I HAVE THE ANSWER!!!! (Oil change w/o taking off the downpipe or switching housings)

[laserspeeddemon]

If you put a 3 inch down pipe on your 4G63 motor, then you may notice that in order to do a simple oil change you have to unbolt the down pipe. Some down pipe / O2 housing combinations make this task VERY difficult. Your options are usually not very easy. You can swap oil filter housing which requires you removing the timing belt cover. You can install oil filter relocation kit which can cost up to $150.
Or you can remove your down pipe every time you do an oil change

Then I got a hold of a DSM with an oil filter I've never seen before. I was able to remove the oil filter without removing down pipe using the OEM factory (water cooled) oil filter housing. I was shocked. So I went to the auto parts store and got the exact same filter and it went on JUST as easy as it came off. I was shocked. How has then gone unknown for SO long?

The secret part is CARQUEST Oil Filter. Part number 84092

DO NOT GET THE ONE THEY RECOMMEND (unless the recommend this part).

Again thats:

CARQUEST Oil Filter Part number 84092

 

[Red97Eclipseboy]

Lol! I've never heard of this. I use OEM 6-bolt filters. Even clears my dump-tube.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

Maybe he has an oil filter housing "sandwich" installed?

 

[ReYnd]

Haven't changed my oil since getting a 3" downpipe, but there appears to be plenty of room between it and the filter using the "recommended" Purolator offering, and the Napa Gold/WIX I have in reserve is of the same dimensions. Could get part numbers if anyone's interested.

 

[TSimage]

There is never a reason to buy a special filter? The 2 OEM 6bolt and 7bolt (the fat one and the skinny one) Both fit with EASE.

I would love for the OP to post up pictures of his setup. I just think the op has uber fat hands/arms and needs all that space ...

 

[El Cuervo]

Same here. I have a 3inch dp and I have never had problems with oil filter changes. I normally use the big fat filter an no issues here. Even if my dp was 4 inch, I'd still have plenty of space.

 

[Sirnixalot]

on my evo 3 with a megan O2 housing and 3" down pipe the tall skinny filter will not fit. The short and fat one still needs some convincing to squeeze in there. I have a left over oil filter relocation kit from a miata that i am thinking about putting where my ABS pump was

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Pics of your issue with the filter comparisons, I mean if your this enthusiastic about a new filter the old one must have been off a semi, right?

Next oil change I'll post the comparison. I used the Bosch Distance + oil filter. Which is skinner and longer than the car quest part.

 

[MY1GDSM]

I use the Mobil 1 M-105 oil filter usually or a Fram PH3950 or TG3950 if I can't get a M1 filter. though I prefer not to use the Fram filters, last few got stuck or had crappy threads had to return them...But I've never have had to pull my downpipe to replace the filter. I have a 90 Air to oil OFH... .

Although, I do have to pull it to replace my alternator

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Maybe that's the issue: The downpipe.

The Talon has an AHP Exhaust and the not sure what the Laser is using.

 

[dsm-onster]

I bet it has something to do with the angle of the downpipe, too. But who uses downpipes any more . . .

But seriously, thanks for the thread and I too would like to see your setup with different filters attached. Besure to give us the dimensions of the filter, radius and length.