Fram Ultra vs Mobil 1 EP Filters

[rsalan]

Hello BITOGers,

I used to frequent this forum back when Purolator PureOne was BITOG's darling. So naturally, when I purchased my 5.0 Mustang I got the Purolator BOSS for my first oil change. I got back on this forum recently and noticed everything has turned on its side: Fram Ultra is now king and Puros are now (with bad customer relations)..

Anyways, for my next oil change I'm deciding between the Fram Ultra XG10575 ($9.63) vs the Mobil 1 EP M1-212A ($9.97). As you can see, pricing is basically equal. Which one is better?

 

[Hootbro]

Media and build quality is better on the FRAM Ultra. The build quality on the current EP series of Mobil 1 filters has slipped a bit with excessive glue and wide pleat spacing at the seam of the media.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Ultra... M1 EP also changed the media slightly (consensus is it's now less efficient) to be able to match the Mobil 1 AP oil's 20k mile claim. Use the Ultra.

 

[sprite1741]

Fram Ultra, the bean counters got to the M1. Years ago it was a premium filter, not as much today except in name.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I say - whatever you engine likes; or, clarifying, whatever she doth protest less upon - especially In the Winter.

My recent batch of 10w30 QSUD seemed unlike the last. More Dexos like. Uggh. I pulled the M1EP thinking it was the culprit and spun on a Toughguard.

These are good on a Rogue.

Jury is still out Filter or Oil issue or unhappy VVT after an OCI. Seen it a few times before.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

ARCOgraphite has a good point. Some people get noise when using Fram Ultra. Great filter. I am using one now. You will not know until you try it.

 

[oil_film_movies]

Fram Ultra for sure is the best of the two, as most others above have noted.
Originally Posted by rsalan
I got the Purolator BOSS for my first oil change. I got back on this forum recently and noticed everything has turned on its side: Fram Ultra is now king and Puros are now (with bad customer relations)..
The Boss doesn't tear. It has a totally different filter media, with a plastic mesh backing, its a good oil filter, not as good as a Fram Ultra in filtering ability, but a decent choice.

 

[RDY4WAR]

I have the same question as the OP but slightly different situation. For me, the only Fram Ultra filter I can find for my truck is a short 3.3" filter (XG3506) vs the Mobil 1 filter is 4.2" tall (M-206A). Would the Fram Ultra filter still be preferred even if it's nearly an inch shorter?

 

[jongies3]

Ultra has a true synthetic media, M1 is just a blended cellulose media that can be found in a filter like the TG or PureOne for much less. M1 filter you're paying for the name more than filtering ability, the Ultra is cheaper so it's the more sensible option. TG is a great choice as well.

 

[oil_film_movies]

Originally Posted by Phishin
I'm sure there is no statistical difference between the media they filtered out if you ACTUALLY compared the 20 micron material that Fram used vs. the material that RP used.
Fram Ultra uses a 2-layer media, and Purple uses the different white single layer syn media. Different media I think accounts for the better result the Ultra gets.

You are right, the engine in your truck is an L96 V8, which is not on the list of GM engines (2012-2019) that GM says needs high bypass thresholds. Good catch. Here is the list of engines: LV7, LFV, LE2, LEA, LCV, LKW,LTG, LGX, LGW, L86, L83, L8B,LT4, LT1, LV3, LV1

 

[Zee09]

Originally Posted by Hootbro
Media and build quality is better on the FRAM Ultra. The build quality on the current EP series of Mobil 1 filters has slipped a bit with excessive glue and wide pleat spacing at the seam of the media.



Agreed!

 

[440Magnum]

I think the new Purolator Boss is fine, any negativity is just leftover anger at Purolator for taking so long to address the media failures in certain filter models of the older designs. I would take a Purolator Boss over an M1 any day.

Between the Fram Ultra and the M1, there's no contest. Ultra all the way- wire screen backed full synthetic media in the Ultra, vs. semi-synthetic media with no backing in the M1. The M1 has fallen way behind the times.

 

[mclasser]

I mainly use the Fram Ultra but pick up the M1 when it's bundled with a rebate.

 

[CT8]

You will never ever be able to notice the differences in a million miles.

 

[gregk24]

Fram Ultra all day every day for so many reasons.

 

[rsalan]

Thanks for the insightful replies. Looks like I'm going with the Fram Ultra on the next change. Hope it doesn't make noise on me!

 

[jongies3]

Originally Posted by 440Magnum
I think the new Purolator Boss is fine, any negativity is just leftover anger at Purolator for taking so long to address the media failures in certain filter models of the older designs. I would take a Purolator Boss over an M1 any day.

Between the Fram Ultra and the M1, there's no contest. Ultra all the way- wire screen backed full synthetic media in the Ultra, vs. semi-synthetic media with no backing in the M1. The M1 has fallen way behind the times.

They still have tiny, often closed off louvers and tearing ADBV issues. And 50% at 20 microns isn't anything to get excited about either, plus they're about $4 more than an Ultra. Wix XP is a better choice if you want similar filtering ability without the Tearolator problems as it's around 50% efficient as well. If Puro corrected those issues, the Boss could be a great filter, but until then it's just a $12 paper weight to me.

 

[aba4430]

Originally Posted by jongies3
Originally Posted by 440Magnum
I think the new Purolator Boss is fine, any negativity is just leftover anger at Purolator for taking so long to address the media failures in certain filter models of the older designs. I would take a Purolator Boss over an M1 any day.

Between the Fram Ultra and the M1, there's no contest. Ultra all the way- wire screen backed full synthetic media in the Ultra, vs. semi-synthetic media with no backing in the M1. The M1 has fallen way behind the times.

They still have tiny, often closed off louvers and tearing ADBV issues. And 50% at 20 microns isn't anything to get excited about either, plus they're about $4 more than an Ultra. Wix XP is a better choice if you want similar filtering ability without the Tearolator problems as it's around 50% efficient as well. If Puro corrected those issues, the Boss could be a great filter, but until then it's just a $12 paper weight to me.


Absolutely no issues with using Purolator Boss (PBL14615) filters in our 17 Outback and the recently totaled 2008 Subaru OBS, and PureOne's in our 1987 Brat. I think it would be good to provide objective evidence of recent issues with the Purolator filters prior to trashing these. I am also a fan of the Fram XG 6607 (2008 OBS) and 7317's (17 OB). Additionally, I also love the Pennzoil Platinum (HP37; 2008 OBS) filters - not sure who makes these. And Wix and Purolator are both Mann Hummel outfits!

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
You are right, the engine in your truck is an L96 V8, which is not on the list of GM engines (2012-2019) that GM says needs high bypass thresholds. Good catch. Here is the list of engines: LV7, LFV, LE2, LEA, LCV, LKW,LTG, LGX, LGW, L86, L83, L8B,LT4, LT1, LV3, LV1


So... I'm being dense here because I'm not going to look up the 17 different engine codes above. But... the 6.0 is an iron block and keeps the low requirements. 5.3 and 6.2 are aluminum blocks and get a higher bypass setting. Is this, along with the stuff discussed about the "Big Block" LS/LT engine wishes for HD trucks part of what was driving this?

I just can't right now, at 1am, think of anything that would correlate aluminum blocks with the need for higher bypass pressure, other than the iron block will build oil temp quicker, and therefore thin the oil more rapidly due to heat, than the aluminum blocks.. and therefore send less bypassed oil back into the engine?

 

[ZeeOSix]

The higher filter bypass setting is because of the way the variable output computer controlled oil pump operates, along with the location of the oil pressure feedback sensor in the block. This is per the GM TSB about specifying filters for those engines.