Durango_Boy

So I stopped by the local Napa for a nice new Wix oil filter. I am changing out my rear main seal and am doing an oil change.

I ask for the correct Wix for my motor, and the girl gives me two options. The 'cheap' Wix filter, and the 'good' one. I ask the difference. She says the 'good' one is just made better. Hmm...Wix making two different filters?

I decide to try it, seeing as how it's only $4 more. The filter itself says Napa Gold on the front, which is fine because I know that Wix makes them, but I'm wondering if the extra money is for the Napa name or if there really is a difference between the 'cheap' Wix and the 'good' Napa Gold version.

Anyone have any inside information on current oil filter affairs?

hwcoop

I'm not sure specifically about the filters but I am finding that everytime I go to the auto parts store these days they give you the 3 options

1)Crap stuff that will fail in short order and not perform to OEM specs
(Warped china rotors) but we will sell it to you anyways for good money

2)Medium grade components (should be the cheap option) that will work but may have reduced performance (Squealing brake pads) for more money

3)Premium grade components that work the way they should out of the box, long service life, and for premium dollars

In my opinion they should not be selling crap, whats wrong with providing a quality product for a good price? and leave the inferior parts out of the picture

So for the filters I would go with the premium product

Bob Onit

I usually use a 2 quart filter. Twice the volume for filtering and when I buy oil, I buy 3 gallons at a time which works out nice for 2 oil changes.

rcread

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oil...udy.html#n1515

I'm Batman

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

rcread

Batman's a little slow today. Hopefully the Joker isn't up to anything.

VetteThunder1

Very good website with some (not too) surprizing information.

Go read the page. I will not make my opions known.

Remember all opionions are like a$$holes, everyone has one, they all make noise and they all smell bad, sometimes even to the owner.

Durango_Boy

He said he really didn't know if there was a difference between the Wix and the Napa Gold. I don't mind paying that extra few bucks just in case it really does offer some kind of advantage.

This motor is on borrowed time anyway. I plan on pulling it next fall when the new motor goes in, where it will use Amsoil oil and filter, with the GM zinc additive.

I'm Batman

Mobil 1 (expensive) and Purolator PurOne (not as expensive, but no one in Columbia sells them) are my favorite filters.

Durango_Boy

They had Mobil 1 filters at Autozone when I was there this morning.

Sharkboy

Where do you get a 2 quart oil filter? Are you running a dry sump with special plumbing?

Thanks,
Curt

Bob Onit

No dry sump or special anything.

I used to run Purolator's but the local parts store where I used to get them closed a couple of years ago so I went with K&N HP6002? (Pretty sure)

My new ZZ4 takes the AC PF-1218 long 2 quart but I dont know if it will cross to the earlier SBC.

Any good auto parts store will know what # you need.

ffas23

I have been in the Parts business now 30 years. I sell Purolater Products both the Purolator name brand and their garage brand Group 7. I have taken a hacksaw in the past to both of these filters brand new, same part number being held in a Vise. I could not tell the difference in the filter itself or how it was made any differently. Same amount of pleats of filter paper, same valve etc. Only thing different was the paint job on the outside of the filter. I use the Purolator garage filter Group 7 on all of my vehicles from my Street Rod to my 2 Vettes to my everyday cars,Suv's and delivery Vans. In all the years of being in the business I never ever had a problem with a Purolater Filter causing any problem with any vehicle. My customers swear by them. Don't forget since some of you probably don't know that Purolator is the inventor of the Oil Filter. The Purolator name ever since being introduced in the early 1900's always stood for (Pure Oil Later) Purolator. I would take a Purolator over any other brand of filter out there. I have sold them all from AC,Motorcraft, Fram, Wix, Hastings etc.
There is none better that I know of.

fugawi

i think napa gold filters are made by wix. check on the box they come in..

Durango_Boy

Oh I understand that Wix does make the Napa Gold, but for more money I want to know they made it BETTER for Napa. Is the extra money for just the Napa name or did they really improve their Wix filter for the new Napa Gold name?

ffas23

I would bet it is probably the same. One way to find out. Take a hacksaw to both of them and see for yourself.

I find it very hard that these oil filter manufacturers are going to stop the line of filters being made to change a few things inside of them. Doesn't seem cost effective. Sometimes companys will sell you the same product at different prices boxed differently but all the same maybe with a different color or sticker. I wouldn't put it past NAPA to do the same if they could make more money by calling the same product NAPA GOLD. I mean how many people are going to spend the money to destroy a filter to actually see the inside of it as I did when you really think about it?

Durango_Boy

That's kind of what I was thinking and maybe one day I will go drop $10 on a Wix and a Napa Gold and cut them open. The girl that sold it to me though, specifically said the Gold was 'better.'

ratflinger

Mobil1 or Amsoil filters. Don't bother with the rest unless 'OK' is good enough.

Durango_Boy

That's what I was saying up above a few posts, that this motor is just temporary until my LT1-405 goes in next fall. I think an 'ok' oil filter is just fine until then. When that new motor goes in it will get only Amsoil oil filters and oil.

C66 Racing

FYI, if you aren't already aware of it, the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program will be very cost effective for you if you start using AMSOIL oil and filters regularly.