Relocating Oil Filter - Good Idea?

[gtannenb]

I wanted to get your opinions on moving the oil filter to a more accessable location on my I6 engine. I tried changing it once and it was a bear. I have seen a product from Trans-Dapt that will allow the filter to be relocated. Anyone have experience doing this? If so, what is a good brand to use and where did you locate the filter?

Thanks.

[2002BlkLTZ]

I've never done it, but I've seen the kits. The only downside I can see is more connections so you increase your chances of something leaking, and they use rubber hoses I think, which will eventually wear out and could be pierced/cut by something accidentally. If you do a good job of routing/protecting them and account for the slight increase in the amount of oil you'll need, I don't see why there would be any problems with them.

[Bearcat]

I would be concerned with circulation of oil through the new hoses and filter. Is there enough pressure change across the filter to overcome the added distance the oil has to travel. and to force any trapped air out of the lines and filter. I wouldn't suggest it unless your TV is out of all warranties.

[torker]

My old s-10 blazer has it up in the drive-side fenderwell area stock. I always fill my filters with oil before I install. As long as it is vertically mounted. I always thought factory full flow filters were on the small side. As long as you stick with a good manuf. and run decent size lines I see no reason not to. Dave

[MajesticLT03]

I put a relocation kit on my old Talon.. the stock filter was half the size of a pop can and had a tendency to back itself out for some design flaw on the filter housing


I got a kit from Jegs (about 45 bucks) and it comes with everything you need.. I mounted the new location on the inside of the front bumper and used a Mustang 5.0 K&N filter (double the size of stock) and it worked like a charm..


the temps went down slightly due to increased size and the changing was very easy

[cliffwilson]

By design, the optimal location for the oil filter is adjacent to the oil pump. In the I-6 that is at the front of the engine because the oil pump is driven off the crankshaft snout. In your S-10, it was aft because the oil pump is driven off the distributor gear at the rear of the engine. I recommend you leave the oil filter where it is. Below is a picture of the Cal-Van tools cam lock filter wrench and a 3/8 inch wobble extension. The wrench strongly locks on the base of the filter and the wobble extension provides the give you need to bypass the interference from the sway bar and chassis crossmember. I have had no problems using these tools with all the I-6 filters I've changed, even the overly torqued ones.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f231/cparkerwilson/OilFilterWrench1.jpg

[MTPockets]

I guess it's a matter of opinion, but I think the oil filter location on the 4.2L is a piece of cake. I would not suggest a remote oil filter kit either. I've seen several S-10 4.3's blow an oil hose over the years due to their OEM remote filter hoses.

Joel