Hamp Synergy Oil Filters

[Jett]

Hamp Synergy oil filters (a JDM product) are advertised as being superior to oem Honda (allegedly manufactured by Fram for the US market) oil filters, by virtue of (supposedly) "providing better screening as well as higher and more consistent oil pressure." I have also seen these oil filters described as being either the "large" filter or the "small" filter, with the smaller one supposedly providing "higher and more consistent oil pressure which is ideal for race purposes".

I have seen three different part numbers listed for these oil filters - I think the correct part number for the NSX may be part number H1540-PLC-505, but I am not sure, as I also see Hamp oil filters for Honda applications with part numbers H1540-RTA-505 (seems to be for other Hondas) and H1540-PLC-004 (not sure which car this is for).

Has anyone ever used a Hamp Synergy oil filter, either for the NSX or for another car? Any comments on any of the claims being made? Does anyone know which HAMP Synergy part number might be correct for the NSX? It would still require the use of a crush washer, correct?

In all of NSX prime there is only one mention of a Hamp oil filter, which seems unusual.

 

[Ponyboy]

Seen them FS on eBay...subscribing to this thread.

 

[KooLaid]

Yes, crush washer is for your oil drain plug. So still required.

 

[BATMANs]

I'm open for anything that filters better than the OEM filters.

There was a thread that I started on this matter.

 

[Daedalus]

Since when are Fram and Toyo Roki the same company? The specified OEM filter is made in Japan. US-made substitutes made for Honda should be avoided (I don't think they're made by Fram; they may be worse). There are at least a few studies out there that compare several brands of filters on aspects such as materials, filter area, element thickness, filtering tolerance, etc. A few filters have been found to offer good value relative to OEM import filters, but I personally won't make substitutes to try and save ~$30/year.

From the Hamp marketing literature:

The new small HAMP filters will give about 5psi more of oil pressure due to its smaller size. There is no loss of filtration or performance with the smaller filter.

Huh? How does being smaller cause greater exit pressure? Why would Honda cannibalize its own line of OEM filters with a product that was better at 1/2 the price?

 

[ak]

From what I read on honda website, Hamp is a Honda parts line that is there to compete with the aftermarket companies likes of FRAM etc. I'm sure it is good quality but it is not better than OEM! Don't believe the JDM bs people are trying to feed you on ebay.

 

[BD]

Hamp Synergy oil filters (a JDM product) are advertised as being superior to oem Honda (manufactured by Fram for the US market) oil filters, by virtue of (allegedly) providing better screening as well as higher and more consistent oil pressure. I have seen three different part numbers listed for these oil filters - I think the correct part number for the NSX may be part number H1540-PLC-505, but I am not sure, as I also see Hamp oil filters for Honda applications with part numbers H1540-RTA-505 (seems to be for other Hondas) and H1540-PLC-004 (not sure which car this is for). I have also seen these oil filters described as being either the "large" filter or the "small" filter, with the smaller one supposedly providing "higher and more consistent oil pressure which is ideal for race purposes".

In all of NSX prime there is only one mention of a Hamp oil filter, which seems unusual.

Has anyone ever used a Hamp Synergy oil filter, either for the NSX or for another car? Does anyone know which part number is correct for the NSX? It would still require the use of a crush washer, correct?

So if I tell you JDM Big Mac is better than the USDM Big Mac, would you believe me?:biggrin:

 

[NSXDreamer2]

So if I tell you JDM Big Mac is better than the USDM Big Mac, would you believe me?:biggrin:

you eat that in your JDM nsx R clone, right?

You are an Asian driving a top of the line Japanese car with a lots of JDM parts, you know your shit!!! ok, I'll believe you! But if a white boy tells me that I'll call it Bullshit......... :biggrin: LOL, of course I'm just kidding.:wink:

In fact, I believed they do taste different in different countries. I had also tried KFC in HK, Taiwan and not only they are different than US' chicken, they are different from each other too...

 

[BD]

you eat that in your JDM nsx R clone, right?

You are an Asian driving a top of the line Japanese car with a lots of JDM parts, you know your shit!!! ok, I'll believe you! But if a white boy tells me that I'll call it Bullshit......... :biggrin: LOL, of course I'm just kidding.:wink:

In fact, I believed they do taste different in different countries. I had also tried KFC in HK, Taiwan and not only they are different than US' chicken, they are different from each other too...

lol, I was in Japan, Taiwan, HK.. the really funny thing is, they have Curry sauce and they actually taste good in a burger...

 

[nsxsupra]

In fact, I believed they do taste different in different countries. I had also tried KFC in HK, Taiwan and not only they are different than US' chicken, they are different from each other too...

They do offer many more variety than what we have here. Seasoned fries, teriyaki burger, shrimp burger, other unusual items, etc.

I travel frequently for both business and pleasure, not just visted but lived and studied in Japan. USA is just a small part of the world. There are so much too see, so much to experience. Usually Mcdonald is the very last thing I want to eat. Even 7-11 have better food. Shrimp burger and Teriyaki Mac is pretty decent.

http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/sales/new/snack/snack.html

 

[nsxotic911]

Back to the origional topic - the HAMP filters -.
I think there are a few important points that must be taken into perspective:

1.) This is a Honda JDM part which is marketed by HONDA towards high performance applications. This is not marketed by the likes of K&N...Again, I repeat, this is marketed by Honda, in Japan for high performance applications. I believe it is the stock filter on the Type S/R versions of Integras, Civics, Prelude's etc...(why/if the NSX I don't know..)
2.) A number of different reviews, some more scientific than others, rate the HAMP filter to be of good and better quality than your average filter.
http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/old_filters.shtml
-You should notice that the Honda JDM filter gets a very good review.
-The HAMP identical to the Honda JDM with the exception of the smaller filter and/or less filtration material.
-The Honda USA filter gets a horrible review. Whether the NSX filter is manufactured under by the same company, design or poor QA I don't know.. but it is worth making a note. Honda recently went to Fram based filters for the S2000 and it caused an uproar in the US community ( as well as not addressing the fact that the 4th cylinder receives a lot more heat due to a design flaw, and oil starvation can and does occur at long intervals of high soeed. This was fixed for the Japan & Euro models, but not the US. The speculative reason being that, sine we don’t have the Autobahn, the S2Ks are not under the same stress. This hasn’t been confirmed/denied by Honda, but the fact that things like this are different does spark controversy and rasies questions)


3.) A smaller oil filter does result in higher pressure, at the cost of filtration, generally speaking. If fluid flows through an object that is 1 quart versus 4 quarts (for demonstration purposes..) the pressure and the velocity of flow will be naturally be higher. When you water the grass - the smaller the intake, the greater the pressure – the faster water jets out – and farther -right? The same physics that apply there apply here... Secondly, and more importantly - less filter material means greater pressure b/c the fluid has less material to fight... Silly example: My wife tells me last night "the heater is not working.." I look at the thermostat and see a "filter" flashing Go down to the furnace & other inlet/outlets in the house, and what do you know, the filters are all clogged up. I could get the furnace to turn on, but very little air would come out b/c of the filters. Fixed it, keeps on humming..

4.) On the NSX, unless you're doing 6K+ winter driving, I believe oil pressure is of greater importance than fitlration. I suspect that most of the owners here change their oil more frequently than the 3K/5K/7K/10K (whatever you want to believe..) regular/synthetic recommended intervals and the OEM filters filter less material than they normally would in greater-mileage intervals. Additionaly, I suspect that most people here clean their air filter fairly often which futher limits the gunk that gets into their engines. Lastly, given reports of oil starvations in track/aggresive/fi'd cars, I would trade less filtration for increased oil pressure any day of the week.

5.) Although the USA Honda NSX Oil Filter is 'good enough', there has been no empirical study of any kind that I have come across that provides data and compares it to competitors. This means that conclusions that it's a high(er) performance than any other filter is purely speculative and conjecture. I would take this statement back if I was certain that the Honda NSX USA Filter is the same filter as what's on the Japanese cars.. but I have my suspicions that it is not..

In conclusion, the HAMP are excellent filters and I would trust the HAMP 10X over the USA Honda NSX filter. However, it was my understanding that there is not a HAMP filter for the NSX (for whatever reason..) I have a number of HAMP filters that are specified for the S2k & Civics, which, based on the ring side, it is much smaller and doesn't appear like it is supposed to fit on the NSX. I guess I could try and see if the oil leaks, but it might be too risky unless someone can definitively confirm that it will work, or the part# that will (everything I've seen says 'NOT FOR NSX')

 

[ak]

Back to the origional topic - the HAMP filters -.
I think there are a few important points that must be taken into perspective:

1.) This is a Honda JDM part which is marketed by HONDA towards high performance applications. This is not marketed by the likes of K&N...Again, I repeat, this is marketed by Honda, in Japan for high performance applications.

Show us the official Honda statement that says this. Because I searched through Honda Japan website and there's nowhere which states that HAMP is for high performance application other than their Hyper Synergy line which is limited to oils, sparkplugs etc.

2.) A number of different reviews, some more scientific than others, rate the HAMP filter to be of good and better quality than your average filter.
http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/old_filters.shtml
-You should notice that the Honda JDM filter gets a very good review.
-The HAMP identical to the Honda JDM with the exception of the smaller filter and/or less filtration material.
-The Honda USA filter gets a horrible review. Whether the NSX filter is manufactured under by the same company, design or poor QA I don't know..

To my knowledge, NSX filter has not changed and is shared between US and Japan. Same part # etc.

I won't argue with you on the S2k front because I don't know about it but please let it be known that HAMP is not a high performance part but only Honda Aftermarket part. It probably has decent near OEM quality but at the end it's a cheaper than an OEM brand.

 

[Tom239]

2.) A number of different reviews, some more scientific than others, rate the HAMP filter to be of good and better quality than your average filter.
http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/old_filters.shtml
-You should notice that the Honda JDM filter gets a very good review.
-The HAMP identical to the Honda JDM with the exception of the smaller filter and/or less filtration material.
-The Honda USA filter gets a horrible review. Whether the NSX filter is manufactured under by the same company, design or poor QA I don't know.. but it is worth making a note.

All the NSX filters I've bought (15400-PL4-002) were labeled Made in Japan.

3.) A smaller oil filter does result in higher pressure, at the cost of filtration, generally speaking.

An Acura dealer once used that argument to try to sell me the smaller 15400-PL2-315 filter instead.

On the NSX, unless you're doing 6K+ winter driving, I believe oil pressure is of greater importance than fitlration.

It's hard for me to evaluate this. I'd need more detailed information to be convinced.

 

[Daedalus]

3.) A smaller oil filter does result in higher pressure, at the cost of filtration, generally speaking. If fluid flows through an object that is 1 quart versus 4 quarts (for demonstration purposes..) the pressure and the velocity of flow will be naturally be higher. When you water the grass - the smaller the intake, the greater the pressure – the faster water jets out – and farther -right? The same physics that apply there apply here... Secondly, and more importantly - less filter material means greater pressure b/c the fluid has less material to fight...

Incorrect. Decreased filter area reduces the ability for the oil to pass through the filter. Same for air filters. You want as much filter area as possible, hence the pleats. Velocity does not equal volumetric flow rate. You can put a nozzle on a hose and increase velocity, but the total flow rate will be less than without the nozzle.

 

[Jett]

Since when are Fram and Toyo Roki the same company?

The fact (as illustrated in the excellent link provided to the NTPOG Oil Filter Review) is that sometimes Honda contracts with different manufacturers to supply a single product. Nothing wrong or unusual with that in and of itself.

The specified OEM filter is made in Japan.

Not in this case. Just because it carries a Honda part number and is labeled as a "genuine Honda Part" doesn't mean that it was manufactured by Honda of Japan. Or Honda USA, for that matter. This is true of other car brands as well. Many "oem" auto parts are manufactured by subcontractors.

US-made substitutes made for Honda should be avoided.

Are you referring to aftermarket oil filters or oem Honda filters? Actually, either way you are probably using a US-made substitute. Again, nothing wrong with that in and of itself - there is no reason to avoid either USM or JDM products if they are of demonstrably high quality. The key is to analyze manufacturer and advertising claims to see if they can withstand scrutiny, which was my intent with the original post. I don't know if HAMP products are better or not, but I hope to tap into the collective wisdom to arrive at an informed conclusion.

I don't think {oem Honda filters are} made by Fram.

The "made in Canada" Honda filter (part number 15400-PT7-005) deconstructed by NTPOG was reported to be identical (emphasis theirs) in construction to the Fram filters, down to the fine details, so identical as to be extremely unlikely to be a coincidence (although it did exhibit increased surface area and inlet area vs the Fram-labeled units). The US-manufactured oem Honda filter deconstructed by NTPOG was stamped as being manufactured by Filtech (a large US manufacturer of filters under various brand names). For the filters to be manufactured by either Fram or Filtech isn't a bad thing in and of itself. What would be bad is if these filters are inferior.

I personally won't make substitutes to try and save $30/year.

While saving money is absolutely positively not a bad thing (thirty bucks is thirty bucks), who is trying to save money here? HAMP oil filters are the most expensive. I am just trying to identify the best oil filter. If it is the Wal-Mart UFFACEM-E* oil filter at 99 cents apiece, then cool. If it is the Hamp at $12 a pop, also cool. If it is the oem Honda unit from either the US, Canada, or Japan, that is cool too. If it is something else entirely, I am cool with that also. I would expect that those who track their cars or otherwise operate their cars under extreme conditions would be most interested in this topic. So let's deconstruct the various manufacturer and advertising claims and see if we can reach a conclusion.

Show us the official Honda statement that says this. Because I searched through Honda Japan website and there's nowhere which states that HAMP is for high performance application other than their Hyper Synergy line which is limited to oils, sparkplugs etc.

Here is their statement:

Introducing Japan Honda's aftermarket line of automotive products..."HAMP Synergy". HAMP Synergy are aftermarket products designed by Honda and are a step up from the "Honda Original Parts" products. Not meant to compete with racing produts, however, these pieces are quality. The HAMP oil filter can be used on any Honda, but was specifically designed for use in the Type-R and S series cars in mind. Features include a unique release valve that dynamically adjusts to the conditions within the filter to keep the oil flow and pressure constant. The HAMP oil filter will last longer and filter better than any of the oil filters currently on the market.

The small hamp filters that we offer are originally made for the RSX/DC5-R and EP3(03 Civic Type-R). They will also fit all 88-00 Fuel injected Honda/Acuras. By the same token, the new small HAMP filters will give about 5 psi more of oil pressure due to its smaller size. There is no loss of filtration or performance with the smaller filter.

I am willing to give Honda/HAMP Synergy a try if possible.

Why would Honda cannibalize its own line of OEM filters with a product that was better at 1/2 the price?

It would seem that Honda is trying to compete with the aftermarket manufacturers on their own turf by coming out with a line of high-quality but non-oem products. Seems like a good strategy - compete and win back market share. Also, product technology evolves. HAMP might be making better parts than what was originally developed as oem, but changing the recommended part for a particular application is probably very expensive (changing catalog numbers, modifying all references to a particular part number, restocking, etc) particularly if the notion was to update a part which is performing "well enough" already.

I'm sure it is good quality but it is not better than OEM!

After deconstructing a few oil filters, NTPOG seems to offer objective evidence which differs with your opinion, sometimes depending on where the particular oil filter was manufactured.

Don't believe the JDM bs people are trying to feed you on ebay.

Excellent advice. I am a born skeptic. I am so skeptical that I am suspicious of my own advice. So that is why I threw this question out into the public arena, in search of enlightenment.

To SlowNSXT, your post is very informative and lucid and is much appreciated. These filters are advertised as fitting all 1988-2000 fuel-injected Honda/Acuras, yet I am not quite ready to just accept that at face value. I would like to identify an appropriate Hamp part number and then do a very close comparison of the Hamp filter alongside an oem Honda filter to see if it would be identical enough to try. I guess I will just have to buy one and compare them.


*universal fit for all cars ever made, ever

 

[Daedalus]

Obviously they aren't - the point (as illustrated in the excellent link provided to the NTPOG Oil Filter Review) is that sometimes Honda contracts with different manufacturers to supply a single product.

Your original question was regarding the NSX filter? Or filters for other Acura models? The specified NSX filter, as already stated, is PN 15400-PL2-004. Just because another Honda filter screws onto the car and filters oil doesn't mean it's the right one, regardless of what someone may have sold you in lieu of stocking the correct parts. This thread has relevant info.

Hamp oil filters are the most expensive.

Again, compared to what? I see the Hamps advertised for $7 a pop. Since buying the car I've never seen the NSX filter sold for less than maybe $12 each, except for the occasional garage sale.

It would seem that Honda is trying to compete with the aftermarket manufacturers on their own turf by coming out with a line of high-quality but non-oem products. Seems like a good strategy - compete and win back market share. Also, product technology evolves. Hamp might be making better parts than what was originally developed as oem, but changing the recommended part for a particular application is probably very expensive (changing catalog numbers, modifying all references to a particular part number, restocking, etc) particularly if the notion was to update a part which is performing "well enough" already.

It's very easy (accepted practice) to supercede parts with better ones without changing part numbers, as long as the newer versions satisfy all original requirements. I see no reason to offer 2 different products that have the same value proposition to the consumer, and it's worse if one is similar but cheaper. It really isn't a good strategy. Being "aftermarket" does not, in itself, add any value to the product. There is no premium to be had for not having "HONDA" stamped on its side. You say you're looking for objective info...meaning you care about price and performance, not labels--same as most other folks. Honda knows this...you can be sure their intent is to position the Hamp line differently than their OEM line.

After deconstructing a few oil filters, NTPOG seems to offer objective evidence which differs with your opinion, sometimes depending on where the particular oil filter was manufactured.

What objective evidence, specifically, differs? I said US-made filters for Honda should be avoided. NTPOG said "the furry nature of the media makes me question how long it lasts and what it will release into the oil system". I said "a few filters have been found to offer good value relative to OEM import filters". Their findings seem to support this.

I never said Hamp was a bad product. I am saying it's probably not a good idea to trust a filter simply because it's designed by Honda for the aftermarket and stated to be better than an OEM filter designed for a different engine with 1/2 the displacement as the one you own.

 

[Jett]

Your original question was regarding the NSX filter? Or filters for other Acura models?

The original question was requesting general information on HAMP synergy filters, and in particular which part number might be correct for an NSX. The follow-up information is a comparison of filters in an attempt to compare the quality of construction of HAMP filters to other brands of filters. I will go back and edit the first post to make it more clear.

The specified NSX filter, as already stated, is PN 15400-PL2-004.

Thank you for restating this as being the widely accepted oem Honda oil filter part number. However, I was hoping to get an accurate HAMP Synergy part number, if available.

Just because another Honda filter screws onto the car and filters oil doesn't mean it's the right one, regardless of what someone may have sold you in lieu of stocking the correct parts.

Facts not in dispute. The whole point of the original post is to learn more about HAMP Synergy and to find out if one of the HAMP Synergy oil filters really will fit an NSX, as has been advertised. I would just look it up myself instead of taking another verbal beating but I can't read Japanese.

This thread has relevant info.

Thank you again. Unfortunately, it is relevant to oem filters but not to HAMP Synergy oil filters.

Again, compared to what? I see the Hamps advertised for $7 a pop. Since buying the car I've never seen the NSX filter sold for less than maybe $12 each, except for the occasional garage sale.

I have also seen HAMP Synergy filters for sale for $7, but $8 for shipping, buying one filter. If I were to try one, at first I would only buy one to use as a comparison filter to an oem filter, so it would probably end up costing me personally at least $15. Buying in bulk I might get the final price down to $10 apiece, after shipping. I have never seen any for sale in my local area, although it is possible that there some around. They sell NSX parts at garage sales where you live? Man, I'm in the wrong part of the country! Or are they just selling used oil filters?

It's very easy (accepted practice) to supercede parts with better ones without changing part numbers, as long as the newer versions satisfy all original requirements.

After more consideration of this issue, I don't think this was a relevant comment on my part. I now conclude that Honda wanted to gain back market share by competing with aftermarket manufacturers, so they created an "aftermarket" division to sell some products that were "a step up" from oem.

I see no reason to offer 2 different products that have the same value proposition to the consumer, and it's worse if one is similar but cheaper. It really isn't a good strategy.

Honda apparently doesn't see it that way.

There is no premium to be had for not having "HONDA" stamped on its side.

There is a "premium to be had" (additional money to be made) by manufacturing a product that is better than oem that will take business back from aftermarket competitors.

You say you're looking for objective info...meaning you care about price and performance, not labels--same as most other folks. Honda knows this...you can be sure their intent is to position the Hamp line differently than their OEM line.

I absolutely agree. They are positioning the HAMP Synergy products as being superior to oem.

What objective evidence, specifically, differs? I said US-made filters for Honda should be avoided. NTPOG said "the furry nature of the media makes me question how long it lasts and what it will release into the oil system". I said "a few filters have been found to offer good value relative to OEM import filters". Their findings seem to support this.

Uh, I was responding to ak in this instance (see post #15 above for confirmation), who said "I'm sure it is good quality but it is not better than OEM!" I agree with your statements located directly above in the quote box.

HAMP/Honda themselves state that the HAMP filter is better than oem product. (In other words, Honda is saying that these HAMP filters are better than their own oem filters! This seems like a pretty strong endorsement.) Plus NTPOG identified several oil filters which were better constructed than oem US Honda filters.

I never said Hamp was a bad product. I am saying it's probably not a good idea to trust a filter simply because it's designed by Honda for the aftermarket and stated to be better than an OEM filter designed for a different engine with 1/2 the displacement as the one you own.

We are generally in agreement here. My original inquiry was primarily to determine if one of the HAMP Synergy oil filters was indeed appropriate for NSX use (as has been advertised), and secondarily for HAMP Synergy information in general. Being a skeptic, I didn't just want to take an advertisement at face value. I wanted some independent verification to determine if one of the HAMP Synergy oil filters was appropriate. So here we are...checking it out.

 

[Jett]

Under the theory of being skeptical of my own advice, when I compare two different NSX filters that I currently have in my "garage", I see two filters which are visually very different.

The first filter is the Penske PN6552 (Made in USA). On the box (part number on box matches part number on filter) it says it fits Acura Legend v6 engine 88-95, NSX 91-97, TL series V6 engine (96) and Sterling 827 (89-91). It lists as cross-reference Fram PH6552 (so, it's merely a Fram of a different color - yellow) and AC Delco PF1240. This aftermarket filter advertises features which include "20% more filtering area than the leading brand", a "tin-plated steel spiral center tube designed for maximum oil flow and superior collapse strength", a "steel coil spring which seals the filter securely against its base plate to prevent oil bypass", and "tin-plated metal end caps to be corrosion resistant." It appears to be 20% taller than the Honda filter, in keeping with the 20% more filtering material claim. The outside diameter is the same, but the center hole on the Penske filter visually appears slightly larger, while the center hole of the Honda filter seems both slightly smaller and recessed more. They both have eight inlet holes, but the wall where the inlet holes are located slopes more diagonally on the Honda filter. Finally, the rubber gasket runs around the outside perimeter of the Penske filter but is somewhat recessed from the rim of the Honda filter, approximately 1/4" (visually estimated, convert to mm).

The second filter is an oem Honda oil filter, part number 15400-PT7-005. Coincidentally, this is the exact same filter as the "made in Canada" filter deconstructed by NTPOG. The label has the same part number and a "Made in Canada" designation. I notice that this part number is different than the part number (15400-PL2-004) generally stated as being THE oem NSX oil filter, yet this was sold to me as being correct for an NSX. (From the link below, Curry Acura is selling this same part number as correct/acceptable for the NSX, under the "all Acuras" category.) Curry says that this oil filter (15400-PT7-005) fits "all Acura models" except Legend and 96-98 3.2 TL. (Hmmm. This seems just the opposite of the Penske filter, yet the Penske filter said it fix the NSX right on the box.) I have used one of these Honda filters (15400-PT7-005) on my car so far without incident. If this is an acceptable replacement, then it leads me to believe that one of the HAMP filters might fit the NSX also.

(http://www.curryacuraparts.com/doityourself.html

Just based on a visual inspection, I would conclude that these filters were for two completely different cars, so I am not sure that even a visual comparison would be sufficient to confirm a correct-fit Hamp filter, unless the two filters happened to be identical in construction and dimensions. I will have to purchase an oem Honda (15400-PL2-004) filter and then try and identify which (if any) HAMP Synergy filter is an identical match.

 

[Jett]

Okay, here is an interesting visual representation. (I may yet be able to make a successful comparison without buying another oil filter.) These photos, originally from IPSracing.com in Massachusetts, show the small HAMP Synergy oil filter, large HAMP Synergy oil filter, and oem US Honda oil filter (not sure precisely which oem Honda filter). The accompanying text reads:

Honda HAMP Oil Filters

Introducing Japan Honda's aftermarket line of automotive products..."HAMP Synergy". HAMP Synergy are aftermarket products designed by Honda and are a step up from the "Honda Original Parts" products. Features include a unique release valve that dynamically adjusts to the conditions within the filter to keep the oil flow and pressure constant. The HAMP oil filter will last longer and filter better than any of the oil filters currently on the market"

Large - Good for Everyday Cars, Race use etc. (Same Size as OEM Filter, but with better build quality and materials)

Small - Good for 01+ Civics & 02+ RSX as well as Honda's being used for HDPE and Road Course Racing (Minimizes the Pressure changes in the Oil system when going in and out of VTEC) (Same Filter used by Spoon Sports and Many other Japanese Honda Race Car teams)

Upon visual comparison, the external dimensions of the large Hamp oil filter appear identical to the oem Honda 15400-PT7-005 (made in Canada) oil filter I currently have in my possession. Also, the business end appears to be identical, right down to having the small canted "U" between two of the inlet holes. I need to try and compare an oem Honda 15400-PL2-004 oil filter to the large HAMP Synergy filter in this photo. I will see if I can find a photo of the business end of the 15400-PL2-004. Can anyone help me out on this by obtaining a photo of the end of the 15400-PL2-004? I'm not having any luck finding one online.

The small HAMP Synergy oil filter must be for small inline fours. Wow, it is really tiny. I am not familiar with Japanese Honda racing teams or the types of engines they run, or even other Honda automobiles for that matter, but I can't see the small HAMP Synergy filter as being suitable for NSX duty. I would not be willing to try the small HAMP filter, but would be willing to try the large one if I can ultimately verify that the dimensions and design are identical to the oem Honda filter.

IPSracing might be able to offer an informed opinion on this topic.

 

[ak]

Is HAMP oil filter better than US made "OEM" filters? Possibly. Is HAMP better than Japanese made OEM filters? NO. Is HAMP high performance? HELL NO! Nowhere in japan are HAMP filters sold as a high performance/race filters. They are only sold as an OEM replacement parts. Do not buy those store fronts who just copy and paste the same lie about how HAMP is for high performance and making it sacred in the name of JDM.

THERE IS NO NSX HAMP FILTER REPLACEMENT PARTS. Check this link.

http://www.honda.co.jp/afterservice/parts/oil_filter/hamp-tekiou.html

You can see cars that use the same filter UA3(Inspire) and KA1(Legend) as the NSX and it does not show any applicable HAMP parts.

 

[Hugh]

God this is boring stuff. I have 180,000 miles on my engine, change the oil every 3 to 5 thousand miles and use Amsoil 10W-30 and Auto-RX religiously and only use the OEM NSX oil filter (PN 15400-PL2-004) which Delray Acura charges me $9.00 and change for.

The valve covers were off my car the other day for an adjutment and my engine looked as clean as it did the day it left the factory.

 

[EIFFEL]

With regular oil and filter change @3000 miles interval, any engine can look like new with regular motor oil.

 

[Jett]

Someone e-mailed me recently on this topic, so I thought I would post the reply in the open forum:

Distilling it down to the most relevant information, the large HAMP oil filter, upon visual comparison, is absolutely identical both externally and at the "business end" (where it screws onto the car) to the Honda oil filter number 15400-PT7-005 (made in Canada), right down to having the small canted "U" between two of the inlet holes. (Note that the stated Honda part number differs from Honda part number 15400-PL2-004 which is quoted as being the "correct" part number for the NSX.) I have successfully ran Honda filter 15400-PT7-005 on my car with no incidents, but I have yet to try the large HAMP filter.

I believe that the so-called "LARGE" Hamp oil filter would be perfectly safe and serviceable for NSX use. But right before it was installed I would have to personally compare the business ends of the old filter and the HAMP filter one last time, just to make me feel secure. (Again, it appears identical in form and function to oem.) Having said that, I don't think it is better than the oem filter, merely the same. So I see neither advantage nor penalty to using the large HAMP filter.

IMPORTANT - Definitely AVOID the "small" Hamp oil filter for NSX use. Also AVOID the Penske PN6552 oil filter and the AC Delco PF1240 oil filter. The last two filters are physically larger than the oem filter and advertise greater filtration, but the "business ends" are visually much different from oem, with a vastly different shape, and I am almost certain that they wouldn't seal well and would leak oil. I would absolutely NOT use them even though, at least in the case of the Penske, it says it is for application '91-'97 NSX right on the box. I believe anecdoctal evidence regarding using these filters on other cars confirms that these really should not be used.

So what's the bottom line? Long Story Short - Just keep it simple and use the oem Honda oil filter, part number 15400-PL2-004. And do use a fresh crush washer each time you change your oil. But if you were to use the large (not small!) HAMP oil filter, the sky would not fall.

Hope this helps!

 

[Hugh]

What's an oil filter? Where does it plug into on the car? Do you have to change it at anytime or can you wait until it blows out like you do with a light bulb?

 

[nsxotic911]

What's an oil filter? Where does it plug into on the car? Do you have to change it at anytime or can you wait until it blows out like you do with a light bulb?

Definitions of oil filter on the Web:

A device used to strain the oil in the engine thus removing abrasive particles. Some filters are a can-like container, others look like small air filters which fit into a canister. Most manufacturers recommend that the oil filter should be replaced at least every second oil change.
www.100megsfree4.com/dictionary/car-dico.htm

A device, with a typically with a filter size of 10 microns, which strains dirt and particles out of the engine oil.
www.givecars.com/auto-terms/auto-terms-n-o.html

A can-like device that screws onto the outside of the crankcase and cleans the oil as it circulates through the lubrication system. Oil filters should be replaced at least every other oil change.
www.mechanicnet.com/apps/partners/gmcl/references/glossary

a filter that removes impurities from the oil used to lubricate an internal-combustion engine
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Change Intervals:
Change intervals depend on manufacturer, though most manufacturers recommend approximately 7500 miles under normal conditions. Honda recommends such intervals for the NSX. Some have chosen to take a more conservative route and change them more often, as early as 3000 miles and even less.

The Oil Filter should be replaced on a regular basis. It is unlike bulb where it would be adequate to replace only when it fails. If an oil filter bursts, cavatate, or otherwise fails in its ability to filter appropriately, serious engine damage can and likely will occur. Signs of no oil in the oil pan, no oil pressure, oil draining from engine can be signs of a failed oil filter.

I hope that helps.