If anything, the Fram will show you how NOT to build a high performance oil filter. Notice that the endcaps are cardboard. They appear similar to the chipboard that you would find at the back of a legal paper pad. I could pull outward from the edge of the endcap and little bits of paper would stick to my fingers. The author of the car filter study reports having engine damage caused by bits of paper and glue from one of these filters floating about in his engine. Note that the front seal and the bypass valve assembly both press-fit to the inside of the cardboard endcap. The seal is not very good, and could possibly allow dirty oil to leak back into the engine. Externally, the filter has only a few threads to engage the mount, and the gasket is a square section, which does not offer as good a seal as a semi O-ring type, nor does it allow good deformation or easy removal. This unit is the largest and lightest of the lot. AVOID THIS FILTER.

This filter uses a square gasket like some others in this list, but unlike any others, it does not use metal crimps to hold the gasket in place. The gasket has small ***** around the inside that loosely grip the mount. The filter element mates at the front with a rubber seal, and has an integral bypass valve that is rubber sealed at the back. Like the NAPA/WIX filter, this filter uses a much narrower element than most. In addition, it has many more pleats than any other.

The bypass valve is at the front of the filter element, instead of the back, like the others. It is a separate assembly that press fits into the filter element.The front seal uses a sharp sealing surface the keeps the seal very firmly captive between the threads and the bypass assembly. All in all, a good looking filter. I have my reservations about the filter element being so small, but the filter is well constructed. This filter is manufactured in Gastonia, North Carolina. Since I live not too far away, I might attempt to get down to their factory offices to see if I can find someone with good information.

This could be my new favorite filter. The nut on the can allows for easy removal and is drilled for safety wire! For the space constrained, the nut can be a blessing or a curse. You won't need to contort yourself to get a filter wrench on it, but if you are alredy short on clearance to your pipes or other obstructions, fugeddaboudit. The nut adds about 3/8th's of an inch to the overall length. The bypass valve is sealed with a rubber gasket. The mouting gasket is semi-O-ring. The filter element itself is dyed K & N's signature red color. How cute (for something you wouldn't ordinarily see)!