Well,
To close:
- The fitlering capabilities of the Fram filters has never been the issue. If you are looking for a filter that filters oil well, Fram is not a problem.
- The issues with all of the Fram filters, except for the x2, are their cheesy cardboard construction. Many people are concerned that at high pressure they will fall apart causing damage to your engine.
- In the case of the Fram x2 filter, it shares none of the parts of the "normal" Fram designs except for the by-pass valve, and the Anti-drain back valve (ADBV).
- No actual first hand proof has been offered as to failures of the by-pass valve. In fact, it would be rather difficult for the by-pass valve to fail in a fuild filled envinronment.
- The ADBV is a source of debate, however, the amount of oil the might be able to pass the drain back valve is probably quite minor given the can spring and the sealing at the bottom of the filter cartridge. Could it be a better design, sure... it's a really a problem... not in the x2 series. (Ridgid metal construction, as opposed to cardboard for one...)
- Used Oil Analysis (UOA) with AMSOIL 10w40 (AMO), Mobil 1 5w30, Mobil 1 10w30, Mobil 1 0w40, and Castrol GTX Highmilage yeild some of the best results Blackstone has even seen in a Honda H22a4 engine. So scientifically, with 7500 miles use intervals, the Fram x2 works better than other filters.
Would I use another filter rather than the X2 Fram?
Well, yes, I would.
I prefer the Mobil 1 filter for 5000 mile interval with synthetic oil.
I prefer the K&N filter for 7000 mile intervals with synthetic oil. (It filters almost as well, but don't impead oil flow as much as the Mobil 1.)
I like the A/C Delco filters made by Champion Labs, as they are basically the same are the Mobil 1 / K&N.
I also REALLY like the AMSOIL SDF-20 for the Honda H22A application as it filters just as well as the Mobil 1.
All of that being said, the Fram x2 filters the same as the K&N's I've run UOA tests on.
I do not use the Mobil 1 filter because I can not get them in New Jersey.
[ May 14, 2004, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: gerhardb ]
To close:
- The fitlering capabilities of the Fram filters has never been the issue. If you are looking for a filter that filters oil well, Fram is not a problem.
- The issues with all of the Fram filters, except for the x2, are their cheesy cardboard construction. Many people are concerned that at high pressure they will fall apart causing damage to your engine.
- In the case of the Fram x2 filter, it shares none of the parts of the "normal" Fram designs except for the by-pass valve, and the Anti-drain back valve (ADBV).
- No actual first hand proof has been offered as to failures of the by-pass valve. In fact, it would be rather difficult for the by-pass valve to fail in a fuild filled envinronment.
- The ADBV is a source of debate, however, the amount of oil the might be able to pass the drain back valve is probably quite minor given the can spring and the sealing at the bottom of the filter cartridge. Could it be a better design, sure... it's a really a problem... not in the x2 series. (Ridgid metal construction, as opposed to cardboard for one...)
- Used Oil Analysis (UOA) with AMSOIL 10w40 (AMO), Mobil 1 5w30, Mobil 1 10w30, Mobil 1 0w40, and Castrol GTX Highmilage yeild some of the best results Blackstone has even seen in a Honda H22a4 engine. So scientifically, with 7500 miles use intervals, the Fram x2 works better than other filters.
Would I use another filter rather than the X2 Fram?
Well, yes, I would.
I prefer the Mobil 1 filter for 5000 mile interval with synthetic oil.
I prefer the K&N filter for 7000 mile intervals with synthetic oil. (It filters almost as well, but don't impead oil flow as much as the Mobil 1.)
I like the A/C Delco filters made by Champion Labs, as they are basically the same are the Mobil 1 / K&N.
I also REALLY like the AMSOIL SDF-20 for the Honda H22A application as it filters just as well as the Mobil 1.
All of that being said, the Fram x2 filters the same as the K&N's I've run UOA tests on.
I do not use the Mobil 1 filter because I can not get them in New Jersey.
[ May 14, 2004, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: gerhardb ]