Oil filter AC DELCO or STP

I also use an ACDelco filter (blasphemy, I know).

Absolutely not. Example, I was an equipment manager at a Petroleum tank company. On our generator I tried to use several different manufacturers and the all blew the seals out because of filter material and pressure valves they used. I ended up buying OEM filters and never had a problem after that.

RockAuto sells AC Delco oil filters for $9. AC/D dexos 5-quart for $19 and one single quart for $4.

I buy 6 quarts of Pennzoil 5w30 full synthetic and an AC Delco filter for like $38 from Walmart.

In my area I usually buy my Mobil One full synthetic at Walmart in the 5qt jug for roughly $22, use what I need (my vehicle uses litters ...) My Delco filter is like $6.

Personally, I just use whatever is cheapest, as long as it is rated decently by the API. The way I see it, oil is really just oil. It's slick, it lubricates, it has whatever weight and viscosity it says on the bottle. The API makes sure it reaches those standards along with any claims on the bottle, so I'm comfortable saving money there. I've never had any issues in my many tens of thousands of miles of ownership and there's no sludge buildup or any worrying deposits inside the motor that I've seen when I've worked on it.

AC Delco oil filters are now all made in China (but they won't confirm nor deny this), so they have a single package for all markets they serve.

For oil filters I feel like the ACDelco filters are pretty low quality and there are many better options. Mobil and K&N oil filters are available at Walmart for $10-15, made in USA, and seem to be much better quality.

My son went to a local shop who used STP/Fram/K&N and collapsed the material inside the housing, and the motor gave him fits and lights.

Put some normal oil and an STP filter in it. Got it all back together, runs great. Ran around the block, noticed the oil light flashed when over 2500 RPM . Back in the drive way, let it cool down. This morning, put motor flush in, idle it for 5 minutes per instructions, and drained the oil and changed the filter. Looking at the filter, it seems collapsed. It doesn't seem horribly clogged - there is a bit of silt in the crevices, but that was expected. Is it just because of the cheap filter?