tlong72

Fram vs K&N… Which Oil filter and why?

So it’s time to change the oil. I have read some post here that say use anything but FRAM. Which oil filters do you guys use and why… I would like some hard technical facts, nothing about price or brand loyalty. Which product is better for my car?

corvettebob1

I use the the factory AC filter, it's the only one that has been tested by GM.

ssdeuce

K&N made in USA not Mexico like AC and Fram. Also it's a better filter. I’ve seen threads here that give charts and numbers on the different filters seems like the K&N, AMSoil, Mobil and Wix were the better ones.

PETE O.

They're both okay. I've heard the nut on the K&N could cause ground clearance problems? (maybe on a lowered car?) I haven't used one on the vette but I use them on the Harleys. Fram's been around for many, many years and I do use them on my DDs. I use a Mobil1 filter on the vette. No particular reason behind this. As often as I change my oil it's probably moot. NAPA makes a very good filter, too. I guess it's six of one and a half dozen of the other, huh....... ACDelco used to be one of the best. I honestly think that if you change your oil with regularity it really won't matter much. Fram makes extended service filters if you're running to 5,000+ miles on a change

AU N EGL

Both are just OK. the AC Delco is better then both

or the WIX filters ( NAPA Branded) are very good

aaavette

I have used the Amsoil filter for many years, with great sucess, in my DD's and vettes. You might check out this link for add'l. info.
https://www.amsoil.com/lit/databulletins/g2192.pdf

rkink

K&N, Mobil-1, AFE (if you can find them) and Royal Purple (new at Pep Boys) filters all have a steel shell, baseplate, and internal core that is much thicker than the competition. They also have a silicone rubber anti-drainback valve that will perform for the life of the filter (non-silicone ones don't always do that). Burst pressure on these filters is near 500psi while conventional filters are in the 200 to 300 psi range. If you want a little extra insurance and like having the best on your car, go for one of these. The AC Ultraguard and the Royal Purple have glass/polyester media that provides high capacity dirt holding capability, good flow, and high efficiency filtration. Other filters run either a combination of paper/polyester blend or just paper. Amsoil is on par with the top tier filters in filtering performance. Standard AC filters are good and believe it or not, the Super Tech at Wmart is actually pretty good in terms of filtering performance for the dollar. Fram makes some top tier filters too, better than the standard offering. I have a Royal Purple on mine.

MyOwn69

You might want to read this:

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/index.html

ssdeuce

That's what I was looking for.

jrprich

WIX only for me

Dave68

The K&N has been proven to be one of, if not the best filter out there. It is both a freer-flowing and excellent-filtering filter when compared to most others. Source: bobistheoilguy

Patman

K&Ns are much better built filters than the Fram, the Fram is not even in the same league.

Oldvetter

I use WIX or NAPA Gold (same filter).

dobewillie

ac delco

Daniagm

AC or HASTINGS for me

Rick Perkins

I use the Mobil 1 oil and filter combo. Mainly because the car had 240k miles on it before I put in a new engine and it always had M1 oil. If the oil performed that well the filter couldn't be all bad. KN and Mobil One are made by the same company I belive.

RonJ

People like to beat up on FRAM because someone one day opened up a FRAM with a hacksaw and said they were an inferior filter. Everybody jumped on the bandwagon by taking this as gospel.

One line I hear is that they use "cardboard" end plates on the filtering cartridge. So what? Any of the experts providing evidence where these have failed or come apart? I've never seen any evidence posted anywhere.

Oil filter by-pass valve? A Chev doesn't need one, the valve is built into the filter mount and is part of the engine assembly.

Check valve? Doesn't need one because the filter is mounted upright so they can't drain empty when shut-off. If you change your own filter, you know the canister and gallery above it is full of oil!! Take the check valve right out, the canister will still be full of oil in the morning. FRAM makes for a noisey engine when starting cold? Gimme a break, the canister is full and the by-pass valve in the block should be partially opened when you start a cold engine.

Some people think they are showing their expertise or "knowledge" by slamming FRAM. What a crock!!!

I've used mostly FRAM since I entered the automotive trade in 1961 (yeah, an old fart having a rant) and I may have seen a few oil filter's that leaked or even blew apart because the oil pump pressure relief valve had stuck in the closed position.

Anyways, that's enough for my rant to-day, good chance I'll get an earful on this .... LOL!!!

RonJ ...

Jim2003

Depends on which car.
My 68 Camaro has had Frams for 41 years and 207K, and that 327 is still a smooth running engine. I know cause I am the only owner.
My vette gets AC Delco Filters
My wifes Lexus gets the Lesux filter, cause it is a special new type HA HA it is like the old type element that you took out and cleaned and put back in.
My Ford Ranger I use what is on sale when I need to change oil.

By the way, I do not believe Fram is a bad filter. I have used them for too many years and never seen one fail.

RTUMARK

Try Baldwin filters.

(Lucy)

Amsoil For me!!