New Filter Media Release

Lubrication Specialties, Inc. (LSI) has developed two new filter media specifically designed to filter engine oil more than 10x finer than an original OEM filter-down to just 2 microns. The more common of these two designs is known as the Cellulose media. This design is woven extremely tight in order to remove 96% of all contaminants including water and anti-freeze.

The second, and most recent design, is the Synthetic media. The Synthetic style allows for a more even flow of oil throughout the canister, and lasts 2-3 times longer than the Cellulose media. Each of the two styles are compared side-by-side in the illustration below. Find out which best suits your engine!

Side By Side Comparison

20 Responses to New Filter Media Release

  1. Franklin September 9, 2015 at 2:39 pm #

    Can you use toilet paper in your filters? and if so what brand is best?

    • Frantz Filters September 9, 2015 at 6:04 pm #

      We do not recommend using toilet paper as the media. Although it might have been used in the past, toilet paper does not provide the quality filtration that our media does today, and it will not fit into the canister without making modifications.

    • Bruce Howard October 21, 2020 at 12:36 am #

      We originally used single ply 500 count many years ago. You have to take off paper until it will fit snuggly in the canister. The new media fits nicely without altering the size.

  2. Norman Lawrence January 13, 2016 at 1:41 pm #

    I have used toilet paper as recommended since installing the filter in 1972. Why change? I have 30000 miles now on the motor and never experience any oil consumption. I have not changed rings or bearings only have replaced valves because of gasoline change to ethanol was added.

  3. Smokey July 13, 2016 at 1:00 am #

    I have been using the Frantz Filter since 1963 with toilet paper and have never encountered a problem. Yes, a few layers of the roll must be removed to make it fit, but when it is in, it is as tight, actually tighter than the new media.

    I also used to sell them and have never had a customer develop any problems.

    I also do not understand your chart where it says to change the filter every other oil change. We never change the oil, just the filter and replacement oil. Why the difference?

    • Levi July 13, 2016 at 5:56 pm #

      Most rolls of toilet paper on the shelf are not very dense, and do not fit snugly around the core of the Frantz filter. This allows unfiltered oil to pass through the filter canister. While yes, it is true that you do not need to change oil often at all (we base this on a lab analysis of the oil) many customers still like changing the oil every 5,000 miles. The 5,000 miles is also a good mark to know when to change the filter.

  4. P. Miller November 25, 2017 at 8:15 am #

    The Frantz filter system was chosen due to having an inexpensive media (Toilet Paper) and has been quite effective to remove contamination from my engine. The only issue I have is ordering the filter media because it’s not available locally. I do realize the automotive industry refuses to accept TP as a standard filter media, but it works well and is very inexpensive to use.

    I have used several different brands of tissue and pack it in tight. If the center core is a little loose, a few index cards will fill the gap to prevent the cardboard from collapsing against the standpipe. This website used to sell 2-ply toilet paper as replacement media,and it was expensive for just a few rolls shipped FOB Destination.

  5. Carl Schleg July 21, 2020 at 5:25 pm #

    I need to know will your filter system clean deep fat fryer oil well enough to use straight into a diesel engine?

    • Levi July 23, 2020 at 12:55 pm #

      Hi Carl, can you please clarify how you are planning to use this? As a bypass-fuel-filter or standalone application perhaps? Thanks!

  6. Glenn July 5, 2021 at 1:10 am #

    I am about to purchase a car from 1947 with a Frantz filter system installed. I am worried that on the 250km drive home, the older element might break down before I can renew it and put fresh oil in. Can I remove the filter element and put the canister back on in case this happens? Will oil flow still be OK? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

    • Levi July 6, 2021 at 1:30 pm #

      We do have filter media readily available for shipment, and would not recommend running without the element installed. Thanks!

      • Glenn July 7, 2021 at 10:54 pm #

        Thank you very much for your advice!

  7. Theoldguy November 24, 2021 at 2:16 am #

    I had two Franz toilet paper oil filter and I didn’t
    change oil for 68,000 miles on a Oldsmobile Delta 88

    the second car was a 1964 Checker station wagon
    and the very same results

    It amazed me how the oil would look like brand new
    in a very short time

    • Levi December 6, 2021 at 6:47 pm #

      Thank you!

  8. Bob Kimble June 7, 2022 at 4:13 am #

    I USED A FRANTZ OIL FILTER ON MY RACE CARS IN THE 80S.
    I also used the s ame type of filter for fuel.
    Each week at the track I would change both
    filters and add 1 can of oil. I ran one engine for two full years and when I sent it out to have it rebuilt, the builder said to run it another two years and bring it back. This is what I did.

    • Levi June 7, 2022 at 12:12 pm #

      Thanks Bob!

  9. Chuck Bateman March 12, 2023 at 4:26 pm #

    My Dad installed many Frantz filters in the 1960s/1970s. I have a bunch of new and used ones and also his toolbox that he used for installations. I grew up changing those toilet paper filters! I also have an old box of toilet paper rolls labelled/sold by Frantz. Questions: 1) do you think l can still use those old rolls? 2) Will the new media filters sold by Frantz fit my old filters? 3) Is this NOS stuff worth anything? 4) Is there a brand of off the shelf TP that’s recommended or might work? ….Thanks.

    • Levi June 5, 2023 at 8:17 pm #

      Since acquiring the Frantz brand, we fully redesigned the product line. In doing so, we did not effect the filter element dimensions in any way. That being said, we have not done an official test on an older kit from the 60-90’s. If you wish to order the element and give it a try and get back to us that would be greatly appreciated! In the event it does not work, we currently do not have an element for those kits so definitely keep us posted. Using the old “rolls” you have currently is the recommended choice. Off the shelf toilet paper is not recommended, as the current element for the kits is single-ply, tightly-wound cellulose made specifically for our filter kits. Hope that helps, thanks!

      • James September 7, 2023 at 6:01 am #

        What is the height for your cellulose media? The old Frantz’s used to use a 4 1/2″ tall paper. I know the previous version of your filter, made by George Walker Enterprises used a 4 1/4″, it used a retaining ring in the bottom of the canister.

        • Frantz Filters September 12, 2023 at 6:15 pm #

          Hello James, the width (diameter) is 4″ and height is 4.5″. Hope that helps, thanks!

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