Actually, I have used Fram for decades without issue. As a matter of fact, never had a vehicle that needed engine service using Fram and synthetic oil long before it was a fad. Changed my own oil and bought Walmart Fram filters since they were handy. Maybe you could enlighten me as to what was wrong with them?
From what I have recently read about Fram's Ultra filter, it seems to be a good choice (though not the best). However, we are talking about premium filters costing between $10 to $20 a piece.
Fram's lowest price filter was shown in a test where filters were deconstructed, to contain less filter material and use of a cardboard piece for the bypass valve. In my own tests (I have a tool specifically designed to cut filters apart) I can vouch for this finding. For 'low' priced filters, I have relied on Delco. For high priced filters, I use Mobil 1.
Be careful when comparing filter tests. I have seen oil filter tests run like air filter tests, where the testers compare flow rates. What does a higher flow rate really indicate? Let's use physics. Given a
fixed surface area, you can only increase flow rates in one way: make your filter material more porous. By increase the porosity of your filter material, you are going to let more contaminates through. This is true with any kind of filter: oil, air or fuel. In order to increase flow without sacrificing filtration, you must increase the filter surface area. This is usually achieved by adding pleats to the filter material, thus increasing surface area. Even with this, one must be careful measuring flow though because if a filter is working too well, it can cause enough restriction to cause the bypass to open, thus giving misleading results.
Here is the real-life truth: chances are, given the average person keeps a car an average of 12 years. Assuming 12,000 miles per year, that would put average mileage of those cars at 144,000. With the advances in manufacturing techniques and materials, as well as advances in lubricants, even using bargain basement filters will most likely suffice. But for those out there who are like me, we believe in maintaining our mechanical equipment in the best possible manner. We use pure synthetic oil, premium filters and adhere to the manufacturer's recommended change frequency. Is it money wasted? That depends on your point of view. We look at it as cheap insurance.
From personal first-hand experience, I owned a 1973 Balzer that I used Valvoline's best (at the time) motor oil in with changes at the recommended intervals. At 40k, I pulled the valve covers off and discovered the heads were sludged so bad, it was a miracle oil was making it back into the pan. When I replaced the truck with 1978 half ton, I switched to Mobil 1. Instead of changing oil and filter at the recommended frequency, I changed the filter and added a quart of oil at the first interval, then changed both oil and filter at the next interval. 1978 was a notorious year for GM 350 engines with many eating the camshaft by 10k miles. Mine lasted until 32k, a testament to the oil, IMHO. Since it was long past the 12k warranty, I changed the cam myself. When I pulled the manifold off, I was surprised to find the engine was spotless inside without a trace of sludge or deposits of any kind. I became a true believer.
Lastly, I found this and found it interesting:
Just a moment...
