Well... I've heard fram was crap and I don't want to use it anymore...

Any good filters I can grab for a 97 3.8 V6? for 5 bucks or less? I was thinking SuperTech, STP, AC Delco, or Puralator... any of those any good?

 

AC delco is your best bet. It's rated nearly as high as the Mobil1, at a fraction of the cost.

 

Puralator and Wix are good filters.

 

i use ac delco for all the cars i do
cheap and it works great, what more can you ask for?

 

I;m a believer in the "you get what you pay for" school of thought. I use an oversized K&N filter. It ain't cheap, but in the long run it'll make you engine run better; longer. But if you must go under $5, AC Delco is the way to go.

 

do you go synthetic though too?
i find it reallly really expensive if you gotta pay that money for a filter every 3k (which is what i do)
maybe if you only change every 6k, then you can splurge on an expensive filter

 

Buy yourself a Supertech filter from Walmart and then head over to the local parts store and pick up a $10 Bosch filter. When you compare the two filters you will notice that the stamping in EXACTLY the same. Everything from the hole sizing to the lettering. They are the same filter but just painted different. I have even cut one of each open and the look the same on the inside too.

Save a few $$$ and buy a Supertech.

 

I use the wix filter, should have gotten the oversized one due to the header right there. Synthetic all the way, royal purple 10w30. I am good for 10k miles.

 

my dad works for exxonmobil, so we get the mobil1 filters AND oil for free.

 

You guys might want to take a second look at a delco filter. If you have ever looked at the insides of one they are exactly the same as a Fram.........both junk. Try a bosh or find a baldwin. Mobil 1 and k&n are always a sure thing.

 

I have been a Mobil 1 user for the last 3 yeas, switching to K&N this spring when i put back on the road.

 

I've been running NAPA Gold filters since I put the engine together, and they seem to work just fine. Now, I know this has been said before, but isn't this kind of like splitting hairs? Is 10%(made-up figure) more filtration and flow really going to do that much for your engine. Same thing goes for oil. I could see being very concerned with oil selection if the engines in our cars were expected to last 1,000,000 miles. However, I've had quite a few cars that did perfectly fine with conventional oil that was changed every 3,000 miles. These cars still ran great and burned no oil at 200,000+ miles. Now I'm not trying to start a flame war or say that cheap oil and filters are better, because they're not. In fact, I'm running M1 0W-40 and the above-mentioned filter, and as we all know it's not a cheap oil change. I change it every 3,000 mi. as well. I'm just curious as to how far(IE, how much $$$$) people will go to have the "best", no matter how small or inconsequential the gains.

 

I've used fram filters and penzoil in all my cars since I've owned them and never had a problem. The 2.8 in my camaro made it to 329,000 miles with no smoke or problems before I pulled it for a 305, 97 firebird's at 140,000 no problems, 89 cutlass is at 154,000 no problems, 98 Explorer is at 123,000 no problems.

 

Here is more info on oil filters: www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/