I have a 79 RX-7.

When buying an oil filter recently, I noticed that the listed Fram filter for the 79 RX-7 is longer, but has the same diameter, as some other brand oil filters for the 79.

I also noticed that the Fram oil filter for the 80 and 81 RX-7 are shorte than the 79 RX-7 filter but have the same diameter, and are the same as the non-Fram brands 79 RX-7 oil filter.

Has anyone else noticed this and understands why that is? Also, does it really make any difference?

Also, what brand motor oils and viscosity do the experts recommend for the 79 RX-7?

Thanks!

John

 

nice find i dont know if it there is a certain reason or not or if it matters but,i reccomend castrol gtx or havoline for rotary motors and using K&N oil filters. If you wish to go synthetic purple royal is good.


Im in Wv and i use 10w-30.

 

Get the taller one if you've got the room.

 

A lot of people talk crap about Fram filters, so I started using NAPA Gold filters. Someone did a study a whild back and the WIX (NAPA Gold) were said to have performed the best, not that I can tell. I had noticed that the 79 filter was different from the 80-ups, it seems like the larger ones would be better. I have a 79 and I run Castrol GTX 20w-50.

 

The tall Napa Gold filter is 1347. I use it.

 

I've got the NAPA Gold 1356, which is pretty small. It is listed as the right filter in the NAPA book, but would running the larger one be better (it seems like it would be)? Maybe I'll get that one next time.

 

Every filter I've ever put on my '79 has been a Fram PH2849...absolutely no problems. There are a lot of people on here that will talk crap about Fram, but I've used nothing but Fram on all my vehicles for over 25 years. The only engine failure I've had was after I had somneone else change my oil (the only time EVER), and they put a Wix filter on it. This isn't meant to knock Wix...I know they make great filters. But, those are the facts. I'll stick with Fram.

Rich

 

Yark79, the larger one would be better as long as you've got the room.

64mgb, I used to use that filter before I switched to Napa Gold 1347. No problems with either. I've seen the guts of both and the Napa filter looks to be of higher quality construction. Heh, my friend is like you, "but I've always used Fram". Well, good. Use whatever you like best.

 

Heres a nice writeup comparing the oil filters by disassembling them.

BTW, I'm now using the Purolator recommended in this writeup.

I also noticed over time that the same oil filter has been speced now for 80-85 12a Mazdas. It used to be the 80 filter was slightly larger in diameter and taller but now all I can get according to the books at the store are the shorties. And this is the case across the board on all the filter mfg. lines that I can tell.

 

It makes it easier for the bookmakers. It's easy to cross-reference the taller filter if you have the Fram and/or Napa numbers.