Bought some NAPA Proselects this weekend (mostly based on Lubeowner's endorsement) and noticed that one of them (the 21334 for a Subaru Outback 2.5L)was made in the United Kingdom and it had very different construction from the other 2 that had standard Wix construction and were made here in the USA (21394, 21356). It had a completely different baseplate and a dome-end bypass valve. Does anyone know who actually makes this filter for Wix (NAPA) and why it's made overseas? (Oddly, despite coming from overseas, it was the cheapest of the 3 filters @ $2.79!)
NAPA PROSELECT 21334
- Thread starter MADMIKE
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That's weird. We stock that number filter here at work, but on the label they are clearly marked "Made in Canada". The numbers "54" and "30" are stamped on the baseplate.
Why this filter is sourced from different places is beyond me!
Why this filter is sourced from different places is beyond me!
Thanks Pete--the odd thing is that the NAPA NASCAR Select and NAPA Gold versions of this filter are made here in the USA with standard Wix construction. Don't understand why only one version of this filter is made overseas and the others are not. Can you shed any light?
I have seen those filters in the old silver line from England. I cut one open and it was really scary. Not at all like a Wix. Looked more like the denso's we see here. At the time I thought it was junk, but since the densos are supposed to be good maybe it was not as bad as I thought.
I believe the ones made in UK are being phased out. I haven't seen one in a long time. In fact the new version has a spiral wound center tube and coil spring bypass. Looks identical to the gold. I know there is one other US version with a dome end bypass and crimped center tube but I don't see them shipped to us very often.
I have seen these filters many times. When I see them I always think England is trying to get rid of filters they don't need and is selling them really cheap to WIX. The ones I see are for GM cars that run the 3.8 liter V-6. Actually this filter fits many GM products.
I think a company in England made them in the eighties or nineties and supply far exceeded demand.
I do add that these filters seem to work just fine.
I think a company in England made them in the eighties or nineties and supply far exceeded demand.
I do add that these filters seem to work just fine.
Pete C--for the money, which NAPA line (Proselect, Nascar Select, Gold) is the best value? (best combination of price and quality) What do you use on your car(s)? Thanks!
Translation NAPA Gold or Wix?
Thanks Pete--I can respect that. I was just trying to decide if the top-of-the-line NAPA Gold (or WIX) is worth the extra money over a NAPA Proselect or a NAPA NASCAR Select.
MADMIKE,
The only possible difference is with the grade of filter media. I believe the gold possibly uses a better media and the silicone ADBV. Construction is identical on most of the filters. We are using the ProSelect on many extended drain intervals with synthetic at the shop. No problems whatsoever. I think the NASCAR is kind of a gimmick. It seems to be a proselect with weird plastic oil spinner at the inlet. ProSelect is the best value in oil filters IMHO.
The only possible difference is with the grade of filter media. I believe the gold possibly uses a better media and the silicone ADBV. Construction is identical on most of the filters. We are using the ProSelect on many extended drain intervals with synthetic at the shop. No problems whatsoever. I think the NASCAR is kind of a gimmick. It seems to be a proselect with weird plastic oil spinner at the inlet. ProSelect is the best value in oil filters IMHO.
I do hate to disagree, but disagree I must. NAPA gold filters are identical to Wix filters except for the packaging and the graphics.
When we run a given type of part number, all we do is change paint color (if necessary) the printing plate or the label, and the packaging... and just keep on truckin. This only applies to NAPA Gold vs Wix.
When we run a given type of part number, all we do is change paint color (if necessary) the printing plate or the label, and the packaging... and just keep on truckin. This only applies to NAPA Gold vs Wix.
In your opinion Pete, is the price premium for the Wix or NAPA Gold over the Proselect or NASCAR select worth it for whatever extra features and/or better quality you're getting?
My opinion depends on the prices. Whether the silicone ADBV adds any value to you depends on your vehicle and the season. I personally assume that the media in the Proselect is poorer than the Gold, but I'm sure it is still decent.
So, if I were buying filters at my overpriced local NAPA, I might choose the Proselect over the gold.
But, if you buy filters online from one of the popular vendors often discussed on this web site, usually you pay less for a Gold than you would pay for a Proselect at your local NAPA. (Unless you buy in huge bulk locally like lubeowner does.)
Pete, you may want to rethink that statement... that can't be the company line. It either says that the Proselect are complete junk or you personally are a "filter snob".
Company line should go more like: "Both are excellent filters that meet or exceed... the Gold is for the customer who demands the highest performance... la la la".
But you'd know better than I would.
Company line should go more like: "Both are excellent filters that meet or exceed... the Gold is for the customer who demands the highest performance... la la la".
But you'd know better than I would.
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