How would you rank these filters?

[SS1970chrysler]

I've been looking in this sub-forum a bit lately and have a bit of confusion in regards to what is good and what is not. To better help myself in future purchases I've assembled a list of filters(old stock and new) that I have for use on my Fords and Chryslers. One gets high highway miles, the rest get less than 1K annually. Not looking for flame-wars or trolling, just how would you rank these:
Pronto PO1A
Motorcraft FL1A
Pennzoil PZ1
FRAM Wear Guard(1970's vintage) PH8A
FRAM Wear Guard(1980's vintage) PH8A
Pro-Tec(old USA made stock) 101
STP S8A

 

[Billy_D]

Originally Posted By: SS1970chrysler
I've been looking in this sub-forum a bit lately and have a bit of confusion in regards to what is good and what is not....



From the list you provided, I would use Motorcraft FL1A

 

[chubbs1]

The MotorCraft filter is the clear winner in the quality dept. The rest are lower tier filters that will work in a pinch, I don't know about the quality of the ProTec USA model.

 

[modularv8]

The Motorcraft is the clear winner here.

 

[CarbonSteel]

MC gets the nod for me with the Pennzoil next. Are the Frams actually 40ish and 30ish years old respectively or are you saying they are the same style as the era? If they are that old, I would not use them, bound to fail under pressure.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I thought FL1A might be my best one. The STP's I use on my 64 Chrysler for the extra clearance only. I actually haven't bought any Fram since early 90's.

I've been reading about pleats and endcaps and working on sorting it out. Like most people, I imagine, I never really gave the filters much thought till now. I've just stuck with $5 and under filters since my intervals are low K's.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Yes. They are that old and still in mint condition, even the rubber is still pliable. I have WEAR-GUARD filters still in the corner-window box from 80's(lots left) and 3-sided window box from 70's.(1 left)

 

[Patman]

Pennzoil filters are Fram filters with a different paint job

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Pennzoil filters are Fram filters with a different paint job


I thought they were now Purolator?

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I may be wrong, but to my understanding the yellow PZ filters are FRAMs and the white PZ are Purolators.
In the case of my posting, I have yellow PZ filters.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Just cut a yellow pennzoil filter open and it looked exactly like the purolator except it had less pleats of filter media.

 

[kemo]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Pennzoil filters are Fram filters with a different paint job


They are purolator filters now.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: kemo
Originally Posted By: Patman
Pennzoil filters are Fram filters with a different paint job


They are purolator filters now.


They were originally made by Purolator and then they switched to Fram a few years ago. So you're saying they now switched back to Purolator once again? That seems odd that they would flip flop twice like that, although anything's possible in this crazy economy!

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: kemo
Originally Posted By: Patman
Pennzoil filters are Fram filters with a different paint job


They are purolator filters now.


They were originally made by Purolator and then they switched to Fram a few years ago. So you're saying they now switched back to Purolator once again? That seems odd that they would flip flop twice like that, although anything's possible in this crazy economy!

You bet ... if they can save $0.02 per filter, they will go to whoever can build them the cheapest.

 

[cp3]

Would Pennzoil and Quaker State have separate contracts or both be under one through SOPUS?

 

[SS1970chrysler]

In closer examination of my filter stockpile, my yellow PZ filters most likely are Frams. They have the same stampings on the threaded end plate. I've also looked at my STP's and some look normal to me, but the later ones with little yellow rectangle on box have some kind of plastic cagework inside. What gives?

 

[cp3]

Originally Posted By: SS1970chrysler
In closer examination of my filter stockpile, my yellow PZ filters most likely are Frams. They have the same stampings on the threaded end plate. I've also looked at my STP's and some look normal to me, but the later ones with little yellow rectangle on box have some kind of plastic cagework inside. What gives?


The plastic cage is the E-core design by Champion Labs...not highly regarded by many here.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I think I'll stick with Motorcraft, Bosch, and Pronto(in emergency).

I'd been using the STP's on my 64 Chrysler because they are shorter and the extra room for install really helped on that car.

 

[river_rat]

Motorcraft, then all the others on the trash can...equally ranked.

 

[river_rat]

^^^ What I meant was I wouldn't use an old stock or off-brand filter when you can get a really good MC filter for cheap.