I bought a Fram air filter today to put in my wifes eco boost and I noticed something different about it. I know nobody likes fram but I've always used their air filters without any issues. When I compaired the two filters I noticed the element in the fram filter was about 1/4" longer than the MC filter. Is this going to be ok to use? The filter fits in the box without any problems but I didn't know if the extra element will cause any restriction issues.

 

Actually, in most cases having a longer filter element means more surface area to capture dirt and move air through, which also translates to less-restriction (in a general sense). I believe on that "Oil Guy" website that Fram Air Filters were actually mid-range in efficiency and airflow (talking the paper units here). So I think you should be good. For gas engines, I wouldn't blink twice about using Fram air filters. Their oil filters are another story...

 

thanks Jus2shy. I thought it would be ok but I just wanted to get some other opinions. I agree with you on their oil filters, I refuse to use them also and only use MC filters.

 

I put a fram air filter in mine and no issues.

 

Never understood people's aversion to Fram products. I've used them lots of times over the years and have never had a problem. And other than an installation issue in a quick-lube place, I've never heard of anyone having any issues with them.

 

I've personally lost oil pressure and had other issues with an old 72' Satellite with a 440 big block that only happened shortly after a fresh oil change and I switched to a FRAM filter. It was a black FRAM filter and I believe it was called tough guard at the time (It was advertised as releasing teflon or something, as a kid I didn't know better at the time)? I didn't know what to think and I was always scared I would toast that engine with the ultra low oil pressure I received ever since that oil change. However I eventually sold the car off to someone who wasn't too concerned about that (they planned to tear down the motor anyways and build it into a drag racer). I have seen FRAM oil filters where the pleats actually came apart. Almost all the other filter manufacturers glue the pleats together. FRAM uses a metal plate that's bent around the last 2 remaining pleats to complete the filter media surface area. I've seen several FRAM oil filters cut open and some of the pleats were not secured properly and left gaps to allow oil to flow through with no filtration. I have no confidence in that method of construction hence why I would not use their oil filter products. Their air filters are another story and it seems like they do well enough with them for me to use them on most applications.

I don't know if they've changed their construction method, but last I heard it's still cardboard end caps and a mechanical plate fastener versus glue on the pleats.