Each of these filters were used on a 2011 Honda CR-Z for 3,500-4,000 miles. The FRAM was removed early in order to change the car's oil cooler setup and the WIX was removed early to make sure any debris from a recent camshaft swap had been collected before this year's track events start. The FRAM saw about 160 miles at Road Atlanta and 260 miles at Barber Motorsports Park, while the WIX only saw six autocross runs.
I'm not here to say that one filter is better than the other, I just thought that it would be interesting to show the different construction techniques used on each filter to achieve the same ultimate goal.
The FRAM has 31 pleats and the WIX has 43.
Seam side of the WIX.
Opposite of the seam on the WIX.
The WIX has a single layer of fine synthetic media.
The bypass valve on the WIX is built into the top of the filter.
The backing mesh on the WIX is finer than on the FRAM.
Seam side on the FRAM.
Opposite of the seam on the FRAM.
The FRAM uses two layers of synthetic media, one of which is course and the other fine.
The FRAM uses a gasket material on the top of the filter where the spring is installed.
The FRAM has a completely different center tube design than the WIX.
Can't get much different on the base plates either.
The WIX had some adhesive on the base plate coming loose and starting to enter the filter.
The ADBV on the WIX is thinner and more flexible than the one used on the FRAM.
As many of you know, the FRAM has a bypass valve built into the leaf spring while the WIX uses a coil spring and a separate bypass valve.
The WIX is slightly smaller than the FRAM.
Seam side of the WIX.
Opposite of the seam on the WIX.
The WIX has a single layer of fine synthetic media.
The bypass valve on the WIX is built into the top of the filter.
The backing mesh on the WIX is finer than on the FRAM.
Seam side on the FRAM.
Opposite of the seam on the FRAM.
The FRAM uses two layers of synthetic media, one of which is course and the other fine.
The FRAM uses a gasket material on the top of the filter where the spring is installed.
The FRAM has a completely different center tube design than the WIX.
Can't get much different on the base plates either.
The WIX had some adhesive on the base plate coming loose and starting to enter the filter.
The ADBV on the WIX is thinner and more flexible than the one used on the FRAM.
As many of you know, the FRAM has a bypass valve built into the leaf spring while the WIX uses a coil spring and a separate bypass valve.
The WIX is slightly smaller than the FRAM.
