Fram oil filters are, shall we say, subpar. How are their air filters?
Fram?
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Ive used fram air filters for over 16 years and never had a problem. If you can get their Toughguard air filter go for that.
Like the oil filters, they use far less pleats, and therefore have far less surface area, than many other air filters. After replacing an AC Delco filter with a Fram once and comparing them side by side, I don't think I'll be buying Fram again.
The Fram TG has 20+ more pleats than the Pureone air filter, for my tuck at least and its 3 dollars less.
I'll have to take a look at those Toughguards next time!
Excellent filters and every one of my UOAs had low single digit numbers for many miles.
This is in MANY different stock airboxes so they work well.
Take care, bill
This is in MANY different stock airboxes so they work well.
Take care, bill
The Fram Tough Guard and the 'standard' Fram air filter for my '04 Silverado both have 66 pleats. Compared side by side, the Tough Guard didn't look all that much different. It didn't look all that "tough" and I was less than impressed.
When I get home, I am going to count the pleats in:
1) The AC Delco filter that it rolled off the assembly line with.
2) The NAPA Gold (Wix) that I just installed last week. (It was chock full of pleats with loads of surface area).
When I get home, I am going to count the pleats in:
1) The AC Delco filter that it rolled off the assembly line with.
2) The NAPA Gold (Wix) that I just installed last week. (It was chock full of pleats with loads of surface area).
The Fram TG has a coating of oil which is supposed to attract and retain smaller particles. To me it does seem to help compared to a regular fram. When I change the TG out I notice I have more crud on the filter than I do with the unoiled ones. I like them and will continue to use them, but the name Fram scares folks away.
The TG also has a metal grill and a line of glue along the pleats that makes it firm. I dont really care about that but, i do feel the oil helps some.
The TG also has a metal grill and a line of glue along the pleats that makes it firm. I dont really care about that but, i do feel the oil helps some.
Counting pleats means nothing.
What they use for media and even more important is the PERFORMANCE of the filter.
Having si on the UOA in the low single digits is the bottom line.
Take care, bill
What they use for media and even more important is the PERFORMANCE of the filter.
Having si on the UOA in the low single digits is the bottom line.
Take care, bill
Quote:
Counting pleats means nothing.
What they use for media and even more important is the PERFORMANCE of the filter.
Having si on the UOA in the low single digits is the bottom line.
Take care, bill
Ture. I just use the one that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside and it happens to be the TG. The P1 is a close second. I like the oiled filters because they do seem to pick up extra junk. The TG is only a dollar more than the vanilla version so I get that.
Much like oil filters, I wish companies had to list test results on the box.
So, does counting pleats means nothing when your favorite filter has the fewest pleats? Could this be?
When the choice is between a Fram, or a Wix/NAPA for 80 cents more, the choice is clear.
For my Silverado, there are so few pleats on the Fram, and they are so thin, that they run 3 strips of glue across the face of the filter to keep them evenly spaced and in place. Nothing like 'ol Fram to cut the corners. Is their media so good, that they will scrimp like this?
No thanks. Nothing that I see suggest that the air filters are much different than their oil filters.
When the choice is between a Fram, or a Wix/NAPA for 80 cents more, the choice is clear.
For my Silverado, there are so few pleats on the Fram, and they are so thin, that they run 3 strips of glue across the face of the filter to keep them evenly spaced and in place. Nothing like 'ol Fram to cut the corners. Is their media so good, that they will scrimp like this?
No thanks. Nothing that I see suggest that the air filters are much different than their oil filters.
Then dont buy fram. Use what you like.
Fram / Fram TG 8755A- 66 thin loose (and wavy) pleats, with 3 strips of glue added to try and hold them in place.
AC Delco A1518C - 101 thin pleats.
NAPA Gold / Wix 2488- 76 thick pleats.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Once again, with a Fram, don't expect much when it comes to quality.
AC Delco A1518C - 101 thin pleats.
NAPA Gold / Wix 2488- 76 thick pleats.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Once again, with a Fram, don't expect much when it comes to quality.
STP also uses strips of glue on some of their air filters.
Quote:
So, does counting pleats means nothing when your favorite filter has the fewest pleats? Could this be?
When the choice is between a Fram, or a Wix/NAPA for 80 cents more, the choice is clear.
For my Silverado, there are so few pleats on the Fram, and they are so thin, that they run 3 strips of glue across the face of the filter to keep them evenly spaced and in place. Nothing like 'ol Fram to cut the corners. Is their media so good, that they will scrimp like this?
No thanks. Nothing that I see suggest that the air filters are much different than their oil filters.
Nevermind, your not reading what I'm saying so any more is useless.
I've done many UOAs with my Silverado and have FACTS. I know what works and have never counted a pleat...
Take care, Bill
There are three ways to improve flow through a filter: bigger holes, more consistent media, and more surface area. Bigger holes are undesirable so that leaves two. Solid technical information on filters is not easy to find. I can hold a K&N up to the light to confirm that I don't want to use that, but most paper media looks like it would do the job. So pleat count and general quality "feel" of the rubber, paper, and construction is all I have to go from. A Fram certainly isn't going to hurt anything, but if I can get more pleats for the money I will!
If it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling, or helps you sleep better at night then by all means use whatever. Thats why I use the stuff I do. If all else was equal or near equal, Id also go with the more pleats just because. However, for me, it happens to be the fram TG plus I like the construction, cost, and convince of the TG to just about everything else even the mighty P1.
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