Advice needed from ppl who have done spin-on filter conversion

[ElGaspo]

As the title says...i've almost talked myself into doing this mod. now i'm looking for tried & true, sage advice. for example: is there only 1 type of these devices, but sold by different companies? if so, which outfit is the best as far as price/delivery time?

2nd and most important: i want to fit the biggest possible oil filter [a wix model] and have heard that the one for the mazda B3000 pickup might be a bit too long [ 4.828" ] and touch the plastic cover - could be a fire hazard? if so, what filter has the longest height that can safely fit?

i'm just so sick & tired of draining 3k mile oil and seeing it come out pitch black, it makes my heart skip a beat every time. there has got to be a way to provide more filtering media to better trap the soot in the oil.

Many thanx in advance. (bow)

 

[Kain]

Planning on doing this myself, but may wait until my powertrain warranty is up.

IIRC, ProtegeGarage has the spin-off kit.

What oil are you using that it turns pitch black after 3k? I've been using Pennzoil Plat 5w-30 since my first change, and the last change I did it was a nice golden honey color after ~4k miles. Obviously visual inspection of the oil is not precise and you should get a Blackstone analysis of the oil.

 

[Sport6]

Yea I have been looking into doing this for a while now but will probably wait a bit.

My last oil change, went about 4500 miles, with Amsoil 5w-30 and a wix filter came out pretty black. I have switched to Pennzoil Plat this time around, still using the wix filter though.

 

[ElGaspo]

every time i've changed the oil, it's been as black as midnite in a coal mine after 3k. lately i've been puttin in PP. last time i mixed 4 qts 5-30 + 2 qts 15-50 to raise the overall viscosity. in florida there's no real need for 5w, but i feel better with an upper number closer to 40 than to 30. i'm probably switching to the rotella 5-40 when i do the spin-on. i'm also looking forward to the UOA.

i'm still trying to figure out why the oil turns so black- is it the DI's finer fuel atomization that results in more soot, the small oil filter, or is it a result of the turbo? inquiring minds want to know. (scratch)

 

[ChrisK]

You do know that when detergent oils (which is what we use) turn black, it doesn't mean that it's bad. Its just doing its job and doing it well.

 

[paylew]

I use PP and it gets dark pretty quick but it never seems like it isn't doing it's job. I change it around 3 - 5k anyway depending on how much I drive so I don't worry about it too much. As for the spin-on, I haven't done it yet but I am planning on it just to make it easier.

 

[iplaythemic]

I purchased my conversion piece from PG. No complaints. And I use that gigantic WIX 51516 filter that you're talking about. I'm pretty sure it's tall enough that it would touch that plastic shield. I Dremeled a section out so I don't have to remove the shield every time I want to change my filter, and I don't see a reason why you couldn't do the same.

I would also recommend getting the quick drain valve from quickoildrainvalve.com (part F-106 and ADP-106). It keeps my oil changes quick and clean every time, and I wish I would have had this on previous vehicles.

 

[MikeHTally]

I put the conversion kit on at 4,650. Now at a bit over 8K. I'll likely have PP put in this weekend. I'm using K&N's HP 2009 filter. If it touches the splash shield, that doesn't concern me, unless it's noisy.

The one I bought is from PG. It's a Mazda part. I don't know if anyone else makes one. It took a bit of time to receive (< three weeks), but I was in no hurry. If you decide to go for it, make sure you have a stubby ratcheting box-end wrench, it'll make it a lot easier.

As for the oil being black, so what? To me that just means it's taken out the bad stuff.

 

[Speed3Rookie]

Yep...spin on conversion it tits. Did mine when the car hit 1200 miles. I use the NAPA Gold filter.

 

[RUMBLEFISH]

Did this on my first change and its an easy job and now with 19000 miles and no problem. I also made a little hatch with 2 brass hinges and clasp to drop down a little door on the plastic underpan to get out he filter real easy without the mess. Oh and the kit was from PG garage.

 

[Kain]

Oh and the kit was from PG garage.

The Department of Redundancy Department.

 

[IKE=MS3 08.5]

Did anyone mention that the you can get the kit from PG?

....sorry, I had to (rofl2)

 

[ElGaspo]

thanx for all the input, guys. some of you are really handy & creative [dremel out plastic shields, trap doors replete w/ hinges]. sheesh...i'm just gonna install it and call it a day. (friday)

 

[Hank3]

Installing my spin-on kit this weekend along with the qwik drain valve (w/adapter and nipple). I got some good pointers from MikeHTally, but does anyone else have other pointers? I haven't done an oil change on the Speed3 yet. I'm assuming you drain the oil first, put the qwik valve and accessories on; undo the existing filter; and then install the spin-on conversion bracket along with gasket? Is it that straighforward and simple? Or am i missing a step or two? Gonna get 6 qts of Pennzoil Platinum, too

 

[08cosmic3]

Did this on my first change and its an easy job and now with 19000 miles and no problem. I also made a little hatch with 2 brass hinges and clasp to drop down a little door on the plastic underpan to get out he filter real easy without the mess. Oh and the kit was from PG garage.

Do you have pictures of the flap? I've been wanting to do this and probably will on my next oil change. It would help me to see what you did, what hardware you used etc....