A tale of two Fram PH7317s

[jtr990]

It's been a long time since I last dissected an oil filter. But nevertheless, here are two Fram PH7317s from two different Hondas, a Civic with a 1.5L Turbo and a CR-V with 2.4L NA. But it's not the mileage I'm interested in nor the oil they used. Looking at them now, they're constructed differently. Let me show you a series of photos to give you a general idea on what's inside.

Here's the top view:

Here's the bottom view with the baseplates already cut with an exhaust pipe cutter (sorry for switching filters around since I came back from a Canada Day off):

Here are the two filters completely disassembled, including their bypass valves. On your left, the PH7317 built by Champion Labs. On your right, the PH7317 built by Fram itself:

Here are two photos of the Fram-made filter element and its core:

Here are two photos of the Champion Labs-built filter element and its core:

And, finally, here are the baseplates and their anti-drainback valves on the top and the bottom. Once again, on your left is the Champion Labs-made PH7317. And on your right is the Fram-made PH7317.

Seeing those filters now, I'll admit, I was curious since the last time I dissected a Service Champ OF4622. And after seeing the filters now, let me know what you think.

 

[fantastic]

Give me the non silicon ADBV, cage, more inlet holes, & metal end caps from the Champ. Great comparison. Nice work.

 

[ZeeOSix]

What's the date codes on these filters?

 

[jtr990]

What's the date codes on these filters?

When I dissected them, I haven't paid attention to the date codes on them. They were packaged in the box prior to their oil changes.

 

[BrendanC]

all for the PH# filters to move to a champ E-core with metal end caps. i hate the fiber end cap’s.

IMO, Fram PH should be basic champ.
TG should be champ XL with silicone ADBV.
XG and Titanium should be what they were or gone all together.
Endurance should move to an E core version of itself (like some of the RP filters have shown).

 

[Mewbs]

I saw some Ecore Orange Cans a few months ago in my last visit at Walmart. Its usually the smaller filters such as the 4967 and 7317 that have the change. No signs of the bigger orange filters moving to Ecore.

 

[bullwinkle]

Looks like they should change the name to "Framp"! So much for the "superior design" of the fiber end caps (I was never convinced either).

 

[SC Maintenance]

Looks like they should change the name to "Framp"! So much for the "superior design" of the fiber end caps (I was never convinced either).

LOL. Yes that is kind of funny right, all the fiber end caps are great videos.

I have no real issues with the fiber end cap. Some filters have no end cap.

 

[SC Maintenance]

When I dissected them, I haven't paid attention to the date codes on them. They were packaged in the box prior to their oil changes.

Do you still have them. It should be printed on the outside of the can itself - usually sideways near the Fram logo - something like A30213 for example.

 

[Sayjac]

One on the left made by Champ Labs, one on the right classic Fram orange can. Some Champ made Fram been seen before here in some previous anecdotes. FB calling the shots on what will be seen and when. Fwiw, I prefer the baseplate internal thread boss design on the Champ made. Champ orange can very similar to or same as Super Tech ST filters.

Thanks for c&p.

 

[jtr990]

Do you still have them. It should be printed on the outside of the can itself - usually sideways near the Fram logo - something like A30213 for example.

Good thing I found them. On the left, the Champion Labs-built PH7317 used a laser etch on its date code marked "A30031." On the right, the Fram-built PH7317 used a paint stamp on its date code marked "A30902." It is hard to see the laser etching, but it is there.

 

[jtr990]

What's the date codes on these filters?

I found the date codes on the dissected filters. It should be on Post #11.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Good thing I found them. On the left, the Champion Labs-built PH7317 used a laser etch on its date code marked "A30031." On the right, the Fram-built PH7317 used a paint stamp on its date code marked "A30902." It is hard to see the laser etching, but it is there.

Both were build close to each other.
A30031 = 3rd day of 2023
A30902 = 90th day of 2023

 

[SC Maintenance]

Thats interesting - we saw some Champ build style PH7317's in walmart early this year - @Bellavita might remember the date codes but pretty sure they were early 2024. Seems like there going back and forth on the build?

Whats interesting as well - the Orange can was always rated at 95% at 20um, and champ was 99% at 30 um? Would that be about the same media. Seems like quite a bit of a spread based on some curves published here years ago.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Thats interesting - we saw some Champ build style PH7317's in walmart early this year - @Bellavita might remember the date codes but pretty sure they were early 2024. Seems like there going back and forth on the build?

Since those two examples were built relatively close to each other, maybe it was a temporary "supply chain shortage" thing going on and the Champ version was made to keep up with demand.

Whats interesting as well - the Orange can was always rated at 95% at 20um, and champ was 99% at 30 um? Would that be about the same media. Seems like quite a bit of a spread based on some curves published here years ago.

Could be the Fram media was being used in the Champ built filters.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Since those two examples were built relatively close to each other, maybe it was a temporary "supply chain shortage" thing going on and the Champ version was made to keep up with demand.

But it seems they have gone back and forth and back and forth was my point, if they were also making them the Champ way earlier this year - meaning they don't care what spec they follow. You and I have had that discussion before so I will leave it at that. I would still use either if you mail me one

 

[ZeeOSix]

But it seems they have gone back and forth and back and forth was my point, if they were also making them the Champ way earlier this year - meaning they don't care what spec they follow. You and I have had that discussion before so I will leave it at that. I would still use either if you mail me one

They could go back and forth based on keeping the production going at a steady pace, for whatever reason.

 

[THORROMIG]

Nice work, would not worry about who was building them based on those pictures for a 5K run.

 

[bullwinkle]

They have been flip-flopping-I bought 2 new looking Fram Drive FD10060s today from AAP that are both Ecore, nitrile ADBV construction with no “beauty” or locating plate on the baseplate. Both are date code 24173EN, in the Champ format. Guessing 173rd day of 2024.