Wix vs Napa Gold.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Wix vs Napa Gold.
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?
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?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
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From: Airdrie Alberta
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
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
Last edited by hwcoop; Sep 8, 2007 at 10:00 AM.
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From: Duvall, WA
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
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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$$holes, everyone has one, they all make noise and they all smell bad, sometimes even to the owner.
Go read the page. I will not make my opions known.
Remember all opionions are like a$$holes, everyone has one, they all make noise and they all smell bad, sometimes even to the owner.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
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.
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.
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
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.
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.
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From: Ridgefield Washington
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Connecticut
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Somerset, NJ
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.
There is none better that I know of.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
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?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Somerset, NJ
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?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
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?
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?
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.'
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
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.
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AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)