[Oldsguy]

Well, I would think that the newer paper elements are probably better but everything is relative. If you are talking about changing from an oil bath to a paper element filter on an otherwise un-modified 50's or early 60's engine I would guess that the benefit would be negligable. If however, that engine has been thoroughly rebuilt with performance in mind then probably going to a paper element filter would be just another step in an obvious direction. I remember seeing how a company advertises that their paper element system w/ associated tubing is an improvement over stock element and housing in a new vehicle, so what do you conclude from that? I am not sure....... To be honest, I think that the biggest improvement is cleanliness and ease of changing the filter meduim.