Thread: Fram oil filters - crap or not??

I really hate to start this debate, but was recently discussing on a forum for the last car (gt ford probe) - I know, I know, the only car with a crappier trans than the 4l65e.

Anyway, for all 13 yrs I had that car, everyone ragged on the fram filters. Crappy anti drain back valve, crappy construction, etc. For the entire time I abused the hell out of that car (also 13 yrs), I used dealer filters and the engine was perfect when I sold it a couple months ago.

I sort of forgot about this when I got the GP (base) and I am curious if you guys have the same thoughts. I've used the fram synthetic filter on the GP. Are they really that bad? If yes, recommendations? I get the impression that most of you people are just as crazy about maintenance as I am

I should add that 10 transmissions in 13 years is stupid! Even with mild abuse, I hope like he77 that the GP does better! It is a boat compared to what I am used to, but so far ... I love the car!

It's better to use a dirty WIX filter than to use a new FRAM.

crap, i perfer royal purple oil filter, oil, transmission fluid

I have used Fram for years, and never had any issues. But I also change my oil every 3K.

and to think my work sells filters that are WORSE than the ****tiest fram

At WalMart, they sell Fram and AC Delco at about the same price. I don't see anything wrong with using a factory filter.

Thanks for the just about unanamous response! I think I got fooled by the decent looking anti drain back valve.

I'll checkout Walmart in Canada to see if they sell the Delcos

In my experience people don't like Fram filters because their friends told them to not like them. I thought the Delcos looked better (and I find them easy to trust), but I don't really know anything about filters. I have read that Fram used to suck bad, have changed, and their reputation hasn't recovered, but I don't know what the truth is to that either.

Originally Posted by cerick08GP

That’s because they are the same filter.... Someone correct me if I’m mistaken. Seriously.

Well, they look different from the outside. I would assume a different designs on the inside. Scimmia says Delcos are likely Champion E-Cores.

Originally Posted by cerick08GP

That’s because they are the same filter. I just have to say that in the past when GM actually made the AC Delco filters they were good. Now they are farmed out and IIRC they use the exact same Encore design as FRAM now. Hence AC Delco’s are just as bad as FRAM today. Someone correct me if I’m mistaken. Seriously.

I have had FRAMs that the anti-drain back totally failed; I don’t trust their quality anymore. My personal favorite filter, for my money, is the PureONE.

When you say the anti-drain back valve failed, can you explain how you came to that conclusion? I would really like to know. AC Delco and Fram?
They are not the same filter. Champion labs makes the AC delco filter. You really do not know what your talking about if you think the E core filter is no good. Do you really think GM would take on the warranty risk of millions of engines because of a substandard filter? Be serious dude. You or anyone else on the internet cannot tell anything about filter efficiency or capacity by cutting a filter open plain and simple. We get letters every day from loyal Fram users with extremely high miles on vehicles that still run fine.