the check valve does it force the filter to work as a filter. It also keeps the filter from back flushing which can happen with any sudden drop in oil pressure. The others, if they get a little clogged, or with a sudden drop in oil pressure, the filter stops filtering and is bypassed. The check valve in the Mazda filter prevents this from happening.
So - if you are out looking for a better filter - it probably hasn't been made yet. Someone would have to work pretty had to make a better filter then the Mazda filter - and they would have to make a hell of a lot of them to even come close to the price Mazda sells theirs for.

Thanks Icemark. I have been enlightened.... Fram sucks.

great post icemark, thanks for the info

how much does mazda charge for their filters?

agreed fram sucks--and good post man. I do believe that the Mobil 1 filter is a good choice. I dont know about the total filter area--heck we dont leave them on long enough to get very dirty anyway--but the rest of the good characteristis you speak off are there.
thanks for the post--again good info
olddragger

Msrp Is $6.69 (plus Local Taxes), You Can Probably Tell Them You Pay Around 5.50 And They May Give It To You For That Price.