Well I got tired of getting ripped off for getting my oil changed so I decided to do it myself this time. I bought RotellaT oil (15w-40) and a Fram Extra Guard filter (PH9100). I dont see anyone ever talking about Fram Oil Filters on here. Anyone hear anything about them, good or bad? I live near a small town and thats all they had to offer. Just wondering if i need to drive to a bigger town for a better selection of oil filters or if this will work out. I dont want to put anything on my truck thats not quality so any help will be much appreciated, and if Fram is a bad one which one do y'all recommend?

FRAM is one of the cheapest and poorest performing filters you can get. There is a website out there somewhere where a guy compares many different filters. NAPA Gold filters are pretty good as well as the AC Delco filters you can get at Autozone.

Thanks for the reply, I found the search on this website and found a few things on Fram. Looks like I will be making the 45 minute drive to the city tomorrow.

Thanks for the reply, I found the search on this website and found a few things on Fram. Looks like I will be making the 45 minute drive to the city tomorrow.

Good Move !!! Worth the drive for sure ... while your at it buy a few that way you don't needt dash out everytime. :)

Thanks for the reply, I found the search on this website and found a few things on Fram. Looks like I will be making the 45 minute drive to the city tomorrow.

Check out our VENDOR section and order what you need from one of them. GM AC oil filter, Allison spin on filter and fuel filters can be purchased and shipped by the vendors, probably cheaper than the cost of fuel going out to town.

Check out our VENDOR section and order what you need from one of them. GM AC oil filter, Allison spin on filter and fuel filters can be purchased and shipped by the vendors, probably cheaper than the cost of fuel going out to town.
x2...The right choice...

ALSO Napa Gold from fleet filter(one of our sponsers)

Always remember, you usually get what you pay for. You can't drive a Rolls Royce and pay for a Volkswagon! Stay away from Fram, and get a good quality filter as other members have already stated.

Always remember, you usually get what you pay for. You can't drive a Rolls Royce and pay for a Volkswagon! Stay away from Fram, and get a good quality filter as other members have already stated.

:exactly: As he said

Hate to break up the fram bashing, but i have been using them for ever and not on problem on any piece of equipment we have used them on.. Trucks, motor graders, back hoe's bobcats,cars boats and not one related problem in over 40 plus years of use... But you go ahead and drive that 45 min trip, its your choice.... Arm

Always remember, you usually get what you pay for. You can't drive a Rolls Royce and pay for a Volkswagon! Stay away from Fram, and get a good quality filter as other members have already stated.

:exactly: What he said X2!!

All napa gold filters are wix's reboxed.

ARM is always ready to jump to Fram's defense, he must have stock in the company or something. Fram filters are JUNK they have CARDBOARD GUTS they are the WORST thing you can do to your $40,000 truck.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89557&highlight=FRAM+junk

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4246&d=1115571729

The Fram Extra Guard are the orange ones, right? The common belief, and the results of people cutting them open, etc., is that they are made very cheaply. Since the Duramax puts out a lot of oil pressure when cold, I would change to one of the ones mentioned earlier. I've been using Baldwin (from Kennedy, a site sponsor).

That said, I will defend Fram Tough Guard filters that I run in my Toyotas because the oil stays visibly clear for almost the entire 5000 miles. In contrast, I used a genuine Toyota when my 2000 Rav4 was new and the oil looked terrible after 1000 miles. Fram Tough Guard obviously filters very well, but I hope they aren't too restrictive. (Still, I'm not putting one on the D-Max.)

Personally I run fleet guard oil filters. GOod oil filters aroe about 6-8 dollars depending on where you buyt hem cheap ones are 2-4 dollars. Saving 4 dollars on a oil filter riskinga 10000 dollar engine????

Have you guys read this thread by Georgecls?

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144788

I don't mean to FRAM Bash, or offend anyone. If you want to run a FRAM, then go ahead and do so. I run what I feel comfortable with. My money, my investment! To each's own they say! ;)

I don't mean to FRAM Bash, or offend anyone. If you want to run a FRAM, then go ahead and do so. I run what I feel comfortable with. My money, my investment! To each's own they say! ;)
I think like Silveradoman, to each their own, having said that, this site is to inform or share/make a opinion and everyone can take the info and decide what is best for them. Seems like everyone can use exactly the same product and everyone will have different results. So, I like the oem filters...

Well I got tired of getting ripped off for getting my oil changed so I decided to do it myself this time. I bought RotellaT oil (15w-40) and a Fram Extra Guard filter (PH9100). I dont see anyone ever talking about Fram Oil Filters on here. Anyone hear anything about them, good or bad? I live near a small town and thats all they had to offer. Just wondering if i need to drive to a bigger town for a better selection of oil filters or if this will work out. I dont want to put anything on my truck thats not quality so any help will be much appreciated, and if Fram is a bad one which one do y'all recommend?

Everyone to his own for sure. I used Fram and still on occassion and never had a problem then or now. Absolutely nothing wrong with FRAM. It is the expectations of what they are designed to do. Just as anything else, maintenace is the key on anything. You want to look, you will find negative feedback on anything you want. I do believe though if Fram was as bad as they say, Fram would not still be in business.

My 2cts worth.

Everyone to his own for sure. I used Fram and still on occassion and never had a problem then or now. Absolutely nothing wrong with FRAM. It is the expectations of what they are designed to do. Just as anything else, maintenace is the key on anything. You want to look, you will find negative feedback on anything you want. I do believe though if Fram was as bad as they say, Fram would not still be in business.

My 2cts worth.

I think this is one of those times that "what people don't know can actually hurt them" situations.
I also used to use Fram and used quite a few of them. I still have a few on my shelf. And, those filters will always be there.
The only reason they are still in business is because of their advertising and the way they are marketed. Go in some of the Wally worlds and they will occupy a whole isle of filters and sometimes are the only ones there. And, notice how some of the chain parts stores have sales where Frams are sold for $1.00 ea. The folks buying them just don't know any better.
I care about how parts on my vehicles (including lawn mowers) are made. I don't want anything that might contain "cheap" or substandard internals.
There is more than one website where someone has gone to the trouble to dismantle new filters and compare the components. Fram almost always comes out last.
Thankfully this is one of those items that even the most expensive is still cheap insurance.
Added note: Think about having a poor quality filter fail internally and you never know it. The oil would just recirculate and never filter but you would never know.

Why is everybody always looking for an alternative to the original equipment manufacturer's stuff? I can buy a GM filter at AutoZone for $8 and change, the Allison spin-on from my International Truck dealer for $6 and change. Don't need a "vendor", shipping charges and such, and I have what the manufacturer says to put on it.

I used a Mobil-1 Filter last oil change, a little more expensive than most of the others, but we'll see what the oil looks like in a few thousand miles. (already got 2 on the filter.)

I worked at a "Pennzoil" instant oil change for awhile. All of the "Pennzoil" filters were fram filters, same thing at the "Valvoline" instant oil change my boss owned as well. Another reason not to pay someone to do something you can do yourself.

I have used noting but Fram filters on my last 6 vehicles without issue. I chose Fram mainly due to availability and cost. I purchased Wix for the Dmax because I though the venders from this site offered a good price. I have read the reports on the various oil filter brands, and would like to point out not all Fram filters preformed poorly.

So far I have had 1 out or 3 Wix filters fail. It leaked at the seam. I’m not entirely sure how much oil was lost, but over 2,000 it failed to register on the dip stick. It could be the one failure that Wix ever made, but it is still 1 out of 3 for me. My $.02, but I understand why others would want nothing but the highest rated filters. I understand the Wix/Napa Gold are highly rated quality filters, but that has not been my personal experience.

I have used noting but Fram filters on my last 6 vehicles without issue. I chose Fram mainly due to availability and cost. I purchased Wix for the Dmax because I though the venders from this site offered a good price. I have read the reports on the various oil filter brands, and would like to point out not all Fram filters preformed poorly.

So far I have had 1 out or 3 Wix filters fail. It leaked at the seam. I’m not entirely sure how much oil was lost, but over 2,000 it failed to register on the dip stick. It could be the one failure that Wix ever made, but it is still 1 out of 3 for me. My $.02, but I understand why others would want nothing but the highest rated filters. I understand the Wix/Napa Gold are highly rated quality filters, but that has not been my personal experience.


I with ya!!

I work at a school bus company that runs a fleet of over 1000 vehicles including cars, buses, and tractors. We have used FRAM filters on all these vehicles for many, many years. Oil is sampled in every vehicle every other oil change. We have never had a sample come back bad or a engine fail because of insufficient oil filtration.

I work at a school bus company that runs a fleet of over 1000 vehicles including cars, buses, and tractors. We have used FRAM filters on all these vehicles for many, many years. Oil is sampled in every vehicle every other oil change. We have never had a sample come back bad or a engine fail because of insufficient oil filtration.


Here's an experiment for you. Substitute one of those FRAM filters for a good one like AC, Puralator, or Fleetguard, and do the same tests. You may be suprised at what you see.

I will still stick with OEM or a better brand name reputation than Fram! Whooboy said it best! JMHO!

Why bother to use anything else but oem filters, seems like everyone is trying to compare all the other filters to the ACDelco and Allison oem's...

Why bother to use anything else but oem filters, seems like everyone is trying to compare all the other filters to the ACDelco and Allison oem's...

:exactly: I used to buy AC Delco filters when Walmart carried them, then when they stopped carrying them, I started buying from a local AC Delco parts supplier. I now get a nice little discount, because I usually buy all our parts from them. AC filters are top quality, so why bother buying anything else.

How about closing this tread and everyone use what they think is best for them! Just alot of bla bla bla fileter this filter that.... who cares your going to use what you think is best and cheapest so stop the bla bla bla and close this tread!!

Ok

I know a lot of people may say they used Fram for years but had no problem, but that doesn't mean anything. I used Fram for years without a problem then one day had a fram fuel filter start leaking. I was in college and had an S10 and it was when fuel injection was new and the filters had just been moved outside of the throttle body but not down to the frame yet so I had a leaking fuel filter under the hood. If I hadn't caught it I could have had a fire. I thought it was just one of those "anything can fail" moments until a few years later when I started reading other fram failure stories on the internet and I quit buying them at that point, I figure my engine or my life is worth too much for the risk.

Well I got tired of getting ripped off for getting my oil changed so I decided to do it myself this time. I bought RotellaT oil (15w-40) and a Fram Extra Guard filter (PH9100). I dont see anyone ever talking about Fram Oil Filters on here. Anyone hear anything about them, good or bad? I live near a small town and thats all they had to offer. Just wondering if i need to drive to a bigger town for a better selection of oil filters or if this will work out. I dont want to put anything on my truck thats not quality so any help will be much appreciated, and if Fram is a bad one which one do y'all recommend?

This always opens a can of worms. Use them. Like anything else use properly they will work.:D

Why is everybody always looking for an alternative to the original equipment manufacturer's stuff? I can buy a GM filter at AutoZone for $8 and change, the Allison spin-on from my International Truck dealer for $6 and change. Don't need a "vendor", shipping charges and such, and I have what the manufacturer says to put on it.

Exactly...especially with the 100k warranty.

I can buy a GM filter at AutoZone for $8 and change, the Allison spin-on from my International Truck dealer for $6 and change. Don't need a "vendor", shipping charges and such, and I have what the manufacturer says to put on it.
I choose to buy from the supporting Vendors on this site because without them this site would not be possible. I'll gladly pay a few extra dollars on shipping, or cost for the information the I have gained for free on this site.
Also I' don't trust the pimple faced teenager behind the Autozone counter to look up the correct part.

I have been using fram for 15 years. Not a single problem yet. If you use something that does not give you any trouble; you are waisting money on a more expensive part that does not give you trouble.

I have been using fram for 15 years. Not a single problem yet. If you use something that does not give you any trouble; you are waisting money on a more expensive part that does not give you trouble.

You've got a good point, bo. I hope the nickles and dimes that you've saved on those Fram filters all these years total up enough to pay for the major damage to your engine that will result from a filter collapse or leak, or at least pay for the early overhaul that may result from the poor filtering that you've been getting.

Ok. I will do my own test on this. I am almost due an oil change. I change it when the dic says 50%. It is right at 5000 miles. I will send a sample to be analyzed. I will put an AC Delco on the truck and send that oil out when it is time to be changed and we will see if there is a difference. No one here has any REAL DATA on fram being inferior to any other filter. It does have cardboard in it. I put 3000 miles a month on a vehicle. Someone already mentioned if a filter does fail internally you will never know. If you change your oil regularly I bet you don't even need to change the filter. Some airplane engines just have a screen and no filter. The oil is just changed twice as much. Someone find me an engine that failed due to a oil filter failing internally. This does not mean leaking or blowing apart either. It needs filter media blocking oil passages. My last truck had 125k miles on it and fram oil filters its whole life and it did not even burn oil.
I think some people just feel better buying something more expensive. I do know after this post my fram just failed sitting in the hangar. I have jinxed myself now.

Well we've all seen the pictures of the cut open Fram Vs the others. Those are certainly enough to make you think about it... Then, of course, there's the fact that a Fram costs about half of what an AC 2232 does. Hmmm... I wonder why that is?... Run what you want and feel comfotable with, but on a technical forum like this one you're simply going to hear alot of very well informed people saying Fram is junk. As an engineer, I choose to believe what I see in front of me. I personally have cut open both. I don't buy Fram. You go ahead... JMHO

Mike

Anyone have any thoughts on the Amsoil filters EA052. I just put one my truck with the last change. Amsoil claims 1 year or 25K with normal driving, 15K in heavy duty driving. Anyone had one on that long? I also run an FS2500 that I will change every 10K. Thoughts?

Fram here and always have been. I to am about 2 days out from my oil change and I have the Blackstone container on the shelf and ready to go. Guess we will see.

ps My last report on my PSD the oil had 6300k mi and report said it still had life. Oh yeah filtered by a FRAM! Aint that about a B**ch? Our work trucks run FRAM filters and well over a 100k per year with 30+' trailer and load and running strong. So they have proven themselves to me.

Fram does filter well, any tests they come out pretty good on filtration, its the poor construction that makes failure rates higher. Saying you have been using fram for years without a problem is like saying you have been speeding for years without a ticket, sooner or later you will.

6 of one 1/2 dozen the other? So you are telling me that if we talk in terms of eternity that NAPA, Delco, will never fail?

Fram costs about half of what an AC 2232 does.

Get what ya' pay for usually.

6 of one 1/2 dozen the other? So you are telling me that if we talk in terms of eternity that NAPA, Delco, will never fail?
Any filter could possibly fail but it would seem that just knowing that the insides of a Fram are made of cheaper materials would be enough to keep most people from using them. I still would rather pay a couple bucks more and know that the quality is better.

Other than being the cheapest filters on the planet with the hidden potential to ruin an engine here's a few other Fram facts. 1st it has a poor quality anti drain back valve which makes it easier for oil to seep back into the base when the engine is down for extended periods of time. Dry starts are the result. The oil filters designed for the DMax contain a 14-17 PSI coil spring type internal relief valve designed to provide adequate oil volume should the filter begin to clog. Fram has a sheet metal spring against cardboard to hold the element against the anti drain back valve and flange. To save on parts/cost this same sheet metal spring doubles as a relief valve via the opening at the bottom of the element. When relief takes place oil is allowed to enter the clean side of the element from between the sheet metal (Spring) and element as diffriential pressure pushes the element tighter against the flange and allows minimal clearance. This allows the bypass of dirty oil and particles washed from the dirty side of the media. Fram also has much less filter media and a thinner can than its competitors. With the high oil pressure and flow volumes of a diesel more media and a thicker can would be a good idea.

AC Delco for $7.99 from O'Reilly auto parts locally. I have no problem laying out an extra $3 or $4 dollars for what I consider to be a better filter once every 9 months or so for my 10K change. As others have said, to each his own.

6 of one 1/2 dozen the other? So you are telling me that if we talk in terms of eternity that NAPA, Delco, will never fail?

Would you put tires on your truck that are made of cardboard that has been glued together or high quality steel belted rubber? Which do you think would have the higher chance of failing? Which will break sooner a chinese wrench from walamrt or a snap on? Other filters have metal end caps and fram have cardboard. other filters have real anti-drain back valves, fram has a simple bent piece of steel
that doesn't seal. A lesser quality product will fail easier and sooner than a high quality. Sure another brand could fail but the chances of fram failing are higher, way higher.

AC Delco for $7.99 from O'Reilly auto parts locally. I have no problem laying out an extra $3 or $4 dollars for what I consider to be a better filter once every 9 months or so for my 10K change. As others have said, to each his own.

x2
$3.00 is cheap insurance and piece of mind-
I feel much better hauling down the road in the middle of Kansas at 2:00 am with my wife and kids sleeping in the back with quality fluids and filters. No reason to pinch pennys when you dropped 40k on a nice truck IMO.

Would you put tires on your truck that are made of cardboard that has been glued together or high quality steel belted rubber? Which do you think would have the higher chance of failing? Which will break sooner a chinese wrench from walamrt or a snap on? Other filters have metal end caps and fram have cardboard. other filters have real anti-drain back valves, fram has a simple bent piece of steel
that doesn't seal. A lesser quality product will fail easier and sooner than a high quality. Sure another brand could fail but the chances of fram failing are higher, way higher.


Snap-on is over priced and a waste of money.
And after 15+ years of oil changes and using FRAM I have never had a failure. This includes diesels by Ford, Chevy, and Dodge, and well over 75k/yr on each, pulling trailers w/load.

So to each his/her own, use what you want and be happy:)

No fram filters on my vehicles. If I can't spend the extra money and get a real good oil filter for my $ 40,000 plus truck then I might as well get rid of it. Use what ever floats your boat and if it makes you happy more power to you.

Heres a couple of good reasons to not use Fram filters.

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilter-fram1.txt

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=880477

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=863355

Based on the information it looks like Fram filters load up and go into bypass fairly quick. About equal to running no filter at all.

ARM is always ready to jump to Fram's defense, he must have stock in the company or something. Fram filters are JUNK they have CARDBOARD GUTS they are the WORST thing you can do to your $40,000 truck.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89557&highlight=FRAM+junk


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4246&d=1115571729 (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4246&d=1115571729)
(Image has been resized. Click it for full size.)


A Picture is worth a 1000 words. That should be the end of these threads!


Heres a couple of good reasons to not use Fram filters.

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilter-fram1.txt (I have seen this before, but I question it's validity because there is no way to verify it authenticity, JMHO however)

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=880477

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=863355

Based on the information it looks like Fram filters load up and go into bypass fairly quick. About equal to running no filter at all.

I have experience with the cheap drainback valves. I had a Nissan Quest that I used OEM filters on. To save time on one oil change I used a Fram and the thing would clatter on cold starts. Went back to an oem and no more clatter.

For the extra few bucks I use the Delcos on the Dmax.

ARM is always ready to jump to Fram's defense, he must have stock in the company or something. Fram filters are JUNK they have CARDBOARD GUTS they are the WORST thing you can do to your $40,000 truck.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89557&highlight=FRAM+junk


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4246&d=1115571729 (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4246&d=1115571729)
(Image has been resized. Click it for full size.)


Hey IDOL, have you cut open a "EXTENDED GUARD 9100 Oil filter???? I did, and there is no cardboard ends its metal, and heavyduty at that, I was impressed w/the construction of those filters.

I use Mobil 1 filters now.$8.99 isn't too much compared to a $10K engine.I've used Fram filters for 20+ years,never had a problem.Now,I know there never will be a problem!

Ok. I will do my own test on this. I am almost due an oil change. I change it when the dic says 50%. It is right at 5000 miles. I will send a sample to be analyzed. I will put an AC Delco on the truck and send that oil out when it is time to be changed and we will see if there is a difference. No one here has any REAL DATA on fram being inferior to any other filter. It does have cardboard in it. I put 3000 miles a month on a vehicle. Someone already mentioned if a filter does fail internally you will never know. If you change your oil regularly I bet you don't even need to change the filter. Some airplane engines just have a screen and no filter. The oil is just changed twice as much. Someone find me an engine that failed due to a oil filter failing internally. This does not mean leaking or blowing apart either. It needs filter media blocking oil passages. My last truck had 125k miles on it and fram oil filters its whole life and it did not even burn oil.
I think some people just feel better buying something more expensive. I do know after this post my fram just failed sitting in the hangar. I have jinxed myself now.
Those same airplane engines are overhauled on a timed basis also! Not run to the point of failure like most automotive engines. There is no comparison there.

Those same airplane engines are overhauled on a timed basis also! Not run to the point of failure like most automotive engines. There is no comparison there.

An airplane engine has to make rated power or it is no good. You can run them well past TBO if it is still in good shape (if you want to). A car engine runs until it dies but it does not make rated power its entire life either. The engines with screens last just as long as a filtered engines. That is the only point I was trying to make. They last just a long.

I have used Fram for a long time and have had no problems. I am changing the oil today and bought an AC Delco filter. All the fine people here have me worried and I don't want to try and prove a point with my engine. I don't worry anymore now. This is such a great site.

Ok so I am now really rethinking my position with FRAM. I like them, have used then for years and tons of miles. I sent them an email about a week ago wanting info on their policy for covering damages from a failed oil filter. I have yet to hear back from them.:(
So I will try one more time by phone to get this info and if no luck then FRAM...Sorry, but if you don't stand behind your product then I will be lost 15+ year customer. Will report back after I call them on Monday.

Anybody know anything about "Mighty" brand filters? I have a buddy that works at an independent oil change shop and that is what they use. I believe they also supply them with other stuff too such as wiper blades and such. I read somewhere that Mighty is just a rebadged filter.

Hey IDOL, have you cut open a "EXTENDED GUARD 9100 Oil filter???? I did, and there is no cardboard ends its metal, and heavyduty at that, I was impressed w/the construction of those filters.

Pictures would be nice!

Does anyone sell a cheaper filter then Fram? If so I'd buy it, all these oil threads are crap.
I use the cheapest oil they sell at wally world and fram filters (I like the grippy stuff)
Can't believe you guys waste your money on expensive synthetic stuff. Sure its better, but you not protecting the space shuttle.
Look at how many stock engine failures there are, hardly any. Most of the time you decide a vehicle is dead, its because all the little sensors and interior crap broke. You just get sick of fixing them.

Does anyone sell a cheaper filter then Fram? If so I'd buy it, all these oil threads are crap.
I use the cheapest oil they sell at wally world and fram filters (I like the grippy stuff)
Can't believe you guys waste your money on expensive synthetic stuff. Sure its better, but you not protecting the space shuttle.
Look at how many stock engine failures there are, hardly any. Most of the time you decide a vehicle is dead, its because all the little sensors and interior crap broke. You just get sick of fixing them.

And if this works for you then more power to you, but I can't ever cut on my maintence items. I have seen how much faster those "sensors and interrior crap" you talk about break when not taken care of properly, but again...to each their own. You have to do what you are willing to accept.

Well, just for the record. I have only owned 2 vehicles brand new in my life, and several used vehicles-most with over 100k when I bought them. I have always used Fram filters. I don't know if they are the best or not. I would love to see a very sceintific study published. Anyway, I have never had an engine problem on any of my vehicles. I stick anally to the 3000K change plan. I currently have a 1995 saturn, that has always ran 5w-30 Penzoil and fram filters from day 1 of my first home oil change. It now has 185,000 miles on it. It uses 4 quarts per 3000 miles now. I have never run synthetics yet, but with our new 2500 HD I am looking for a few suggestions on when to change, what oil to use, and what filter as well. I have found a significant change in MPG based on the viscosity of oil used. Even "high mileage" brand oil effects my MPG and brings it down. My theory is that the high mileage additives that prevent breakdown of the oil also add friction to the oil, unlike the conventional oil that breaks down as it ages, thus reducing friction and increasing MPG. So for now I have stopped running the "high mileage" oil and have run the conventional oil. My trade off has been going from 3 qts to 4 quarts per change, however I have increased my mileage from 35 to 38MPG. With gas high, this easily pays off for the extra quart burned. -Sorry I have hijacked this and moved off the Diesel topic, but I thought it was worth sharing my experience.

Well, just for the record. I have only owned 2 vehicles brand new in my life, and several used vehicles-most with over 100k when I bought them. I have always used Fram filters. I don't know if they are the best or not. I would love to see a very sceintific study published. Anyway, I have never had an engine problem on any of my vehicles. I stick anally to the 3000K change plan. I currently have a 1995 saturn, that has always ran 5w-30 Penzoil and fram filters from day 1 of my first home oil change. It now has 185,000 miles on it. It uses 4 quarts per 3000 miles now. (I wouldn't feel good about this...I have an old 67' 327 with 180k which didn't burn a drop, but had very little compression left) I have never run synthetics yet, but with our new 2500 HD I am looking for a few suggestions on when to change, what oil to use, and what filter as well. I have found a significant change in MPG based on the viscosity of oil used. Even "high mileage" brand oil effects my MPG and brings it down. My theory is that the high mileage additives that prevent breakdown of the oil also add friction to the oil, unlike the conventional oil that breaks down as it ages, thus reducing friction and increasing MPG. (This is just the opposite from your theroy, as oil breaks down, you have increased friction....so iols which resist breakdown are WWAAAAAYYYY better for you engine overall) So for now I have stopped running the "high mileage" oil and have run the conventional oil. My trade off has been going from 3 qts to 4 quarts per change, however I have increased my mileage from 35 to 38MPG. With gas high, this easily pays off for the extra quart burned. -Sorry I have hijacked this and moved off the Diesel topic, but I thought it was worth sharing my experience.

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CBRJohn2000, you have raised some vailid points. I should have said less viscosity. As the oil thins out there is less viscosity. A higher viscosity oil will cause the engine more shear stress. Try running 20W50 instead of straight 30 wt and see what effect it has on your 327 gas mileage. Anyway regarding my post above, that is my theory why I get such good mileage on the old saturn with 1 kind of oil vs the other. I have a 350 with 150K, it does not burn much either, however I am suprised your 327 does not leak like a sive out of the rear main seal. I have yet to own a chevy small block (old generation 2 piece seal) that does not leak. I also have a 327, rear seal leaks on it. I did have an AMC 304 that had 160,000 on it however that never used a drop, however it like your 327 had very low compression and almost no power. You would think that in order to keep good compression your must have good rings and valves, however without one of these you would be/should burning oil-either past a worn ring or bad valve seat. Ahh a mystery??? I have done some searching on Fram filters online since this thread and I must admit there is some interesting information I was not aware of. Fram used to be the filter to buy. I hope that over time they have not cut corners like a lot of companies have to stay competative in manufacturing in this country.

Does anyone sell a cheaper filter then Fram? If so I'd buy it, all these oil threads are crap.
I use the cheapest oil they sell at wally world and fram filters (I like the grippy stuff)
Can't believe you guys waste your money on expensive synthetic stuff. Sure its better, but you not protecting the space shuttle.
Look at how many stock engine failures there are, hardly any. Most of the time you decide a vehicle is dead, its because all the little sensors and interior crap broke. You just get sick of fixing them.

you are also running a gasser, the fram dmax filter is the problem w/ hi start up oil pressure.