Wix/Napa oil filter

[The Champ]

I heard Fram is a good deal

Post of the day....

 

[biker]

Post of the day....

Yes. I was expecting more out of that one!

 

[biker]

As promised, I cut the Fram filter open today.
Cardboard ends? Yes. But, solidly glued, no gaps anywhere, no degradation.
36 pleats in filter.
Rubber anti-drainback valve.(I know...filter wa just used for priming and running engine to dial it in again). Flat steel end spring that keeps the filter tight in the can.
Outer can: .0110 thickness.
Overall, nothing leaping out as horrible.
Will do a similar autopsy on my Wix/Napa filter when the time comes.
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S

As promised (again) I just cut open the Wix/Napa Gold oil filter, and here is what I found:
Real coil spring on top of filter media. Fram had a weaker, flat spring. Probably means the Fram would bypass at a lower oil pressure.
Wix/Napa had .130 can metal thickness vs. Fram .110.
Wix/Napa had 58 pleats in the filter media vs 36 for the Fram.
Wix/Napa filter has solid steel end caps that are superbly bonded to the filter media. So much so that I could not pull them apart by hand, unlike the Fram.
My opinion? Fram is a good filter that is made as cheaply as possible to get the job done.
Wix/Napa is better made with better materials and more filtering media.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

As promised (again) I just cut open the Wix/Napa Gold oil filter, and here is what I found:
Real coil spring on top of filter media. Fram had a weaker, flat spring. Probably means the Fram would bypass at a lower oil pressure.
Wix/Napa had .130 can metal thickness vs. Fram .110.
Wix/Napa had 58 pleats in the filter media vs 36 for the Fram.
Wix/Napa filter has solid steel end caps that are superbly bonded to the filter media. So much so that I could not pull them apart by hand, unlike the Fram.
My opinion? Fram is a good filter that is made as cheaply as possible to get the job done.
Wix/Napa is better made with better materials and more filtering media.

We had to stop using the Wix Wl10255 filters on the new Tahoe. The top seam wasn't sealed well and would open up 15-20 miles after the service and dump all the oil. We switched to Delco for now. Wix is not what they used to be

 

[Lowend]

I'm wondering how many companies actually manufacture filters these days. I'm sure all of the big companies supply each other with at least some applications
Mann-Hummel owns Wix, whose budget line is Microguard
PG Filters makes the OEM filters for Hyundai/Kia along with a good chunk of the "STP" brand for Autozone - we tend to use these with fleet clients.
Nippon-Denso makes filters - their quality seems pretty good.
Hastings - I mostly see for Med/Heavy Duty applications same with Donaldson

 

[sandlapper]

Not unlike Donaldson, and not on most shelves (or minds); Baldwin still makes a good oil filter.

 

[Chevyforever]

I used to sell Kralinator and Luber Finer filters many years ago ...

 

[Bandit723]

I use Baldwin. And no i did not read the whole thread.

 

[biker]

So far the Wix and Napa filters that I've been using still say made in U.S.A., and all look the same inside when I cut them open. If that changes, I will try to find Baldwin in Canada.

 

[sandlapper]

Seems like Canada's needs might (eventually) justify a Canadian WIX plant?