Just adding for info and questions. I understand not having any problems with oil filters brands - but what testing has one done with lets say, oil analysis for monitoring wear metals and so forth to see how good or bad they are from using a filter that really offers poorly uneven constructed designed filter media ?

Media pleats that are made inconsistently in depths and spacing will have filter micron ratings all over the board. Meaning a wide range of particles and wear metal that can pass thru the larger openings of the filter media plus poor oil flow control as well,.

Basis on this and facts about how filtration and its fines lines between flow and filtering, does anyone have real world data comparing tests between Fram filters and other oil filters ? IMO the Frams especially the 3 dollar ones off the shelf -- the oil analysis for wear metals ppm count will be higher compared to a real quality oil filter.

FWIW

http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/articl...lterstudy.html

Like I said the issue will never be answered to everyone's approval. We all have our reasons. Maybe it was a failure or maybe it was a you tube video but once you are spooked and there is other options you are done. Hell some people wont buy oil at walmart but will buy the same brand in the same bottle at an auto parts store.
All I know is I did a lot of research on this a couple years back and I'm pretty sure I found this on OSO.
Oil Filters fits most Mercruisers
FYI:The thread type on the filter is 13/16-16.


Fram: PH5..Best Flowing...best for racing applications HP4 and the HP series, DG5, PH13 (no anti drainback)
Pureolator: L34631
Purolator Pure One: PL34631...Great flow, capture and price
AC: PF1218, PF932...best "cheap priced filter"
Motorcraft: FL-12A
NAPA: 1060, 1060gold...
Wix: 51060
Wix Racing: 51060R, 51061R R= Racing...great overall
K&N: HP3002...very good
Baldwin: B1428
Amsoil: SDF-24...best flowing and best capturing
Hastings: LF279
Fleetguard: LF3679
Mercruiser: 35-802885Q
Mobil 1: M1-302 or M1-111..great capture..very good flow
Kendall: K31
Penzoil: PZ45
Quaker State: QS5
Shell: S63, SH38
Texaco: T38, T38B
Warner: PH1218
STP: S01218
Valvoline: V056
Mercury: HP Racing filter...very good design

Ya, I noticed it one day when I was looking at their website. All the builds where the oil filter was visible looked like a basic Fram. Now, they may have shipped differently (which wouldn't make sense) but that's how they're posted.

Yes, about a 75% price hike.

But yes, there is a difference; flow rate difference as well as a filtration difference.

Yes, their now is a difference because there is no longer Napa Gold Racing filters. If you order a racing one from Napa, it ill be a Wix in a Wix box.

Remember, the racing filter has a R at the end of the part #.

Example, you want a Napa gold 1060 in a racing version. You would ask for a 1060R. Well, that doesn't exist anymore and thus will get a 51060R Wix.

how much longer is the wix 61 vs 60

1060

Attributes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=6/20
Burst Pressure: 270 psi
Filter O.D. (Inches): 3.66 in.
Filter O.D. (mm): 93 mm
Flow Rate: 9 - 11 gpm
Gasket I.D. (Inches): 3.1"
Gasket I.D. (mm): 79 mm
Gasket O.D. (Inches): 3.444"
Gasket O.D. (mm): 87 mm
Height (Inches): 5.178 in.
Height (mm): 131 mm
Media Type: Enhanced Cellulose
Micron Rating: 21 Micron
Style: Spin-on Oil Filter
Thread Size (Inches): 13/16-16 in.

1061
Attributes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=6/20
Burst Pressure: 285 psi
Filter O.D. (Inches): 3.66 in.
Filter O.D. (mm): 93 mm
Flow Rate: 9 - 11 gpm
Gasket I.D. (Inches): 3.1"
Gasket I.D. (mm): 79 mm
Gasket O.D. (Inches): 3.444"
Gasket O.D. (mm): 87 mm
Height (Inches): 5.178 in.
Height (mm): 131 mm
Media Type: Enhanced Cellulose
Micron Rating: 21 Micron
Style: Spin-on Oil Filter
Thread Size (Inches): 13/16-16 in.

51060R
Has Anti Drain Back Valve
Attributes
Filter O.D. (Inches): 3.6 in.
Filter O.D. (mm): 91 mm
Flow Rate: 28 gpm
Gasket I.D. (Inches): 3.1"
Gasket I.D. (mm): 79 mm
Gasket O.D. (Inches): 3.44"
Gasket O.D. (mm): 87 mm
Height (Inches): 5.17 in.
Height (mm): 131 mm
Micron Rating: 61 Micron
Style: Spin-on Oil Filter
Thread Size (Inches): 13/16-16 in.

51061R
No anti-drain back valve
Attributes
Filter O.D. (Inches): 3.6 in.
Filter O.D. (mm): 91 mm
Flow Rate: 28 gpm
Gasket I.D. (Inches): 3.1"
Gasket I.D. (mm): 79 mm
Gasket O.D. (Inches): 3.44"
Gasket O.D. (mm): 87 mm
Height (Inches): 5.17 in.
Height (mm): 131 mm
Micron Rating: 61 Micron
Style: Spin-on Oil Filter
Thread Size (Inches): 13/16-16 in.

on another site they were calling the 1061 a long filter, guess not

Every "Gold" compared to "R" filter I've had was exactly the same size.