I recently purchased the Fram Endurance FE7317 for my 3.5 V6 Accord and the FE3980 for my 350 Vortec. Overall all what's the verdict on the Endurance? I noticed the FE7317 has an open plastic center tube exposing the wire backed media. The FE3980 has the tiny louvers center tube. Not sure why the difference. I'm now nervous about using louvers so I think I'll return it. But how about the FE7317 with the open plastic center tube? Think this is a good filter? Trying to find the best oil filters to replace my old quality Wix stash that is about out. Thanks for the help!
What's the consensus on Fram Endurance? FE7317 vs FE3980
- Thread starter Chris B.
- Start date
An Endurance FE7317 with an Ecore and wire backed media ... sounds like an upgrade to me. I'd like to see one of those cut open. Sounds like Champ Labs is switching up the build configuration of some of the Endurance filters. How about a photo down the center tube on the FE7317 for a visual.
I'll get one tomorrow! Bed time haha!
First Brands who owns Fram and Champ Labs has had QC issues in recent years. Things easy to inspect are the threads and louvers. Also make sure the ADBV is centered. Not so easy things to inspect are badly stamped leaf springs which require cutting open. If shopping Walmart your best option is the Mobil 1 oil filter.
The 3980 is a tall filter, and it's going to have a whole lot of louvres. Even if only the ones you can see are well-formed, and the rest are not, I don't think it would be too restrictive. I'd mostly be worried about louvres on a short filter, especially on an engine that has a high flow oil pump, which your Vortec probably doesn't have.
Ok here is a picture of the Fram FE7317. I was at Walmart today and all of the ones on the shelf look like this plastic center tube cage with wife reinforced filter media. What do you think?
Wife-reinforced media? Ain’t no crap getting thru that thing!
wire.....whoops!
The modern sub-standard Fram from the sub standard company that put out the sub-standard Endurance and sub-standard Fram Ultra. Drop the sub-standard Endurance garbage, AND RUN!!!! They leak internally, something a "quality well designed oil filter", does not do.
I remember reading on here the Fram Ultra was well regarded. The Endurance looks well made. But I am thinking of returning it now!
Purple Ecore center tube ... Fram must be cross pollinating with some Royal Purple parts.Ok here is a picture of the Fram FE7317. I was at Walmart today and all of the ones on the shelf look like this plastic center tube cage with wife reinforced filter media. What do you think?
Wonder what the leaf spring stamping looks like in these.
