DIY: Nissan 370Z Oil change (AK370Z way) Pictures inside

Matt · 10-25-2009, 02:34 PM

Has anybody had any experience with the Nismo front bumper using these ramps(or others?).

To make sure I have the right ramps, how much should I pay? Best place to get them is online?

Zcott · 10-25-2009, 04:41 PM

I did my first oil change today, and I have the sport package air dams.
I have 56" Race Ramps, and they work perfectly.
I suspect they will work on the Nismo as well.
Because of the shallow approach they are the easiest load I've ever done.
They are also extra wide so putting the car up by yourself is worry free.
They are a little pricey.
$200.00 for the pair.

They are very light... I'd say about 5lbs each.
I hang them on the wall for an out of the way storage solution.

56" Ramps - Car Ramps | Get your Car Up 8"! | Race Ramps, your best solution for Lightweight Low Profile Car Ramps!

370Zsteve · 10-25-2009, 05:56 PM

the misinformation just keeps on coming

Here is Mobil's response to an inquiry about Nissan Ester Oil...Mobil has a very high opinion of it's generic "synthetic", I dunno about the "extended Performance" flavor, though.

https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English...n_Engines.aspx

vipor · 10-26-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Has anybody had any experience with the Nismo front bumper using these ramps(or others?).

To make sure I have the right ramps, how much should I pay? Best place to get them is online?

I just did my first oil change saturday on my Nismo. I did not use any ramps though, I just jacked up the right side of the car and squeezed up there a little bit. It wasn't the most ideal and I'll probably look into ramps for the next time. I'm spoiled having had floor jacks and jack stands until recently...

I went to the Grubbs Infiniti down the road (closer than the nearest Nissan dealer) and asked for some copper drain plug washers and the guy at the counter was nice enough to give me half a dozen at no charge.

A couple small differences with the underbody diffuser on the Nismo btw. I'll edit the pictures later tonight to accent where the clips and bolts are.

The diffuser. Note the extra rectangle panel held in with (9) clips.

Inside the fender well. (3) clips on each side.

Another shot. Don't know what that dark spot is....

The diffuser removed. You can see the (3) initial clips that AK mentioned, recessed into the area that the rectangle panel covers.

All done. FilterMag and Magnetic Drain Plug in place.

Matt · 10-27-2009, 01:08 AM

Great info on the Nismo. Thanks. It almost makes me want to give in and just pay the $90 at the dealership.

schrute · 10-27-2009, 02:15 AM

^Don't give in!

The only way you'll know for sure that it was done right is to do it yourself. If ramps are an issue just use a floor jack and 2 jack stands - easy!

It will be worth it to do it yourself. For both you and the Z.

I was talking to a buddy at work today telling him about the filter mag and the magnetic drain bolt and he thought they were cool mods, but was sure that they would be "gone" after the first oil change (he takes his in). He's probably right, out of ignorance or disrespect these extra steps that some have chosen to take would mean nothing to most oil change techs.

I shudder at the thought of taking my Z to someone else for the basic maintenance that I am capable of doing myself. I still hate taking it in even when it's something I haven't yet learned to do. I just know that no one is going to be as careful or thorough as I would be with my stuff.

Rant over.

vipor · 10-27-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Great info on the Nismo. Thanks. It almost makes me want to give in and just pay the $90 at the dealership.

Keep in mind I definitely did it the hard way, only jacking up the right side of the car. I just learned the hard way (not too hard) that next time I'll get my floor jack and stands out of storage. Now that I know exactly what needs to be done I can knock out the next oil change in less than an hour for sure.

Sidenote: my factory oil filter was on unbelievably tight. I used some oil filter pliers that I'd had for a while and some shop rags to get it off. I ended up having to hammer in the "tongs" on them to be able yo grab the tiny little filter. I crushed in the sides of the old filter pretty badly too, oh well.

Equinox · 10-27-2009, 11:56 AM

Copper Washer - Used as a crush washer between the engine and the drain plug. You torque the drain plug down over it, and the soft copper metal will smash between the two harder metals, and fill the gaps, creating a seal. EVERYTIME you tighten the drain plug, you will need to use a New copper washer.

Tight Oil Filter trick - If your stock oil filter is on too tight, and you can't seem to take it off, and you don't own an oil filter wrench, I stab a screwdriver all the way through the filter, and twist it off that way. Make sure you have already drained the oil though, otherwise oil will SPEW!

vipor · 10-27-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Equinox

Tight Oil Filter trick - If your stock oil filter is on too tight, and you can't seem to take it off, and you don't own an oil filter wrench, I stab a screwdriver all the way through the filter, and twist it off that way. Make sure you have already drained the oil though, otherwise oil will SPEW!

Good idea, but yes, it sounds messy for sure. +1

KaienZ34 · 10-31-2009, 11:48 PM

To AK370Z Good morning to you fine sir wait it's night What The BEEP . . . Are you still using the RedLine oil products ? If so how is it working out for you ? If not what are you using now ?

AK370Z · 11-01-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaienZ34

To AK370Z Good morning to you fine sir wait it's night What The BEEP . . . Are you still using the RedLine oil products ? If so how is it working out for you ? If not what are you using now ?

Yes sir, I'm still using redline synthetic motor oil. Just did my 2nd oil change at 9,000 miles and I'm currently at 11,xxx. Car runs VERY smooth. No valvetrain noise at idle. Redline has polyol ester which is recommended (not required) by Nissan. Fantastic product.

j.arnaldo · 11-01-2009, 01:45 PM

AK': I'm gonna sell you a story, like it was sold to me about a year ago; you have the final say on the issue, dude. Some engineer (forgot his name) decided to test all the oil filters on the U.S. market, so he went ahead and bought a sample of each. He then proceeded to split 'em open and check for quality in the materials used to manufacture them. The clear winner was Purolator's Pureone. I know, I know, it took me by surprise, too! Afterwards, I've read even more reports by other engineers backing the original guy's claims. So, I kept checking the local auto stores, and when they had the Pureones on sale, I purchased 6 of 'em!, 'cause my wife's P'finder uses the same one as my '04.5 Touring Coupe ($4.99 each!, from their regular price of $6.99). BTW, thanks for the DIY post, dude!

bsramzy · 11-01-2009, 01:55 PM

there is a link if you search around where they cut them all open, i do prefer pureone too as a result of that webpage.

j.arnaldo · 11-01-2009, 02:09 PM

Jonn: If you're not using ramps, at the very least use jackstands. Safety 1st., dude.

vipor · 11-01-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo

Jonn: If you're not using ramps, at the very least use jackstands. Safety 1st., dude.

I agree, like I said, I wouldn't recommend doing your oil change the way I did. I used the factory scissor jack so I wasn't concerned with it lowering while I was doing the work. Still, I had more than a shoulder (and arm) under the car only once, for a short period of time. Kept my head in the clear. Getting that effin stock filter off was a bear though :P

Next time: Jack + Stands = Win

10-25-2009, 05:56 PM	#168 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,598 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 38	the misinformation just keeps on coming Here is Mobil's response to an inquiry about Nissan Ester Oil...Mobil has a very high opinion of it's generic "synthetic", I dunno about the "extended Performance" flavor, though. https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English...n_Engines.aspx __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

10-27-2009, 01:08 AM	#170 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 36 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 14	Great info on the Nismo. Thanks. It almost makes me want to give in and just pay the $90 at the dealership. Last edited by Matt; 10-27-2009 at 01:11 AM.

10-27-2009, 02:15 AM	#171 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 12	^Don't give in! The only way you'll know for sure that it was done right is to do it yourself. If ramps are an issue just use a floor jack and 2 jack stands - easy! It will be worth it to do it yourself. For both you and the Z. I was talking to a buddy at work today telling him about the filter mag and the magnetic drain bolt and he thought they were cool mods, but was sure that they would be "gone" after the first oil change (he takes his in). He's probably right, out of ignorance or disrespect these extra steps that some have chosen to take would mean nothing to most oil change techs. I shudder at the thought of taking my Z to someone else for the basic maintenance that I am capable of doing myself. I still hate taking it in even when it's something I haven't yet learned to do. I just know that no one is going to be as careful or thorough as I would be with my stuff. Rant over. __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

10-27-2009, 11:56 AM	#173 (permalink)
Equinox Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 685 Drives: 06 Porsche Carrera S Rep Power: 13	Copper Washer - Used as a crush washer between the engine and the drain plug. You torque the drain plug down over it, and the soft copper metal will smash between the two harder metals, and fill the gaps, creating a seal. EVERYTIME you tighten the drain plug, you will need to use a New copper washer. Tight Oil Filter trick - If your stock oil filter is on too tight, and you can't seem to take it off, and you don't own an oil filter wrench, I stab a screwdriver all the way through the filter, and twist it off that way. Make sure you have already drained the oil though, otherwise oil will SPEW! __________________ Check out my Albums '13 Subaru WRX STi \| '06 Porsche 911 Carrera S (SOLD) \| '96 Mazda RX-7 6.0L V8 RHD (SOLD) \| '09 Nissan Nismo #0058 (SOLD)

10-31-2009, 11:48 PM	#175 (permalink)
KaienZ34 TitillatingW/Anticipation Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LA. not L.a. Posts: 21,636 Drives: Z34 Tour/Sport Rep Power: 173	To AK370Z Good morning to you fine sir wait it's night What The BEEP . . . Are you still using the RedLine oil products ? If so how is it working out for you ? If not what are you using now ? Last edited by KaienZ34; 10-31-2009 at 11:51 PM.

10-25-2009, 02:34 PM	#166 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 36 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 14	Has anybody had any experience with the Nismo front bumper using these ramps(or others?). To make sure I have the right ramps, how much should I pay? Best place to get them is online?

10-25-2009, 04:41 PM	#167 (permalink)
Zcott Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 89 Drives: 09 370Z Sport PG M6 Rep Power: 11	I did my first oil change today, and I have the sport package air dams. I have 56" Race Ramps, and they work perfectly. I suspect they will work on the Nismo as well. Because of the shallow approach they are the easiest load I've ever done. They are also extra wide so putting the car up by yourself is worry free. They are a little pricey. $200.00 for the pair. They are very light... I'd say about 5lbs each. I hang them on the wall for an out of the way storage solution. 56" Ramps - Car Ramps \| Get your Car Up 8"! \| Race Ramps, your best solution for Lightweight Low Profile Car Ramps!

11-01-2009, 01:45 PM	#177 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	AK': I'm gonna sell you a story, like it was sold to me about a year ago; you have the final say on the issue, dude. Some engineer (forgot his name) decided to test all the oil filters on the U.S. market, so he went ahead and bought a sample of each. He then proceeded to split 'em open and check for quality in the materials used to manufacture them. The clear winner was Purolator's Pureone. I know, I know, it took me by surprise, too! Afterwards, I've read even more reports by other engineers backing the original guy's claims. So, I kept checking the local auto stores, and when they had the Pureones on sale, I purchased 6 of 'em!, 'cause my wife's P'finder uses the same one as my '04.5 Touring Coupe ($4.99 each!, from their regular price of $6.99). BTW, thanks for the DIY post, dude!

11-01-2009, 01:55 PM	#178 (permalink)
bsramzy Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: prairieville Posts: 70 Drives: 09 350z maNUAL Rep Power: 11	there is a link if you search around where they cut them all open, i do prefer pureone too as a result of that webpage.

11-01-2009, 02:09 PM	#179 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	Jonn: If you're not using ramps, at the very least use jackstands. Safety 1st., dude.

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