Mazda 3 - Cartridge to Spin On Conversion
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Yes the cartridge filters do have a bypass valve. Its part of the permanent cartridge assembly on the engine. You will see it when you do the conversion. I did the conversion a few months ago and will never go back. Make sure you get the right conversion kit. There is a great DIY on the Mazda3 forums.
Here is the kit I ordered:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/store/product.php?productid=16840&cat=288&page=1
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/store/product.php?productid=16840&cat=288&page=1
Yeah .. I dunno If I should spend money .. but I Guess its good investment .. 
Anyone know if, and if so where, I can get one of these for the Toyota 2GR-FE engine (EDIT: this is the 3.5L V-6 currently seen in the Avalon, Camry, Sienna, RAV, and several Lexi)? I saw mention of one maybe 18 months ago, but can't find it now, and I've become REALLY tired of the mess that is this engine's on-the-bottom cartridge filter. . .
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The real question is why do the 2.0s have spin on and the 2.3s have a cartridge? What I hate is the stupid plastic skid plate that has to come off to get to the filter.
Anybody ever remove the skid plate thingy altogether? It's crossed my mind more than once.
Anybody ever remove the skid plate thingy altogether? It's crossed my mind more than once.
It's better for aerodynamics and engine compartment cleanliness if you leave it in place.
As for the conversion..I really don't see the point. I remove the cartridge in the same manner that I would remove a spin-on. Oil runs down the canister and over my hand just like a spin-on would. But if you prefer a cleaner method, the canister has a drain plug.
Just so you're aware...if you're under warranty and your engine suffers a failure that they can trace back to the oil, they'll spot that conversion and will very likely hand you an invoice for a new engine.
As for the conversion..I really don't see the point. I remove the cartridge in the same manner that I would remove a spin-on. Oil runs down the canister and over my hand just like a spin-on would. But if you prefer a cleaner method, the canister has a drain plug.
Just so you're aware...if you're under warranty and your engine suffers a failure that they can trace back to the oil, they'll spot that conversion and will very likely hand you an invoice for a new engine.
I cut a hole out so I don't have to remove it each time I change the oil. It's a stupid set up. Cutting a small hole out has caused no noise. Very easy to remove now. A lot of wear and tear occurs from just removing it every so often.
It's not a cheap part to replace either! $179!!! JOKE
It's not a cheap part to replace either! $179!!! JOKE
I cut a hole in the splash shield too. Its a good idea to leave it on because:
1) It helps air flow through the radiator
2) It protects the oil filter, oil pan and AT/MT pan from small debris
3) It protects the low mounted a/c compressor and belt
4) It prevents water from splashing up into everything
To everyone asking why; I did the conversion so I could run a bigger filter mostly, and it also opens up a few more choices for filters. I wouldn't say its EASIER to change, but I do stay a lot cleaner with the spin on. I don't buy the more waste argument. Its still a dirty oil soaked filter. One has a metal casing and one doesn't. Whats the difference?
1) It helps air flow through the radiator
2) It protects the oil filter, oil pan and AT/MT pan from small debris
3) It protects the low mounted a/c compressor and belt
4) It prevents water from splashing up into everything
To everyone asking why; I did the conversion so I could run a bigger filter mostly, and it also opens up a few more choices for filters. I wouldn't say its EASIER to change, but I do stay a lot cleaner with the spin on. I don't buy the more waste argument. Its still a dirty oil soaked filter. One has a metal casing and one doesn't. Whats the difference?
I cut the hole as well, as the bolts would rust and be difficult to remove, especially the ones at the corners. At one point I could not remove one bolt as the nut was spinning, after much pain in removing it I just zip tied the cover. But now with the hole, oil changas are a snap
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Originally Posted By: sunfire
Why would you want to convert to spin on? I think the cartridge design is superior, less wasteful. And its easier to inspect the filter element without having to cut open a can.
Have you done the one on the Toyota 2GR engine??? It's totally inferior to a spin-on can filter.
First, it has two places to leak, instead of just one. You have the main O-ring on the large filter body. Then you have the silly little drain port cover, with it's own little O-ring.
Second, both O-rings require careful manual handling and placement. If you get them in the wrong place, don't fully lube one of them before closing, or just pinch one inadvertently, you will suddenly be risking a massive fatal oil leak.
Third, it's very easy to get the little drain cover torqued too tight so that you can't get it off next time. Not a biggie as far as the change goes -- you can just ignore it, and let the oil spill everywhere as you get the main cannister unscrewed. Of course, the engineers designed the O-rings for one-time use. So how long can you let this go?
Fourth, the cannister is on the bottom of the engine. I could see it up top, like GM does, but what do you gain by having to screw with this Rube Goldberg mess while lying on your back? Zero.
Fifth, the removable cartridge housing is made of aluminum. If at some point during the car's life, you nick one of the critical surfaces, you'll either get an automatic leak, or perhaps a burr that can destroy your O-ring.
Finally, I can swap spin-on filters about 5x faster than I can get the wife's 2GR filter element replaced. Sorry, but this thing just plain sucks.
Why would you want to convert to spin on? I think the cartridge design is superior, less wasteful. And its easier to inspect the filter element without having to cut open a can.
Have you done the one on the Toyota 2GR engine??? It's totally inferior to a spin-on can filter.
First, it has two places to leak, instead of just one. You have the main O-ring on the large filter body. Then you have the silly little drain port cover, with it's own little O-ring.
Second, both O-rings require careful manual handling and placement. If you get them in the wrong place, don't fully lube one of them before closing, or just pinch one inadvertently, you will suddenly be risking a massive fatal oil leak.
Third, it's very easy to get the little drain cover torqued too tight so that you can't get it off next time. Not a biggie as far as the change goes -- you can just ignore it, and let the oil spill everywhere as you get the main cannister unscrewed. Of course, the engineers designed the O-rings for one-time use. So how long can you let this go?
Fourth, the cannister is on the bottom of the engine. I could see it up top, like GM does, but what do you gain by having to screw with this Rube Goldberg mess while lying on your back? Zero.
Fifth, the removable cartridge housing is made of aluminum. If at some point during the car's life, you nick one of the critical surfaces, you'll either get an automatic leak, or perhaps a burr that can destroy your O-ring.
Finally, I can swap spin-on filters about 5x faster than I can get the wife's 2GR filter element replaced. Sorry, but this thing just plain sucks.
Originally Posted By: sunfire
Why would you want to convert to spin on? I think the cartridge design is superior, less wasteful. And its easier to inspect the filter element without having to cut open a can.
Sunfire, are you running an Ecotec? I love the canister on my Cavalier even with the rip off pricing for elements. Oil changes are much faster, easier, and cleaner. Never want to go back to a spin on.
I think a certain Mazda engineer or perhaps a bean counter needs a baseball bat applied to their head.
Why would you want to convert to spin on? I think the cartridge design is superior, less wasteful. And its easier to inspect the filter element without having to cut open a can.
Sunfire, are you running an Ecotec? I love the canister on my Cavalier even with the rip off pricing for elements. Oil changes are much faster, easier, and cleaner. Never want to go back to a spin on.
I think a certain Mazda engineer or perhaps a bean counter needs a baseball bat applied to their head.
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