Fram TG6607 differences?

[jackson83]

So now that I finally cut my oil filter of course it is the one that increases my paranoia of filter quality,

Long story short I have a few left over TG6607s and 2 currently on vehicles. I cut my first used filter today and noticed something was off.

Last I checked I was pretty sure Fram TG6607 ( Im aware that different models have different builds but this for this one specifically) had metal cores and the base orange had the nylon core unless something changed which felt suspicious.

So I pulled another unused one and it does indeed have a metal core which begs the question why such a difference to begin with.. I mean not that it matters anymore considering but still feels like a pretty significant build change that should've been noted somewhere. Interesting enough the older 2017 date (not manufacturing but at least its some sort of an indicator when copyright year was updated) has a metal core while 2019 seems to have downgraded.

 

[jackson83]

Incase the question comes up, these were bought in late 2024-early 2025 at walmart before all the shenanigans so Id like to think theyre relative newish and not a random decade old filter that was sitting in my garage considering walmarts volume of its inventory movement.

 

[DannyM]

Incase the question comes up, these were bought in late 2024-early 2025 at walmart before all the shenanigans so Id like to think theyre relative newish and not a random decade old filter that was sitting in my garage considering walmarts volume of its inventory movement.

First Brands had been flipping production around on some Fram filters for a while before they went under so you would see either your E-Core or the metal core build at random on at least the Extra and Tough Guard and not sure about the others.

 

[fantastic]

Thanks for the cut. The first pictures were the latest build style before they closed down.

 

[Hootbro]

Regardless, still better constructed than the fiber end cap that legacy TG filters use to come with. Only niggle would be to the Ruffles Potato Chips bypass spring clip brigade that would poo poo it.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Yep, the construction with the eCore nylon center tube and metal end caps was built by Champion Labs. Think there were even some orange can EGs built that way before the ship sunk.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Incase the question comes up, these were bought in late 2024-early 2025 at walmart before all the shenanigans so Id like to think theyre relative newish and not a random decade old filter that was sitting in my garage considering walmarts volume of its inventory movement.

What are the date codes stamped on the side of the cans?

 

[Zee09]

K&N got the Ecore too

 

[ZeeOSix]

I mean not that it matters anymore considering but still feels like a pretty significant build change that should've been noted somewhere.

I was seen here in various filter cut opens posted by members.

 

[jackson83]

What are the date codes stamped on the side of the cans?

Threw out the old can but the unused one with the 2017 copyright date has A42163

 

[jackson83]

I was seen here in various filter cut opens posted by members.

Ideally on the company side i was referring to. Ive been buying these the last 5yrs religiously and always were the same until this but i mean considering frams situation its a pointless critique to make anymore. Yet the questionable bulk Purolator tech filters I ordered on amazon at least show the inner diagram of what to expect and have a metal core everytime for now at leastfor this filter (with circular holes thanks to random chinese factory rather than the ruffles. )

At least now im just burning through the Purolator tech supply next until fully converting to premium guard.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Ideally on the company side i was referring to. Ive been buying these the last 5yrs religiously and always were the same until this but i mean considering frams situation its a pointless critique to make anymore. Yet the questionable bulk Purolator tech filters I ordered on amazon at least show the inner diagram of what to expect and have a metal core everytime (with circular holes thanks to random chinese factory rather than the ruffles. )

Oil filters can and do change all the time. We've even seen PGI filters suddenly change in configuration to some degree lately. Fram and Champion Labs was doing changes after First Brands bought them and the again during the First Brands downfall into bankruptcy. Many filters changed during the pandemic due to various reasons. People who read this forum know how dynamic oil filters are, like watching someone play Whack-A-Mole.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Threw out the old can but the unused one with the 2017 copyright date has A42163

Made the 216th day of 2024. Surprised the copyright date is that old on a filter made in 2024.