Just say 'no' to FRAM Tuffguard oil filters

Alright, here's the deal -

Late last year, I put an oil pressure gauge in my '94, and at the same time I changed the oil and filter. The filter was a FRAM Tuffguard (or however they spell it). I liked the grippy top on the filter. I was disappointed to see the oil pressure a bit low, but oh well.

As this year has moved along, the oil pressure got worse, until I had 30psi at 5000 RPM, with hot oil. Not good.

First, I checked the pressure gauge, by plugging the sender into an air pressure regulator and comparing the two gauges. The gauge (an Autometer) was spot on. Then, I checked the 'net. In several places I found people recommending Purolator filters and saying pretty bad things about the Fram. So, with nothing to lose, I bought the Purolator and installed it.

Presto, 75 psi cold, 50psi hot. What is going on here? I've never had a filter plug up so badly. As it so happens, I have a filter cutter, so I cut the base off of the Fram and lifted out the filter cartridge.

What crap! The pleats are all jammed together. There were no bits of metal inside, thank goodness.

In sum, I have to join the ranks of people warning of a Miata/Fram incompatibility.

Here is a Oil Filter study. I used to use Mazda filters until they changed the design. I now use Puralator on the Miata and Motorcraft on the EmPeeVee. According to the above study, the Motorcraft and Puralators seem to be the same filter.

Also a Miata specific study.

Yeah... sorry, I thought it was pretty much common knowledge that Fram filters were crap. The cardboard construction of them cause a fair number of them to not filter at all (i.e. the cardboard backing seperates and the oil goes around the filtering element) which would cause your low oil pressure.

I'm using the Honda filters on the S2000 and Fleetguard filters on my diesel pickup.

I've always heard great things about Wix filters (which appear to be the same as Napa in the above link) and as blackroadster said Purolator is great as well.