Oil filter close to exhaust?

[Kenny_Z]

Hey guys, got a question for you. Some guys on a local forum keep telling me the new headers are too close to the oil filter and it's going to cook my oil. They're recommending everything from a shorter filter to a relocation kit. I know a lot of people have converted to aftermarket headers. Did anyone have any oil issues?

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/exhaust13.jpg

[vwdmc16]

Damn that is close, Im also concerned about the starter/alternator wires in that area, I wrapped my wires in heat reflective silver metal tape to help but im just running stock manifolds

[Nicholas R]

Wow, which header set is that? That is surprisingly close. There is a good chance that that could cause problems. Best thing I think is oil filter research. The bosch one from Hervey is about the longest one you can use so definitely start trying shorter ones. I doubt you'll find much help in a relocation kit given the already tight space.

Also, yea definitely start zip tying those wires away from the headers too.

[WelmoedJ]

From the looks I presume your headers are not the DMC EU ones.

I have those EU version headers on my car and use a (tall) VAG oil filter.
No issues found with either oil temperature or pressure though.

Stuff is on my car since it has been imported into The Netherlands, som 25+k Miles ago.

[D Knight]

I also beat protected my harness. I'd say that is too close to the filter. Who's headers are they?

[Kenny_Z]

They are the early DMCH headers that I purchased second hand. I figured they were not much different than the stainless they sell now but maybe I'm wrong. I didn't know that Hervey's filters are tall. I've got a DMCH one in the box I just ordered. The engine has been open awhile, the oil and filter will get replaced prior to fire up. I'll make sure to tie up and protect the wires. They're all just dangling at the moment because everything is disconnected.

[Spittybug]

Depending on what you are able to shorten or relocate, you may wish to wrap those headers and/or the filter with the muffler wrap stuff you can buy at the auto store. Works pretty well.

[Farrar]

I have Houston's Performance Exhaust on my car (circa 2004) and have not had any oil problems.

[Silverbullet]

Well.... mine is fine, with the long filter...
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/AtHomeSoda/OilFilter_zps112c003e.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/user/AtHomeSoda/media/OilFilter_zps112c003e.jpg.html)

[Kenny_Z]

Thanks guys. That gives me more confidence in this holding up. I took out the Hervey filter today and compared it with the one I just purchased from DMCH, they are the same length. They do appear to be a little different in construction though. I think I am going to wrap the exhaust in that area just to be on the safe side. Alabama summers can be brutal. I need some exhaust wrap anyway to stop the heat soak on my Mustang's starter. I'll be wrapping the wires too.

That's a good looking engine Silver. Mine's a caked mess of 30 year old grime. Judging by the photo I think there was a slight change made to the pipes.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/exhaust12.jpg

[David T]

I will second the muffler wrapping tape. There is all kinds of it so get some good stuff. Take your time putting it on and wrap tightly. Some stuff is quite stiff and hard to put on small pipes and tight bends. I like the stuff that hardens and molds to the pipe once you get it hot. Don't try doing it when the headers are on the car, there is not enough room. The other more costly option is ceramic coating. It is also more fragile. Looks and works better though. Check out an old Jaguar XKE, they all have ceramic coated exhaust manifolds.
David Teitelbaum

[Nicholas R]

I agree, as long as you down trap it too thick, wrapping the pipes closest to the filter might not be a bad idea.

Also I think the first picture gave the illusion of it being quite a bit closer than it actually is. The second pic posted doesn't look quite so bad.

[Farrar]

With Houston's Performance Exhaust kit on my car, I really have to squeeze the rubber/metal band of the filter removal tool through the gap between the header and the end of the oil filter. It looks like you have more of a gap than I do. Maybe they altered the pipes because the tolerances were so close...?

[Kenny_Z]

I used a set of oil filter grips that look like channel lock pliers to remove it. I had to buy this because my sister's cavalier is a real pain with the oil filter between the firewall and engine. They can very easily rip a filter apart so I had to be careful.

I can't get the tip of my finger between the filter and the center pipe of the header. It's the one I was most worried about. I just spoke to Josh at DPI and he's never seen an issue either so I'm a lot more confident about this. I'm still going to do the exhaust wrap since I'll have the header off at least once more and I've got wrap stashed for my Mustang project.

These are already ceramic coated which is something else that I really like about them. My grandparents had a neighbor with an all original 66 Jaguar. He bought it new. We commiserated about Lucas wiring shortly after my DeLorean purchase. I know I've looked that engine over a couple of times but for the life of me I can not recall examining the exhaust. I'll have to look closer the next time I see it at a show.

[Farrar]

If you've already got the header off, you might want to consider swapping out your starter motor.

[Kenny_Z]

The starter is less than two years old. It was one of the first things I fixed.

[Farrar]

The starter is less than two years old. It was one of the first things I fixed.

Never mind, then. :)

[Kenny_Z]

Hehehe, I sort of wish I hadn't because I'd prefer the eclipse starter. I can't justify replacing something that isn't broken. The way my luck runs is that my "new" starter would break.