Oil Filter Studies

[Jim Fierst]

Just in case there is anyone out there who would like to learn a bit more about the construction, materials and manufacturers of filters you can look up "Oil Filter Study"on the Net. The one to read is authored by Russ Knize. The original work was done in 1998 and then updated in 2008. Several things I took from the study was how few actual manufacturers there were and that higher price did not equate to quality. While the study focused on Mopar products a lot of the information is general. One thing for certain was that he did not think much of the Fram line and its private labeled versions of the same products. As always draw your own conclusions.

[Will]

Since nobody replied to this yet, thanks for posting it Jim..... and Happy New Year!

BTW, IIRC I read somewhere that the Wix, Purolator Gold, (or is it Wix Gold and Purolator?) and Wally World house-brand filters are all identical except for branding? Going from memory here and I don't use any of the above, so somebody back me up on this one, eh?

[cthargiss]

Wix and Purolater are separate companys and each makes its own filters. Both are top quality. Wix currently makes the NAPA branded filters.
The filters at China-Mart are made by which ever company (usually Fram) offers the lowest bid that month.
My preference is for Purolater, Wix, or Baldwin.
Craig

[Will]

Wix and Purolater are separate companys and each makes its own filters. Both are top quality. Wix currently makes the NAPA branded filters.
The filters at China-Mart are made by which ever company (usually Fram) offers the lowest bid that month.
My preference is for Purolater, Wix, or Baldwin.
Craig

OK Craig you made me use Google!

From another board:

Again, Walmart Supertech - Manufactured by Bosch / Champion Labs. Wal-Mart buys in such quantities, that they can negotiate good prices with their suppliers. For approximately $2, the Supertech filter is very well constructed.

Personally, I use Tecnocars- bought a case of them and they are fine for my purposes. Saving two bucks on a filter isn't a super high priority to me, I get more than a year out of the thing anyway.

[WillJ]

Like your typical Yankee consumer I get a pseudo feeling of well being
using the higher priced K & N filters now after over 25 years of the Fram
products in every Italian car I ever owned. :scratch: Interesting study.

That explains all the grief and easter egg hunt - like parts searches (not
to mention the walking) associated with catastrophes - It's been Fram all
along !!!!!

Thanks for the info, I am always interested in revelatory topics such as
this. But please don't start any "Lodge plugs cause detonation" threads
though. This study has made me paranoid enough for the moment.

Perhaps the brain trust could assemble a reference "sticky" regarding the
basic maintenance parts and their corresponding manufacturers and part
numbers, such as ignition, filtration, belts, hoses, brakes, etc. I would like
to know what all of you are using, and why you prefer "brand x" over the
competition. Quality, Value, Availability ? .... I am fairly loyal to the parts
manufacturers that I support, but I know there are alternatives.