Fram Ultra with round holes like OG, but no wire back?

[SOHCman]

What is the consensus on these? Are these from a timeframe when they had moved to no wire backed media bus still had round holes during the changeover from OG? You can clearly see there is no wire backing thanks to the large round holes in the center tube. I have examples like this in both 7317 and 3614 that I have segregated from my stash of OGs.

Thanks!

 

[Brian123]

What is the consensus on these? Are these from a timeframe when they had moved to no wire backed media bus still had round holes during the changeover from OG? You can clearly see there is no wire backing thanks to the large round holes in the center tube. I have examples like this in both 7317 and 3614 that I have segregated from my stash of OGs.
View attachment 297146
Thanks!

How long will you be using this Oil Filter? The Wire back thing was from a few years ago, I am guessing that you do not visit the Oil Filter section often. Do you have a date code that you can show us?

I am sure the Z Guy will be posting soon.

 

[fantastic]

From poor leaf spring manufacturing process to no more wire backing it's clear after the Fram buyout things went south. There were examples of holes with no wire backing though so nothing new but seems to favor louvers.

 

[SOHCman]

How long will you be using this Oil Filter? The Wire back thing was from a few years ago, I am guessing that you do not visit the Oil Filter section often. Do you have a date code that you can show us?

I am sure the Z Guy will be posting soon.

Admittedly, I was lucky enough to stock up on some OGs awhile back and have not needed many more filters as a result... until adding an additional vehicle to my "fleet" which is when I caught wind of the unfortunate change to the OG filters after buying some of the louvered monstrosities.

Please allow me to get you a date code.

 

[Brian123]

Admittedly, I was lucky enough to stock up on some OGs awhile back and have not needed many more filters as a result... until adding an additional vehicle to my "fleet" which is when I caught wind of the unfortunate change to the OG filters after buying some of the louvered monstrosities.

Please allow me to get you a date code.

I have 2 of the old stock OG's on the shelf, and 1 on my car now. I am doing 5000-mile OCI's and leaving these awesome oil filters on for 20,000 miles. The new style which you showed is more than likely good for at least 10,000 miles. JMO
I would like to thank all of the Members who cut open the OGs!

 

[ZeeOSix]

What is the consensus on these? Are these from a timeframe when they had moved to no wire backed media bus still had round holes during the changeover from OG? You can clearly see there is no wire backing thanks to the large round holes in the center tube.

The OG Ultra went through design changes in stages. Like yours, at one point they were still being made with holes in the center tube but the wire backed media was gone as well as the leaf spring fiber sealing ring in the end cap.

Here's another example recently posted where the filter was made about 3 years ago per its date code.

B

Thread 'Fram ultra 11422miles Cut open'

Aug 22, 2025

This is not an OG wire backed but the new style cheap media.
Was run from 166000 to 177422 , 11422 total miles on my 2012 Honda Odyssey.
First OCI was RGT 0w20 in August 2024 and then a Kirkland 0w20 and Pennzoil PUP 0w30 frankenbrew in March 2025

Small amount of deposits in bottom of the can, forgot to get a pic,

Please spacing left something to be desired

No deposits on bypass valve unlike my last FU post.

Media surprisingly brittle, tore with medium pressure from my finger, no tools needed.

• Brybo86
• Replies: 21
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[SOHCman]

Here are the date codes on the a couple of the specimens in question.

Can I still trust these for at least 5-10K instead of 20k due to no wire back or are they no bueno? Did this generation have the cheapened media or is that just louvered? Thanks again!

 

[ZeeOSix]

Here are the date codes on the a couple of the specimens in question.

Can I still trust these for at least 5-10K instead of 20k due to no wire back or are they no bueno? Did this generation have the cheapened media or is that just louvered? Thanks again!

View attachment 297160View attachment 297161

Slot machine winner with the A11111 date code. You might check for wire backed media through the center tube as both of those were made about 1/3 into 2021 and still might be wire backed media.

 

[fantastic]

I suppose it all depends on what you're putting it on. Run one 5k cut, 8k cut, 10k cut open, then go from there in stages. Just know the leaf springs on these are potentially bypassing oil if they're ruffled enough.

 

[SOHCman]

Slot machine winner with the A11111 date code. You might check for wire backed media through the center tube as both of those were made about 1/3 into 2021 and still might be wire backed media.

I double checked my OG stash and seperated out about 10 filters that were either louvered or had holes but no wire back such as the two pictured in my post. These surprisingly have no wire back (as seen in my original post) if 2021 filters should have had it.

 

[SOHCman]

I suppose it all depends on what you're putting it on. Run one 5k cut, 8k cut, 10k cut open, then go from there in stages. Just know the leaf springs on these are potentially bypassing oil if they're ruffled enough.

That's what I'm worried about. Ruffles, etc., Not sure if I should run them short or try to exchange for a current EP fram or something "safer" than these non-OGs.

 

[fantastic]

That's what I'm worried about. Ruffles, etc., Not sure if I should run them short or try to exchange for a current EP fram or something "safer" than these non-OGs.

That's entirely your call.