home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Xref: sparky rec.autos:26219 rec.autos.tech:15168 rec.autos.vw:6297
- Path: sparky!uunet!noc.near.net!hri.com!spool.mu.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cis.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!sunova!sscvx1.ssc.gov!schludermann
- From: schludermann@sscvx1.ssc.gov
- Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech,rec.autos.vw
- Subject: Re: FRAM filters, what do the numbers mean?
- Message-ID: <1992Nov9.190222.1@sscvx1.ssc.gov>
- Date: 10 Nov 92 01:02:22 GMT
- References: <BxGwux.GC1@Interlan.com>
- Sender: usenet@sunova.ssc.gov (News Admin)
- Organization: Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory
- Lines: 74
- Nntp-Posting-Host: sscvx1
-
- In article <BxGwux.GC1@Interlan.com>, powell@interlan.interlan.com (Glen D. Powell) writes:
- >
- >
- > Reprinted from the November '92 issue of _european car_ magazine
- > and is a "side bar" to "Project 924", a well worn 924 that they
- > are rebuilding.
- >
- > page 53
- >
- > Fram oil filters
- > ----------------
- >
- > For the last several years, we have recommended Fram Wear Guard oil
- > filters because of the protection they afford automobile engines. Now,
- > Fram has come out with an improved oil filter, which goes by the name
- > Extra Guard.
- >
- > Fram filters have always had good single-pass efficiency ratings.
- > The higher the single-pass efficiency, the more particle will be removed
- > from the oil each time the oil passes through the filter. Screen type
- > surface filters have poor single-pass efficiency, while depth filters
- > (such as "toilet ((no, not toyota, ed.)) paper" filters) generally have
- > high singel-pass efficiency. During Fram's on-going testing program, they
- > determined that single-pass efficiency is one of the best ways of
- > determining filter effectivness. Thus, the goal was to better their already
- > good single-pass efficiency.
- >
- > The trade-off is that as single-pass efficiency rises, restriction often
- > rises, too. Thus, a screen-type filter (when clean) offers little restriction,
- > while a "toilet paper" filter is very restrictive.
- >
- > To increase single-pass efficiency while controlling restrictiveness,
- > Fram switched from their highly evolved resin-coated cellulose fiber
- > element to a hybrid element made of glass fibers and resin-coated
- > cellulose fibers. The coated cellulose fibers give the element the strength
- > it needs (very omportant in Volkswagen applications, as we have learned),
- > while the glass fibers act as barbs to catch particles. New construction
- > techniques give the Fram Extra Guard filter the characteristics of both a
- > surface filter and a depth filter.
- >
- > The result is an increase in single-pass efficiency from 92.4% in the
- > Wear Guard series to 96.3% in the Extra Guard Series, with no increase in
- > restrictiveness (both filters are rated only 3 psi pressure drop).
- >
- > Project 924 may have been abused in the past, but from now on it gest
- > nothing but the best.
- >
- > -glen
- >
-
-
-
- A few points missing here. The efficency rating given here is at what
- particle size? The good pleated surface filters give out at 10-15 microns.
- Dirt particles this size are within the wear zone for engines. Depth type
- filters usually go down to 4 microns. In addition to being able to capture
- and retain combustion moisture, which will react with the oxygen, petroleum
- free radicals, combustion byproducts and heat to form acids, sludge & varnish.
- True the pressure drop across the filter is greater for depth filters, that
- in it's self is no indication of loss of lubrication. In my experience the
- depth filters never lost more than 15 psi at 5000-7000+rpm (in a datsun). An
- abrupt change in direction did more to affect the oil pressure. IMHO I'd
- rather experience a brief period of by-passing cleaner oil than a grittier
- slurry. The thing to do is install one of those high efficency submicronic
- bypass filters and a high efficency air filter. Ask for the specs. There are
- astm standard tests that measures this performance. I've always gone by the
- creed if it is really that good they will show you why & how. Fram does not
- publish the test results, except what is benifical for them (make sense of
- course). But then again maybe they really do have something "new & improved"
- here.
-
- Kris
-
- "figures don't lie but liars can sure figure"
-