I haven't been able to find anything that directly compares napa's silver filters to fram's filters. I know everyone is going to say that the frams are horrible and that the silvers aren't very good and that one should avoid both, but has anyone directly compared Napa's Silver to a Fram?
napa silver vs. fram
- Thread starter john_ertw
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As long as the napa silver isn't made by fram......I would choose it.
I’ve cut open the Napa Silver (1085) and a few Frams (PH16, TG16, and X2 part#?) for Jeep/DC Applications. The Frams had their standard plastic bypass valve, and black or orange ADBV, and except for the X2 model, cardboard endcaps. The Napa silver appeared to have better construction with metal endcaps and decent looking ADBV. The Silver’s bypass valve is some type of phenolic or plastic and metal coil spring, i.e. similar design and materials to the Frams. The media of the Silver appeared similar to the cheaper Frams (typical pleated paper). The Fram X2 had a much different looking filter media with a screen covering the media.
I see no reason to buy one of the Frams over the Napa Silver, unless you want to spend significantly more for the Fram X2’s allegedly better media. BTW, unlike most other after-market filters, the X2 is also rated for 7.5k miles (if that’s important to you).
Also note that oil filters for some applications, especially those used on many GM engines, don’t have bypass valves in the oil filter. My comments regarding bypass valves wouldn’t apply in those cases. Since Napa doesn’t make any of their filters, it’s also possible that some of the features and characteristics of the Napa Silver filter described above may not be correct for filters used in applications other than the Jeep/DC one referenced above.
I see no reason to buy one of the Frams over the Napa Silver, unless you want to spend significantly more for the Fram X2’s allegedly better media. BTW, unlike most other after-market filters, the X2 is also rated for 7.5k miles (if that’s important to you).
Also note that oil filters for some applications, especially those used on many GM engines, don’t have bypass valves in the oil filter. My comments regarding bypass valves wouldn’t apply in those cases. Since Napa doesn’t make any of their filters, it’s also possible that some of the features and characteristics of the Napa Silver filter described above may not be correct for filters used in applications other than the Jeep/DC one referenced above.
"Napa Silver vs. Fram"
"Yugo vs. Kia"
"Old Milwaukee vs. Henry Weinhards"
"Doo doo vs. Poo poo..?"
The lauded Mini-Mopar filter study showed the Napa Silvers to be a poorly made filter, and of course we all know about the Fram filters of death. But then, the Mopar study is several years old, and perhaps obsolete regarding Napa Silvers...? Perhaps Brian's info is more current and relevant now.
For about the same price, one can get a Purolator Premium Plus, an AC/Delco without the clicker valve, or a low-priced Motorcraft from WalMart, with any of these being decent options with good construction.
"Yugo vs. Kia"
"Old Milwaukee vs. Henry Weinhards"
"Doo doo vs. Poo poo..?"
The lauded Mini-Mopar filter study showed the Napa Silvers to be a poorly made filter, and of course we all know about the Fram filters of death. But then, the Mopar study is several years old, and perhaps obsolete regarding Napa Silvers...? Perhaps Brian's info is more current and relevant now.
For about the same price, one can get a Purolator Premium Plus, an AC/Delco without the clicker valve, or a low-priced Motorcraft from WalMart, with any of these being decent options with good construction.
If I were in the US, I would probably use a supertech filter as I've read they are fairly good filters at extremly low prices. Unfortunately, the filter selection of low price filters in
I know I'm trying to get away without doing my own testing, which I believe is fair and is what makes this board so great... you can find the answers you want/need from someone who already went through the trouble of doing the work.
Thanks for the replys and opinions everyone.
If given a choice I'd go with the Napa Silver...but then again, you might as well pony up acouple more bucks and get the Napa Gold and have no questions about the quality.
i agree
why fret over using the cheapest filter you can find? the price difference between silver and gold is $3-$4. if you change your oil every 3 months that is a whopping difference of $16 a year. that is an extra $1.33 operating cost per month, or $.04 per day, or $.001 per mile. if the vehicle is worth driving it is worth installing a decent filter, not the best junk you can find, it's still junk.
[ May 09, 2004, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: tom slick ]
Did you try the "SEARCH" function for NAPA Silver?
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