8 Top GM Oil Filters Cut Open - 2 Clear Winners! Fram, Bosch, Wix, Purolator, AC Delco

8 popular GM filters compared. All of these filters are very good and imho 2 are outstanding.

This is the filter spec is used on my stroked LT1 383 powered 1992 Corvette (which is why I was interested in doing this comparison), and, this is a super popular filter, used in millions of GM cars. Models listed below.

Update: even though I purchased all filter new, the Fram Titanium was slightly old stock, and it's construction is actually exactly like the Fram Ultra filter.

Full Disclosure: my 1992 Corvette has a pretty rare Lingenfelter built engine and it is amazing. I feel very lucky to be the owner of this car. It sees numerous track and autocross days each year, and it's 30+ years old, so choosing the very best available filter and oil for optimal performance and protection is super important to me. I was using a Mobil 1 filter (a good option) and, thanks to doing this comparison, moving forward I will be using a Bosch Premium 3430 filter paired with Mobil 1 Supercar 5w50 oil.

Every filter tested would be a good choice. The Bosch Premium's 99% at 20 micron rating, lots of pleats / filter area, large ovalized inlet holes and solid bottom plate with no bypass valve were the qualities that in combination led to me selecting it for my Lingenfelter Corvette. Oil will be changed at least annually not more than 3,000 mile OCIs.

All 8 Filters are ultimately made by 2 parent companies: First Brands (Fram, Champion Labs - AC Delco) and Mann-Hummel (Purolator, Wix, Bosch, Mobil 1).

All Applications of this Filter Spec:
AM General Hummer (1995-96)

Buick Century (1982-89)
Buick Commercial Chassis (1994-96)
Buick Electra (1985)
Buick Regal (1982-93)
Buick Roadmaster (1994-96)
Buick Skyhawk (1982-89)
Buick Skylark (1980-83)

Cadillac Cimarron (1982-86)
Cadillac Commercial Chassis (1985-96)
Cadillac DeVille (1985)
Cadillac Escalade (1999-00)
Cadillac Fleetwood (1985-96)

Checker Marathon (1980-82)

Chevrolet Astro (1985-99)
Chevrolet Beretta (1987-91)
Chevrolet Blazer (1992-05)
Chevrolet C10 Pickup (1985-86)
Chevrolet C1500 Pickup (1988-98)
Chevrolet C20 Pickup (1985-86)
Chevrolet C2500 Pickup (1988-95)
Chevrolet Camaro (1981-92)
Chevrolet Caprice (1981-96)
Chevrolet Cavalier (1982-91)
Chevrolet Celebrity (1982-90)
Chevrolet Citation (1980-83)
Chevrolet Commercial Chassis (1994)
Chevrolet Corsica (1987-91)
Chevrolet Corvette (1992-96)
Chevrolet El Camino (1981-87)
Chevrolet Express 1500 Van (1996-99)
Chevrolet Express 2500 Van (1996-99)
Chevrolet G10 Van (1985-95)
Chevrolet G20 Van (1985-95)
Chevrolet G30 Van (1985-96)
Chevrolet Impala (1981-85)
Chevrolet Impala SS (1994-96)
Chevrolet K10 Pickup (1985-86)
Chevrolet K1500 Pickup (1988-99)
Chevrolet K1500 Suburban (1992-99)
Chevrolet K20 Pickup (1985)
Chevrolet K2500 Pickup (1988-00)
Chevrolet K2500 Suburban (1992-99)
Chevrolet K3500 Pickup (1988-00)
Chevrolet Lumina (1990-97)
Chevrolet Lumina APV (1990-94)
Chevrolet Malibu (1981-83)
Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1982-97)
Chevrolet P30 Van (1990-98)
Chevrolet R10 Pickup (1987)
Chevrolet R20 Pickup (1987)
Chevrolet S-10 Blazer (1983-94)
Chevrolet S-10 Pickup (1982-04)
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup (1999)
Chevrolet Tahoe (1995-00)
Chevrolet V10 Pickup (1987)

GMC C1500 Pickup (1985-98)
GMC C2500 Pickup (1985-94)
GMC Caballero (1981-87)
GMC Envoy (1998-01)
GMC G1500 Van (1985-95)
GMC G2500 Van (1985-95)
GMC G3500 Van (1985-96)
GMC Jimmy (1995-05)
GMC K1500 Pickup (1985-99)
GMC K1500 Suburban (1992-99)
GMC K2500 Pickup (1985-00)
GMC K2500 Suburban (1992-99)
GMC K3500 Pickup (1988-00)
GMC P3500 Van (1990-99)
GMC P4500 Van (1985-90)
GMC R1500 Pickup (1987)
GMC R2500 Pickup (1987)
GMC S-15 Jimmy (1983-94)
GMC S-15 Pickup (1982-90)
GMC Safari (1985-99)
GMC Savana 1500 Van (1996-99)
GMC Savana 2500 Van (1996-99)
GMC Savana 3500 Van (1997)
GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup (1995-99)
GMC Sierra 2500 Pickup (1995-97)
GMC Sierra 3500 Pickup (1995-97)
GMC Sonoma Pickup (1991-04)
GMC Syclone (1991-92)
GMC Typhoon (1992-93)
GMC V1500 Pickup (1987)
GMC Yukon (1992-00)
GMC Yukon Denali (1999-00)

Isuzu Hombre (1997-00)

Oldsmobile 98 (1985)
Oldsmobile Bravada (1991-01)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais (1982-84)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (1982-89)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser (1987-88)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1982-96)
Oldsmobile Firenza (1982-88)
Oldsmobile Omega (1980-83)
Oldsmobile Silhouette (1990-95)

Pontiac 6000 (1982-91)
Pontiac Bonneville (1986)
Pontiac Fiero (1984-88)
Pontiac Firebird (1988-92)
Pontiac Grand LeMans (1981)
Pontiac Grand Prix (1981-96)
Pontiac J2000 (1982-83)
Pontiac J2000 Sunbird (1984-85)
Pontiac LeMans (1981)
Pontiac Parisienne (1983-86)
Pontiac Phoenix (1980-83)
Pontiac Sunbird (1985-86)
Pontiac Tempest (1987-91)
Pontiac Trans Sport (1990-94)

[JodieMix]

The Wix bypass is the best design on that table. You don’t understand the design, doesn’t make it “ clunky” lol…

[ryanstage]

Sorry your focusing on the wrong things and simply cutting them apart tells you squat without knowing flow rates and backpressure. The very worst thing a oil filter can do is starve the engine from high backpressure that damages both the engine and oil pump. Wix has one of the best reputations out there and looking at the back plate and beefy spring would be my 1st pick hands down.

[todd]

That “clunky functioning” Wix bypass valve is designed to bypass the oil BEFORE it back washes the dirt from the exterior filter media in the bypass mode.

[yngve]

I have used Bosch filters only, on my 15 years old VW T5 2.5 TDI. Together with Castrol Edge LL 5w30, changin every 20000 km, it's working good.

[lukeWiz]

where the hell did you get the filtration numbers on that purolator? That’s a 25 micron at 99% efficiency.

[ccameo]

Change your oil every 5K with good oil and filter Thats all it takes to keep a engine healthy Don't cheap out and no need for most expensive for every day driver

[Pontiacdreams]

A visual inspection doesn’t tell the whole story but thank you.

[kellismith]

In what world is a bypass not supposed to be present?

[mnrodriguez]

I have used mostly Mobil 1 and Wix XP for so many years without a p roblem...K&N also!

[theMoney]

Never witnessed an engine suffering lubrication related damage using mid-level oil filters changed at regular intervals.

[darrenporsch]

I use the fram Ultras on my car It's a different model number The filter media looks exactly like the one on the titanium It has that reddish pink color. My models an XG918 it's a cartridge style filter so no can

[solardiver]

Flow rate is also VERY important. The Mobil 1 is 30 micron and has the best flow rate.

[whirlybird]

There seems to be zero consideration for the length of the filter medium.

[canerkaragoz]

I've noticed that some oil filters have the circle holes and some have the rectangular holes my concern with the rectangular holes is that it can cause lower oil flows having this design I love the videos keep up the great work

[johnrommelt]

With the talk about Bypass..Each vehicle engine has a specific Bypass PSI Requirement.
Do all or any of these meet this Bypass Requirement Accurately?

[dimmacommunication]

We don't have the micron rating here in Europe for cartirdge filters ( not screw on type), would be cool to have.

[williamwaters]

Forget about how they are constructed, how well does each one filter small particles of dirt? Looks can be deceiving.

[markwarnberg]

There are two factors that determine a good filter, Filtration and Flowability. If the filter is too restictive then the oil will just go through the by-pass. Keeping an eye on the condition of the oil tells you if the filter is doing it´s job.

[ChicagoRob]

The high-end Frams are decent, but I question the rather small holes in the inner core.

[thefinalroman]

1:53 look at the tests it crushes every other filter...