The two links you provided have little credibility...one is from a snake oil vendor of niche products and the other is from a backyard "scientist." Do automakers rely on backyard scientists for reliable info on which oil filters are best? His recommendation of M1, K&N, etc filters over Fram, etc filters are strictly based upon his opinion. It is strictly his opinion that the construction methods Champion Labs uses was superior to what Honeywell used. There was no scientific data from a controlled experiment to verify his filter recommendations.

Oil is designed to keep contaminants in suspension. Bigger chunks (hate to use this term) are caught by the filter. Synthetic oils do not have an advantage in keeping contaminants in suspension for a longer period of time...or else automakers would've jumped on the bandwagon the day syn oil launched. Contrary to the marketing hype, the main advantages of synthetic oil are: improved heat resistance at oil temperatures > 305F, improved cold temperature flow, and extended drain intervals under certain conditions.

Your explanation of sludge is partially correct. Yes, oil sludge is oil that has been overloaded with contaminants. But not dirt. It is either excessive antifreeze contamination for a leak, water contamination from either a leak or very, very short trips and inadequate oil changes, or depleted oil (additives) from a very long service interval (> 15k miles) that have rendered the oil unable to protect against normal contamination.

3000 mi is excessive on newer cars? The average drain interval with the GM Oil Life System has been 8500 miles or more for years now, and Honda dealerships (are telling me) that many of their customers have been going 6-7k miles in between service with the Maintenance Minder. VW/Audi has been going 10k miles in between service for many of their vehicles when using the correct oil, likewise BMW.

But yes, it is certainly possible for the filter to bypass if they get clogged...contrary to what you may read, it is quite uncommon for many filters to reach their bypass valve thresholds even when run well beyond their intended service intervals. In fact, even your backyard “scientist” can test this by setting up his own gauge…

Lastly, there are probably many, many cars on the road today that get serviced with nothing other than the latest API spec-ed oil with the lowest quality Fram/Champion labs filters at more than the recommended interval, yet last well over 150k miles, if not more. And if this is relevant, I just pulled off the valve cover on my 96 Saturn 1.9 DOHC with 96k miles. For the last 40-50k miles, the oil and filter was changed every 7-10k miles with whatever 5w30 mineral oil and cheapest filters I had lying around. Recommended service interval under my driving conditions (1-2 mi trips mostly) was 3mo/3k by Saturn. Oil consumption was about 1qt/2-3k miles. Always kept oil level at full. There was absolutely no sludge or even heavy varnish. Only a light golden coating of varnish on the valvetrain.