What's going on at fram?

[threeone]

Picked up an xg4967 at Walmart yesterday and noticed it was an e-core. Media looks different from what I've seen in ultra's before and the cage is too. I'm used to seeing pinkish, beige or sometimes the white material but I haven't seen the material from a ph in an ultra. Won't know exactly what it is until I cut it open but I tried getting the best pictures I could.

Honestly don't know what to think about fram now a days as my regular filters regularly change center tube, filter media and qc issues I can visibly see from the outside.

 

[kschachn]

There are several existing long and detailed threads you may wish to check out.

 

[Zee09]

K&N is the same and unimpressive to say the least...the E core is a positive however.

 

[KGMtech]

I'd not worry one bit. If you had a bare e-core and a bare metal inner tube with no media, the e-core would be harder to crush - with your hand- than the metal tube.

 

[Glenda W.]

First Brands consolidating manufacturing. Champ/Fram hybrids of all kinds have been showing up lately. QC also on the decline.

 

[DHBWA]

Why I started using Microgard

 

[dnewton3]

Why I started using Microgard

MG construction is good.
MG filtration efficiency (95% at 29um), not so much ...

 

[Glenda W.]

MG construction is good.
MG filtration efficiency (95% at 29um), not so much ...

Microgard Select/Premium Guard XL 98.7@15, 99.5@20, and 99.9@25.

 

[fantastic]

Yeah, that's a lot more cellulose type media looking than the previous versions. Good eye! Wonder what Fram says if emailed about the change.

 

[DHBWA]

Microgard Select/Premium Guard XL 98.7@15, 99.5@20, and 99.9@25.

Correct. I only use the Select…

 

[LowMilesLesabre]

Geese. We are running out of good quality filters to run to when other brands cheapen theirs.

 

[threeone]

Yeah, that's a lot more cellulose type media looking than the previous versions. Good eye! Wonder what Fram says if emailed about the change.

Checked the ph and tg 4967 on the shelf and some had e-core some had steel center tubes. What I noticed across the board was from the super tech 4967 to fram ultra the media looked exactly the same for all 4 filters.

 

[Hirev]

Looks like a gussied up champ / super tech filter to me. Fram these days is like an old school box of Cracker Jack that said "surprise inside".

 

[drtyler]

Checked the ph and tg 4967 on the shelf and some had e-core some had steel center tubes. What I noticed across the board was from the super tech 4967 to fram ultra the media looked exactly the same for all 4 filters.

The inside portion of the media visible thru center tube would look similar. The Ultra should have a some synthetic layer as an outside layer.

 

[Kira]

Microgard Select/Premium Guard XL 98.7@15, 99.5@20, and 99.9@25.

I just hope and pray that the quality level implied by the numbers applies to their entire line.
EX: I hope my Microgard Select MSL 10241 is that good.
In another thread I guessed the Baldwin cross ((P40134) wouldn't be any better.

We are running out of good quality filters

As long as there are good ones to buy, the shabby ones can [insert stupid reference to some economic theory here].

 

[ZeeOSix]

MG construction is good.
MG filtration efficiency (95% at 29um), not so much ...

As mentioned, their extended use models are higher efficiency.

 

[tcp71]

Installed an XG10575 in the truck on Saturday. It had the metal inner tube with louvers. Looked like the one I took off.

 

[Glenda W.]

I just hope and pray that the quality level implied by the numbers applies to their entire line.
EX: I hope my Microgard Select MSL 10241 is that good.

I agree. But in the current situation we don’t have many other options.

 

[scoot]

I have 3 Fram old school XG2 vacuum sealed . Maybe I'm sitting on a eBay auction gold mine .

 

[Kira]

Alas, only BITOGers regard them as gold. So, offer them here first!