Composite filter cartridge

A composite filter cartridge comprising:

• a concave metal housing defining an interior space having a longitudinal axis, said housing having a closed first end and an open second end, said open second end including an outwardly flared lip;
• a filter media supported within said interior space and surrounding said longitudinal axis between first and second axial ends;
• a first plastic end cap secured to said first axial end of said filter media and having an outside surface configured to engage said outwardly flared lip of said housing, said first plastic end cap spanning said open second end and defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
• a second end cap proximate the closed first end of the housing, wherein the filter media comprises a single filter element extending between the first plastic end cap and the second end cap;
• a plastic retainer configured to surround said concave metal housing and including an interior surface cooperating with said outside surface of said first plastic end cap and said outwardly flared lip of said housing, wherein the plastic retainer includes engagement lugs arranged on an outside surface of the plastic retainer, and wherein the engagement lugs are configured to interface with a filter head;
• wherein an interface is defined between said outside surface of said first plastic end cap and said plastic retainer, said first plastic end cap is in direct contact with said plastic retainer at said interface, said first plastic end cap and said plastic retainer are permanently joined at said interface, said plastic retainer and first plastic end cap are both engaged with said outwardly flared lip of said housing and secured to each other, thereby securing said housing to said first plastic end cap.