Why would they do this, why?

[Anand]

i have used FRAM on my SR for the past 5 years.

yes, you read it right.. 5 years of daily driving and numerous monthly drift evets and its still strong as hell

I even sucked water int o the engine and it is still going.

so I dont think FRAM is that bad of a filter...

[themadscientist]

Not Another Fram filter argument....

I always buy whatever filter is the cheapest I can find.

would you buy the cheapest blood filter you could if you were a diabetic?

I actually have had 1 oil filter fail on my in my lifetime and it was one of those super expensive Mobil 1 filters.

How did it fail? I can tell you when I used fram the oil was ditier than with OEM equivalent and they would keep unscrewing on the 4A even when i put them on with a filter wrench. Hand tight OEM equivalent, hand tight, never backed off by itself

Ive read seen the posts online about how the filters dont filter as well and I really could care less. Im not sure if everyone knows but Fram is a subsidiary of honeywell, the same honeywell that Garret turbos is part of.

So you don't care if your filter filters? Just gut a fram and let the oil run through the empty case; you will save all kinds of money right? The parent company is irrelavent, the product sold is what does. Chevy makes the Corvette, they also made the Corvair; does one have anything to do with the other?

In anycase whether it be Fram, Wix, OEM Nissan, OEM Honda, OEM Mazda, STP, Bosch, Napa, Mobil 1, K&N whatever, the chances that your engine will fail because of the oil filter is slim to none. Id say your chances of an engine failing due to lack of maintenance is waaaay higher than having an oil filter failing and causing your motor to die.

Filter popping off, inability to filter, shoddy construction etc will lead to premature engine damage and death People who cheese out on something as simple as a quality filter and oil are inclined to cut corners elsewhere, thier cars are sad and hate them.

[notslow]

holy fram hate Batman. I have used a fram on all my vehicles and have never had any troubles. I am currently running it on my sr.

some punks here should refrain from making generalizations about others based solely on the oil filter they buy.

[op.tic]

Can anyone tell what big is going on in this engine bay? (aside from the interesting color scheme)

looks like they just jammed that greddy catch can (probably ebay knock off) between the BMC and the turbo. the time saved by not fabbing a bracket, they could use finding a better oil filter.

[boriquaS13]

I don't see a greddy catch can by the bmc and the turbo that looks like a heat sheild for the bmc.

[chicos240]

I have a FRAM, so suck me. I love it. It's better than my Greddy oil filter that I used and developed ticking lifters with.

hahahaha sike b1tches Fram FTMFL!!!!!!1

tricky...tricky

[chicos240]

holy fram hate Batman. I have used a fram on all my vehicles and have never had any troubles. I am currently running it on my sr.

some punks here should refrain from making generalizations about others based solely on the oil filter they buy.

I agree, where is the data to back all this talk up?

[E7-S14]

*sigh*...

you cant see me.. cuz im invisibibilybei... whooohhaha.FRAM FTMFW!!!!!!!!!.

[Alfador]

I agree, where is the data to back all this talk up?

When you own a 10+ year old car, you have to rely on some word of mouth and anecdotal information. By and large the Nico community is right when it comes to matters like this. In any case, you don't need stats OR the Nico community to back this one up for that matter. When you're done with the one in your car now (obviously you have one or you wouldn't give a crap), cut it open cross-section. Its basically an empty can inside another bigger empty can, no real filtering material to speak of. And before anyone says it, the piece of crimped cardboard in there doesn't count.

[KDashy]

When I was in college, the shop teacher had a fram and an ac delco filter both cut open for display.

the fram had a much smaller filter element w/ less pleats,and not as consistently spaced.

Also this.

[duffman1278]

Damn this is some usful information. Sadly I use fram but I will be switching out ASAP. Man I'm such a sucker lol

[themadscientist]

Damn this is some usful information. Sadly I use fram but I will be switching out ASAP. Man I'm such a sucker lol

want to buy some land?

[Anand]

want to buy some land?

where?????

is it near water???

how much???

[gumby74]

Not this crap again.Is there any way to ban oil and filter threads?

Also, in regards to the Honda/Fram filter comparison, if you look further into it you will find that Honda US filters are manufactured by none other than Fram. Google or check into any of the larger Honda/Acura forums.Next, not all Fram filters are the same. The Tough Gaurd is the good one. You can referance the oil filter study by the Knize family.Also filter quality is subjective and not across the board. What is great for one application may only be good on another. The WIX filters for the 240sx does leak from the drainback valve. However Caterpillar recomends Wix for their engines so that is what I use on my Peterbilts.And finally, call the fine folks at Blackstone labs and purchase a few of their oil survey kits. Choose whatever filters you prefer and send in the oil sample. You will receive an analysis in roughly a weeks time. It used to cost about $18. That was a few years ago. I can get roughly 8000 miles of service out of an oil change using Castrol 10w 30 conventional, but I still change my oil every 2 months. I did this process for a year, 6 oil changes total using Purolator and the Fram Tough Guard filters. Both performed roughly the same with the Purolator coming in a couple hundred miles shy of the Fram in oil life.Lastly, I have yet to have an oil filter from any manufacturer back up on me. And no, I doubt I would still have my oil survey results. I did not think at the time my findings would be up for public scrutiny. That and I could care less what other people think or use for that matter.Stop being sheep.

[gumby74]

I just did a quick check and the oil analysis is now $22.50.Keep in mind Blackstone is not the only company offering these analysis, Unfortunately some charge for the sample kit, but reduce the cost for the service once the sample is received.

[Chukidori]

This thread FTW.

When i got my new engine i noticed it already had a fram on it and i said OMFG!!!!!.

I went and got my Digi Cam and sent an engine bay pic to a friend of mine and did the exact same thing "Whats wrong with this picture" and he spotted it immedietely ^_^

Now i rock an O.E.M nissan filter

[Uberck]

i have a nissan filter

[Logan76]

I use Bosch, I wish I could find a WIX filter for my CA, because they are by far the best filters around, all the local dirt track racers and drag racers use them here.

[Coolwhip]

no one commented on the fake stainless hose slip overs? fake hose ends?

Anyways, you guys would have a heart attack if I can find this one picture concerning the use of a FRAM filter...the search is on.

[gumby74]

I think I am familiar with the photo of which you speak. Proves nothing. Makes a bold statement on chat rooms and forums, but proves nothing. Why do I say that?

Back when I was autocrossing, hell even now that I spend most of my time wheeling and offroading I have seen more than one filter from more than one manufacturer in different states of fail. Even the coveted Wix.

I have seen Apexi exhausts with rust holes and broken welds, Garret turbos with bad bearings and dissapearing wheels and blades. I have seen Volk wheels bend, and SR20's spin bearings. I have seen a Toyota Corolla broke down on the side of the road. I have seen a space shuttle explode. Nothing is free from flaws. Especially when dealing with mass production.If you tell me one filter out of 80 million produced is bad, I will roll the dice on the few hundred filters I will go through in my life time.I did my research and run satisfied with my selection. Its my money to spend.

[Coolwhip]

maybe i worded my post incorrectly.

I have nothing against filter A or filter B... I could care less.

The picture is however of a "personal" ferrari engine showroom with a couple motors all with FRAM filters on them.

Does it prove anything? Well, I agree with you, it proves nothing. But it ran along the lines of people b****ing about those filters and guess I would throw it into the mix.

:P anyways, like gumby said, its your money.

[homeslicej2]

Wow! I stirred up a hornet's nest here. Anyway, to each their own but I think (from both personal use and the research that I've conducted) that FRAM is not a good oil filter. I don't use them anymore, if you do, more power to you. WIX seems to be among the best I've ever encountered, as many racers and custom car builders I know only use them, but none of them use FRAM. I think years of racing and building experience has some say about what is good and what is not. That's how good manufacturers test their products, they put them through their paces to see if it works and how to make it better. WIX filters are hard to find where I live so I run Purolator Pure One. Btw, they did put the cheapest FRAM on there too, not even a tough guard.

[ishkabibble]

When you own a 10+ year old car, you have to rely on some word of mouth and anecdotal information. By and large the Nico community is right when it comes to matters like this.

"Fram sucks!""Why?""Because everyone says it does!"

Sorry, just doesn't cut it for some of us. Inquiring minds want to know...

[homeslicej2]

^ I'm glad you cited that one website. It is one of many that I've used to research this. I didn't feel like searching for info to post, but I'm glad you did . Next time I will, even though I thought the general consensus was that FRAM has proven itself as a not so great brand.

[XTCshri2222]

Filtration wise, Mobil1 filters are topnotch, followed 2nd by K&N separated by 1.2% but both off 90% filteration, then gose the Pureone. Fram sucks they use them at walmart all thats gotta be said to their qulity.

[Dattebayo]

I was going to say wrong motor. (should have been a CA18 )

But whats with the T in the brake booster line? I don't get it...

[R6_240sx]

I had a defective Fram oil filter before. It was clogged, resulting in no oil pressure and knocking. I had to take that b*tch off, blow on it and smack it around some to unclog it.

I would tell the rest of the story to why it was so bad, but yeah. Oil on lips and car f*ckin up is not pimpin.

Fram is a c*** blocker.

[Chaotic_Warlord]

And here I thought Fram was a good company since I generally use the logic of "what's good enough to be a sponsor of NASCAR (which means they have to use them on their cars) is good enough for me" While I'm not a NASCAR fan since I don't see the point in driving in a circle for 4 hours a sport or challenge (here comes the NASCAR fans to flame me) I do think that a racing organization that has been around for as long as it has wouldn't have a company sponsor any of their cars or teams that wouldn't be of top quality. Hell that would be like Formula D or the IHRA allowing some knock off ebay company to sponsor their stuff, it's stupid and just asking for a lawsuit or 500.

I've always used fram and have never had an issue, it's personal preference for 2 reasons: 1) price, I'm poor and can't afford a $50 dollar Greddy oil filter and 2) availability, I've never seen a WIX oil filter at my local autozone which is where I buy my maintance stuff. (Eff Pep Boys, Manny Moe and Jack go F each other as far as I'm concerned)

But now that I've seen this thread, I will be sure that come my next oil change, which will be in another 500 miles, I'll be sure to do some homework and get a better filter.

[SHIFT_240sx]

^^WIX is sold at O'Reilly's

[ishkabibble]

Here's another informative page about oil filters:

http://mymiata.paladinmicro.com/MiataOFilters.htm