Stupid Little Oil Filter

Silv.4X4 · July 31, 2007

I have a 2004 Chevy Silverado 5.3L, I always change my oil my self, and I usually get my oil fliters at kragen auto parts, just becuase its somewhat close to my house. Each time I go in there I look in the big book of oil filters that will fit my truck, and the only ones they show fitting are stupid little 1 quart filters, so I looked at the filters that worked for 2000, 2001, 2002 5.3L and they are the bigger ones, so I asked the guy if those would work for me. He said No. I told him that they are basically the exact same engines, but he insisted that it wouldnt work on my truck. The seal and everything looks identical on both filters. I just dont want to buy one take it home and then have a chance of it not fitting, or have it go on and have it leak or something. So does anybody know if I can put a bigger filter on? .. It seems to me that you should be able to, it a pretty good size engine, why would you have to be stuck with that stupid little filter. Thanks guys...sorry that was a little lengthy.

SLPR_04 · July 31, 2007

Ask for a '02 model filter, it will work. They are longer than the little ones we have on our '04's. They changed the size because of clearance reasons on other models that use the 5.3l. For now I use a Wix 51522 filter and have no leaks.

mdub · July 31, 2007

Agreed, the Wix 51522 is a significantly larger filter designed for the '99-'02 trucks, but works fine for the '03-'07 Classic trucks. The Wix 51522 has the necessary anti-drainback valve. I've been using the 51522 on my '03 5.3L since the first oil change without any problems.

In case you need an original cross reference number, the OEM filter for the '99-'02 trucks was AC-Delco PF-59 (larger filter, but no longer made). Plug this into the Wix cross reference, and you get part # 51522.

Napa Gold uses the same Wix filter, with their own very similar part # -- as I recall, just a prefix # in front.

FYI... the Bosch filter for '99-'02 trucks is somewhat smaller than the Wix 51522, in case you are tempted by a lower price.

It's always good to point out the Wix 51522 will NOT work on '07-'08 GMT-900 trucks since the threads are different. I haven't researched a larger filter for the GMT-900.

Nytemare · July 31, 2007

Do you guys know if the 4.8L can use this filter? I know everything is pretty much the same but you never know. Always good to ask.

Rolling · July 31, 2007

Yes, any filter that fits a 4.8,5.3,6.0 from 99-06 will fit any other 4.8,5.3,6.0 from 99-06. For whatever reason, the new GMT900 takes a new filter, along with the 07 GMT800 trucks too. *S O M E* of the 03-06 trucks may have clearance issues with the larger filter from the earlier motors, if you do, run the short one! If you dont, run the long one. Either way, the filters themselves are almost identical with the exception of approx. 3/4 inch length.

overlord1 · July 31, 2007

On my last oil change I decided to use K&N p/n HP-2006 which listed for the 2002 models. Previously I had been using the K&N oil filter called for by the book. The HP-2006 is slightly longer but otherwise identical. I noticed no difference in oil pressure or anything else after installing it. I plan to use this longer filter from now on for better filtering.

rossn2 · July 31, 2007

You may want to double check the info on previous posts. Believe GM changed the thread size on the 06 5.3 v8 to be the same as previous years 6.0 v8. So, the info regarding the filters fitting for all the different years is probably incorrect.