Georgia Trail Riders Forum

MEMBERS DISCUSSION AREA => General Discussion => Topic started by: Inavacuum on March 30, 2008, 05:39:24 PM

Title: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Inavacuum on March 30, 2008, 05:39:24 PM
name your favorite oil filter, or which one you believe is the best.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Chris Hyde on March 30, 2008, 06:54:56 PM
Wix
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Matt on March 30, 2008, 07:45:52 PM
K&N
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Krawler00 on March 30, 2008, 09:17:31 PM
Off the wall here but NAPA. You should see the inner workings of that thing.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: BigJerm on March 30, 2008, 09:42:13 PM
been using the K&N but $10 a little much for me so Fram Tough Guard.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Ben H. on March 30, 2008, 11:18:19 PM
Off the wall here but NAPA. You should see the inner workings of that thing.

I'm pretty sure NAPA is either a Wix or Purolator. Both good brands.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: mdo817 on March 31, 2008, 03:02:37 AM
I've been told NAPA are WIX. I use WIX most of the time.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: ballzy on March 31, 2008, 08:51:37 AM
K&N

X2
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Daniel on March 31, 2008, 05:28:30 PM
I'm with Jeremy.  When the filter costs as much as the 5 quart jugs.. it hurts to buy that. 
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: ballzy on April 01, 2008, 03:20:50 PM
how much is it worth to you for that little bit of extra protection?  the fram is around 5 bucks, the k&n is like 13.  not sure on the wix, but they're supposed to be great filters
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Daniel on April 01, 2008, 05:30:40 PM
Exactly, Fram is like 5 bucks for your regular filter, 7 or 8 for your Tough Guard.. my oil costs like 15 bucks.  It's just hard for me to stomach paying 30 bucks for an oil change.  And apparently Fram isn't crap or else they wouldn't be around since forever.  If I did start to get a little cheese stacked up, I'd probably go with K&N though, that's a pretty reputable name.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: jneal on April 02, 2008, 09:52:39 AM
actually IIRC fram is one of the worst rated. Google "oil filter test" and there are a lot of independent test that have been run. I do believe Wix was one of the top rated.

Its all in their construction and I think fram uses paper baffles, no anti drain back valve etc... just cheaply made.


edit> I found the test I was remembering...
http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html
I guess the basic fram does have an anti drain back valve, it is just poorly designed.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: BigJerm on April 02, 2008, 10:03:30 AM
good find neal! Ill have to read up on this tonight
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: jneal on April 02, 2008, 10:13:39 AM
its a good read but keep in mind it is 8 years old now. somethings may have changed.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Chris Hyde on April 02, 2008, 10:27:45 AM
Neal is right, stay away from Fram.  Most everone you talk to will agree.
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: camper on April 02, 2008, 12:48:09 PM
I need to participate some so I can become a little more familiar to y'all.  Someday, maybe I can join a trail ride.  In the mean time, this will add to my three posts count.

About 25 years ago, lots of auto parts manufacturers started being absorbed into large corporations.  As and example, Dana Corporation expanded beyond driveline parts and picked up companies like Victor gaskets, Weatherhead hydraulic fittings, and Wix filters.  Economies of scale type business practices.

Wix filters began in Gastonia, N.C.  Just outside Charlotte.  They were at first principally involved in agriculture equipment.  Oil filters used to be wrapped in cotton "socks" and dropped inside coffee can type housings.  During WWII, Wix got a lot of government work and and after the war, expanded as the automobile industry grew.  They developed and patented the first spin-on canister filter sometime around 1955.  That's now the standard for oil filters.  I believe they became the OE for Ford around then.  I'm sure there are other filter manufactures that have a proud history also.

In my opinion, NAPA auto parts stores usually sell products a notch or two better than most other chain parts store.  And they usually cost  a little more as well.  Early on, Wix signed an aggreement to supply NAPA.  A NAPA gold filter is WIX.  They may also be available at other parts chains....I don't know.

Wix filters have been involved in NASCAR for a long time.  In his glory days, Richard Petty ran with wix filters, as did some other legendary names.  Now Wix and NASCAR are married in a big marketing arrangement and you see their logo an all the cars.  Not long ago, Dana Corporation sold some of it's assets and Wix is now a part of another automotive group.  So who knows how long till they start manufacturing in China. Surveys of independent auto parts countermen have rated their stuff as superior.  None of this is profound.  Just something to add to your site.

I use Wix filters for all the wrong reasons.  I'm a southern boy and they're one of the southern industry success stories.  It just turns out they have a highly regarded product.  I also prefer Coca-Cola.... ;)

wix oil filter 51085...air filter 46081

 

Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Will on April 02, 2008, 01:28:37 PM
Great info! Only Coco-Cola  :D   
Title: Re: Favorite Oil Filter
Post by: Daniel on April 02, 2008, 02:01:01 PM
Neal is right, stay away from Fram.  Most everone you talk to will agree.

Well sorry guys.  I just changed my oil Sunday and I put a Fram filter on and I'm not crawling back under there to take it off.  Maybe in about 3,000 miles we can talk.