An end cap for a filter element, the end cap comprising: an element receiver having a longitudinal axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter element and being configured to receive an end of an inner tubular element to be coupled to a tubular member; a base passage receiver, the element receiver and the base passage receiver being in flow communication with one another and permit fluid to flow into and out of the filter element; an end cap barrier extending outward from the base passage receiver in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the end cap barrier including a first side configured to face a filter base and a second side configured to face filter media; end cap flow passages positioned around the base passage receiver and configured to provide flow communication between filter media and a filter base, the end cap flow passages extending from the second side of the end cap barrier to the first side of the end cap barrier in a direction along the longitudinal axis, and a barrier edge associated with the end cap barrier and a peripheral seal coupled to the barrier edge and configured to provide a fluid seal with at least one of a filter base and a canister of a filter assembly, characterized in that the end cap flow passages each include a passage opening spaced a first distance ( d 1) from the first side of the end cap barrier, and the passage openings face outward away from the base passage receiver, and the base passage receiver terminates at a third distance ( d 3) from the first side of the end cap barrier, and the first distance ( d 1) is greater than the third distance ( d 3), and an uppermost surface of the peripheral seal terminates a second distance ( d 2) from the first side of the end cap barrier, and wherein the first distance ( d 1) is greater than the second distance ( d 2). an element receiver having a longitudinal axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter element and being configured to receive an end of an inner tubular element to be coupled to a tubular member; a base passage receiver, the element receiver and the base passage receiver being in flow communication with one another and permit fluid to flow into and out of the filter element; an end cap barrier extending outward from the base passage receiver in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the end cap barrier including a first side configured to face a filter base and a second side configured to face filter media; end cap flow passages positioned around the base passage receiver and configured to provide flow communication between filter media and a filter base, the end cap flow passages extending from the second side of the end cap barrier to the first side of the end cap barrier in a direction along the longitudinal axis, and a barrier edge associated with the end cap barrier and a peripheral seal coupled to the barrier edge and configured to provide a fluid seal with at least one of a filter base and a canister of a filter assembly, characterized in that the end cap flow passages each include a passage opening spaced a first distance ( d 1) from the first side of the end cap barrier, and the passage openings face outward away from the base passage receiver, and the base passage receiver terminates at a third distance ( d 3) from the first side of the end cap barrier, and the first distance ( d 1) is greater than the third distance ( d 3), and an uppermost surface of the peripheral seal terminates a second distance ( d 2) from the first side of the end cap barrier, and wherein the first distance ( d 1) is greater than the second distance ( d 2).