TheCorvetteKid

Hi guys.

I was picking up an oil filter for my 'Vette today at the local GM dealer and I happened to mention to him that I normally bought my filters at WalMart, but it looks like they've stopped carrying the AC Delco brand and are only selling Fram products now (at least up here in Canada).

He then replied that the AC Delco filters that WalMart was selling where different than the ones that you get at the GM dealership. When I asked him what was different - I mean, the part numbers are the same, they look the same, same logo, same colors... - he said that he didn't know what the difference was, but that they indeed where different.

Can anybody verify this? If it's true, does it also hold true for all the other AC Delco products that WalMart used to sell too?


[Modified by TheCorvetteKid, 5:49 PM 4/21/2004]

No Go

I think the dealer is trying to pull one over on you... :rolleyes:

96BLKTN

I have heard a dealship say this before. I think they want to sell it there. I doubt if it is different. It would cost more to make 2 different parts with the same #. But I don't know this for sure?

Nathan Plemons

Ah the rumors of retail stores. My dad swears up and down that the spark plugs that you get in places like Wal-Mart are no good junk, the parts that weren't good enough for the parts stores.

Well I've never bought spark plugs at Wal-Mart so I wouldn't know, but c'mon, that's a little bit crazy.

Strick

I bought a case of Ultra A C Delco filters UPF-52 (the black ones) and have been happy with them. I have a LT1.

vader86

The only difference is that GM is trying to rape you with charges.

jackdaroofer

:cheers: The big boys like Walmart have enough volume that a company can make a special production run of something just for them and yes, they can sacrifice a little quality to meet Wal Mart's cost demands.

Does this happen with oil filters, I don't know. I use the Delco 1218, but I change the filter every 1000 miles, so unless they reduce the filtration rate, I should be OK...and OH! I don;t buy from Wal Mart

:seeya

:steering:

dtorc4

Yeah, I'm sure the Mobil 1 in the 5 quart jugs for $19.xx at Walmart is not anywhere near as good as the Mobil 1 bought in individual quarts from the dealership for $6.xx a bottle.

:rolleyes: :skep:

Chevy Guy

Yes they are different. The ones at Walmart are $4 and the ones from the dealer are $14. Thats about it.

GlockLT4

:lol: :yesnod:

R23HTC

:withstupid:

HiRiser

I was just at the dealer and he charged me something like $5.50. Which is the same price as a Fram at PEP-Kragen-Whatever boys around here. :confused:

USA-VET

GM dealer

Mr6spd

STRICK: Where did you buy the UPF-52 Filters? I've been trying to find these but haven't been able to. Did you order these under a GM part number? If so, what number?

vetteseniorcit

A while back, I read a report (can't remember where) on different brands of oil filters. I do remember that Fram wasn't rated very high. I always ride the horse what brung me. My manual calls for an AC PF51 and that is what I use. I never buy them at a discount store or a "cut-rate" auto parts. Maybe it's for peace of mind, but "cheap" doesn't work for me when it comes to my Corvette. And if I really am piddling my money away, well, it's my money and my Corvette. :lol:

runner140*

The GM dealer was correct. There is a difference. THE PRICE ! :smash:

honas

I don't buy anything at wal-mart. They account for 10% of all chinese goods imported into this country! Check out this link:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html

rick lambert

To me it's amazing-a manufacturer will produce a gazillion parts-all Identical with a different Brand name on it. Dealerships are independently owned and can only stock what budget allows-Corporations can buy in bulk, and some of the products you buy at Safeway, with the Safeway name are infact the same as Major brand names-same canner, same cooker-different label ;) Filters-give me a break :rolleyes: Standard rec. change filter everyother oil change,most of us change it with every oil change-don't get ripped by :bs :seeya

MSR

actually, they really are different, but not necessarily due to the source. some of the ones at the dealer might be different too.

you can contact ac delco directly, they will confirm this. some of the new ac delco oil filters are made by champion labs, and some are imports. you have to know how to spot the difference by the baseplate when you peek in the box in order to know which is which. the ones at autozone (at least the PF12818s) appear to be the champion labs ones.

-michael

ZylaRace

Do yourself a favor, and don't buy FRAM. On the filter scale,... they are junk. Spend the extra $.10 and get something else. For the $, the FRAM's should be a whole lot cheaper.

Though the outside of the filter is different many of the major brands are all made by the same people. I don't recall if the Delco unit is/was a dup of another on the mkt, but it appears as though Champion is making them now/soon. As I recall, Champion is making the filters for 3->4 other major brands. If you cut them open and compare the innards,.. it is obvious which are dup's.
The Delco unit does/did have one of the highest filter area #'s on the mkt.