:iagree: Use the Search, Scooby, Let go, trust your feelings.

just making sure...can you reuse the magnetic drain plug? just have to replace that crush washer everytime correct?

Correct. Drain plug = reusable. Crush Washer = replaceable. I have seen some people reuse a non-crush washer, but for piece of mind and the $1 apiece they cost at the local dealership, I use a new crush washer every time.

def gonna get the magnetic drain plug and stock up on crush washers.
how many people are actually running the filtermag? not sure if i should get it or not.

also, what is a good brand for the magnetic drain plug?

http://www.the370z.com/members/fuct-...1000-miles.jpg

ive been running the industrial strength filtermag since day one.

Magnetic Drain Plug Necessary?
 

Someone please enlighten me on this. If there were some ferrous (iron, steel) particles suspended in the oil pan, wouldn't the filter capture it there? I just don't get the need for a magnetic drain plug, but maybe I'm missing something.

It's for EXTRA protection, yeah in THEORY it's the filter's job, but maybe that piece of metal is big enough and your oil is flowing fast enough to blow a hole through the filter?
It's more preventative and/or, 'if you're gonna do it, might as well overdo it'

I've never cut my filter open to look at it but I've seen stuff on the tip of the magnetic drain plug. I thought there were pics on the web of folks who had cut the filters in half and you could see the stuff trapped on the side of the filter. If you don't want to spring for the $25 and put it on then don't. I know I sleep better at night knowing it's on there. :)

Just wanted to say thanks for the great write up and info from all.
I will reference this thread if I ever have to write a paper on oils.

:tup:

Alternate to Tiny 370Z Oil Filter
 

Sorry if this has been covered here, but I ain't readin' all these posts to find out.

I agree, ridiculously small. I'll be damnified if I'll use the stock pencil sized motorcycle filter on this car. I've been using oversized filters on my Z since the last couple changes. Here are a couple filters that fit (with the same or nearly the same by-pass relief press. spec.) The tiny Z recommended filter is listed at the bottom.

The one I used below is the Wix 51334. Much bigger (i.e. Height and O.D.).

I just found these myself, so use at your own discretion.

370Z ALTERNATE Oil Filters

Wix: 51334 (bigger)
UPC Number: 765809513341

Height: 3.194
Outer Diameter Top: 3.252
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed:
Gasket Diameters O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.475 2.173 0.233

Thread Size: 20X1.5 MM
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 8-11
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=6/20
Burst Pressure-PSI: 280
Max Flow Rate: 9-11 GPM



Part (Wix): 51344 (bigger still)
UPC Number: 765809513440

Height: 4.069
Outer Diameter Top: 3.242
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed
Gasket Diameters O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.490 2.200 0.148

Thread Size: 20X1.5 MM
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 8-11
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=6/20
Burst Pressure-PSI: 360
Max Flow Rate: 9-11 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating: 21

Fram XG3593A. I like this one.

SPECIFIED FOR 370Z

Product Line: NAPA Gold Filters
Part Number: FIL 1358 (Tiny)

Attributes:
Beta Ratio : 2/20=6/20
Flow Rate : 8 - 10 gpm
Gasket I.D. (Inches) : 2.23"
Media Type : Glass Enhanced Cellulose
Oil Filter Gasket O.D. (Inches) : 2.42"
Oil Filter Height (Inches) : 2.782"
Oil Filter O.D. (Inches) : 2.685"
Oil Filter Style : Spin-On Lube Filter
Burst Pressure : 265 psi
Gasket I.D. (mm) : 57 mm
Oil Filter Gasket O.D. (mm) : 61 mm
Oil Filter Height (mm) : 71 mm
Oil Filter O.D. (mm) : 68 mm
Oil Filter Thread Size (mm) : 20 x 1.50 mm


WIX (equiv.)
Part Number: 51358
UPC Number: 765809513587

Style: Spin-On Lube Filter
Service: Lube
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper

Height: 2.782
Outer Diam Top: 2.685
Gasket Dia. O.D. I.D. Thk.
2.475 2.173 0.233

Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed:
Thread Size: 20X1.5 MM
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 8
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=6/20
Burst Pressure-PSI: 265
Max Flow Rate: 8-10 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating: 21

P.S. and for you Fram oil filter haters: If you take a look at their premium filters (like the Fram Ultra Guard Synthetic, or even the Tough Guard) I don't think you'll find much better (standard type) filters. I opened up the Tough Guard and it appeared to be built as well as the top-o-line Wix that I've been using. I did not however stretch the media paper out to check the total area. If anyone has more info on the premium Frams, please post it here. Thx

Great info! Thanks to you, I'll be doing my own oil change~

yeah, RIGHT...dealer here, in vegas, charged me $56 for either the two crush gaskets for the oil, or, 6 gaskets covering the pan/tran/diffy...i axed him if'n they were made outta GOLD and left...gotta a call later to say i had to pay/charge in order to put the order through...

i ordered from victorville, cali, for $12 incl. postage...

eventually complained to the cust. serv. mgr. when change time came an d hopefully got it straightened out...

what a farce...

The Best Oils? Look at the UOA Data
 

Thanks for the info Zforce. I see a lot of people here saying how great this or that oil is based on their feelings and not facts - like UOA (used oil analysis) which I think is the only true measure of oil quality in an engine. I was going to switch to Redline from Mobil1 that I am now using but after looking at the chart for the VQ35DE I'm now leaning towards Castrol Syntec 0W-30 or perhaps one of the other oils with more of the "green" (better than std. deviation) numbers. I think this chart is very telling.
One Caveat: Some of these oils only have 1 or 2 samples taken on this chart so in all fairness, those numbers might not be representative of that particular oil.

If anyone has UOA numbers for the Z eng. (VQ37VHR) and which oil used, I sure would like to see 'em. thanks

I can't get the UOA chart image to copy, so I'll paste the link.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...a/UOAChart.jpg

Search the UOA section in Bob Is The Oil Guy Forum for posts under my name.
There are a couple of results with Redline in my 2009 370Z. I am currently running Pennzoil Ultra and will post the UOA in a few weeks when I do the next change and get the Blackstone results back. One immediate difference is that as I am approaching the 40K mileage point, oil consumption with the 05W-30 Ultra has been less than a half quart in 4000 miles. Using Redline from the 5000 mile to 35,000 mile point, I was using about 1.25 quarts per 5000 mile OCI. Either the engine is finally settling down, or the Ultra has made a difference in consumption. If I get comparable numbers on the UOA I may switch to Ultra, it is considerably less expensive per oil change.

I wrote to K&N Tech Dept to get the factory thoughts about moving up from the standard recommended HP-1008 to the taller HP-1010. Here's the response:

Thank you for your interest in K&N products. We only recommend using the oil filter that is listed for your application, the HP-1008, PS-1008 and/or SS-1008. Matching an oil filter by outside dimensions does not take into account the internal structures of the media, bypass valve (if it has one), inlet/exit holes and related.

Plus, if you use an oil filter that we do not list for the application, it can void the warranty on the oil filter. We design our oil filters to meet and surpass the factory filtration and flow requirements that way by using the correct oil filter will still give you the advantages you are looking for.

If you have any further questions, please reply to this email or call our Customer Support Team at 800-858-3333