Yes, at approximately 3-4k RPM most engines will have sufficient flow out of the oil pump to lift the filter bypass. I know it, I have read the manuals and the spec sheets on filters (bobistheoilguy.com is only place that is bat-crap crazy about filters and oil).
A stock SBC oil pump will move 2-5gpm dep on RPM.
Here's a graph of some modern filters and at what GPM they create the specified differential pressure:
Oil dp chart Save ONE filter all are at or above 10psid with only 2gpm flow. This is COLD oil... but at 5W its pretty darn thin even for 32F.
Yes, I can post bypass numbers for warm oil... but I think its clear that YES, oil filters bypass all the time based on GPM, dirty media, or cold oil.
I would still run any filter (by-pass/full flow) over no filter. Just change the oil more frequently (maybe every 1000 miles) depending on conditions.
