Feedback requested for LN Engineering spin on oil filter adapter for 996

Hi; Has anyone tried the LN Engineering spin on filter adapter. I have zero affiliation with this company or the product. Information is located here: http://www.lnengineering.com/store/c...ter-p-103.html I was going to change oil and filter in the next month or two and was curious as to ease of installation, ease of use once installed, quality, and if there are any benefits or gotchas over just using the stock Porsche system for the oil filtering and installation. Is the spin on filter adapter and spin on filter in any vulnerable position once installed. Here's some verbiage from the webpage posted above: Billet Spin-On Oil Filter Adapter [106-01] Our Price: $134.95 LN Engineering offers our spin-on oil filter adapter, which converts your engine to full flow filtration and also allows for use of superior oil filters capable of filtering better than the original equipment filter for reduced wear and longer engine life. Proudly made in the USA. Patent Pending. Now includes installation tool (part number 106-05) for easy installation with 1 1/8" socket and torque wrench (socket and wrench not included) at no extra charge. Fits 986/987 as well as 996/997 models and replaces Porsche part numbers 996 107 020 53 (54, 55). Uses Napa Gold 1042, Mobil 1 M1107, or K&N Gold HP-1007 filter. These are the only recommended oil filters. Also sold as an oil change kit with an oil filter as well as our billet aluminum magnetic drain plug! Instructions are available on the product information page. Thanks for your feedback, Marc 04 04th 1151

Trying to understand what's wrong with the factory oil filter cartridge method.

Have you seen the installation video posted on youtube? If not here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv8BTItCrF0

I'll go check it out and post back.......

Ok, so I watched it. That was just the installation video. I'm still no more educated on why it's "better" than the factory filter. Or is it just that this allows more variety in filter choices? Obviously this totally eliminates the OEM filter can cover so you HAVE to go aftermarket correct?

I think its easier to change oil (selling point one) and you can use some sort of "better" filter (selling point two) I thought changing the old filter was SOOOOO hard I have been looking for SOMETHING to replace it with Oh and its NOT plastic (selling point three)

Come on Ed! It's not hard I guess it's a touch easier but nothing that will save loads of time. Maybe 1 minute? If you have the oil filter cover tool it's a piece of cake and then you just slide off the old cartridge and put on a new one. As for the plastic cover, it's not a weak point at all. Still want to know why the factory one is so inferior.

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+1 However I do think I remember reading an argument for why the spin-on type filters could offer better filtration than a cartridge. (surface area maybe since you can install a much larger filter). it wasn't convincing enough for me to switch....

I was being sarcastic - I like the stock one -

I had a feeling Ed, just thought I would test it

The only thing of value here for me is that their adapter facilitates plumbing in an external oil cooler and Accusump. I looked for a while trying to find an oil filter sandwich plate that would work on the M96. One reason that I still like the OEM oil filter is that it is easy to cut one open and spread it out to look for issues. Not so with one of the bud can filters.

I agree. That IS a plus. I will be moving to something like this anyway with my spec boxster next year when the accusump is approved.

Dell stop wasting time and go yank some more bits out of the Boxster will ya. Tired of looking at your half finished pics on boxsterspec.

Here ya go........today's little bit of work

Nice! now stop dawdling around and get the suspension in there already.

Heads to the race shop next week to get the cage going and start the suspension work.

A fellow Rennlister emailed and asked me to come and answer some questions with regards to the spin-on oil filter adapter. During the design process, we started looking at the factory filter housing and discovered several iterations, with simple changes like plastic thickness. There were also not so obvious changes to the bypass, more specifically, the pressure at which it bypasses oil, which in our opinion, was too low. This results in most of the oil being bypassed. The idea of full-flow filtration is not a new one. It's been done for decades on aircooled VW engines, where 100% of the oil goes through a filter without a bypass. The spin-on oil filter allows selection of a filter for full-flow filtration. This obviously requires a special filter, one designed for this kind of application. As a matter of convenience, we chose a spin-on filter from a current GM engine that comes with full flow filtration from the factory. This provides several readily accessible filters from any local auto parts store, often on sale at the same time as your oil of choice, (Napa Gold, Wix, Mobil 1, Royal Purple, K&N Gold) that provide better filtration at the same price or less than the factory one. The other benefit of a steel bodied filter is to use a filtermag. These engines do generate LOTS of ferrous debris, as can be witnessed by using one of these or a magnetic drain plug. The spin on oil filter adapter also allows for the use of Canton Accusump adapters to easily plumb in an Accusump into a track car. We have an Accusump setup in our Boxster, which was already mentioned.

Can you point me to your accusump setup? And thank you for the explanation. Have you found a filter you think works best with the Boxster for good flow AND protection?

The 996 filter is a whole hell of a lot easier to change the the filter on my wife's Malibu, or on my old 924S. All you need is a strap wrench from wal-mart and it comes right off.

Here's a picture of the installation in our Boxster. Using the electric high-flow valve set up to turn off with ignition off so it doesn't purge when you shut the car off. Right now the switch is in the trunk, but I plan on putting a dash mounted switch, so it's easier to actuate for pre-oiling and to turn it off when done at the track for the day. We're using a single input sandwich adapter, with a stubby little filter, but the best setup would be to use Canton's 90 degree rotating filter block-off that provides an in and out. Then you can put a larger remote filter. That's what most of the shops doing these installs should be doing. I have been using Napa Gold filters for years. They are of equivalent micron rating to the original filter element. The Napa Gold 1042 is the part number to use that is full-flow and maintains the same ground clearance. As I change my oil very often with the purpose of testing different oils, the Napa Gold is the most cost effective for me since I buy them in large quantities. The Mobil 1/K&N Gold/Royal Purple branded filters that cross for this filter are all made by Champion and have synthetic impregnated media, capable of better filtration while maintaining the rated flow.

I have not discovered any cons associated with the spin on filter adaptor yet and I am sure we've evaluated and installed more than anyone. The second unit ever made was installed onto my Boxster test car and my 996 also has one, as well as every engine we've built since the unit was developed. I prefer the protection of a metal oil filter canister over that of plastic. The simplicity of installing an accusump, external cooler or larger in line oil filter are all benefits IMHO. I'll keep buying them and offering them as standard equipment on my updated performance engines..

Speaking of spin-on filters, here's a cool link to some guy that dissected them all and did a nice write-up. http://www.300cforums.com/forums/gen...dissected.html

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Jake, have you done an m96 engine with an external oil cooler and accusump? If so, how much more oil is needed for that setup? TIA.

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Yes I have and I am working on another now... I also plan to do this to my 996 after the next track day. According to the filter used the accusump and external system can take an added 3-4 quarts of oil as the cooler and accusump both add volumes of oil.

I just installed the billet spin-on oil filter adapter and I like it. Oil changes should be a lot easier (if it could be any easier) and cleaner since the whole filter comes off at once... if you get the K&N filter you don't even need a filter wrench since there's a bolt shaped molding at the bottom... Rudy

How are y'all choosing a filter with this setup? I do like the idea and will definitely move to it here shortly when I install the accusump in my spec boxster. And Jake, I was asking what was the shortcomings with the stock setup were, not if there were any cons with the spin-on setup. It's obviously a great thing but I'm trying to understand the science behind any rec'd to go with the spin-on. I've read up on what the spin-on system offers but would appreciate any info on the STOCK setup.

The stock set up has a plastic housing- I am doing my best to remove the plastic from within these engines. Service time, heat and constant exposure to oil is taking its toll on all the plastic parts and we are seeing more and more evidence of this as we tear into engines. I am trying my best not to post derogatory information about stock parts, because all it does is create drama that I don't have time for... and generally I end up arguing with someone that doesn't even change his own oil, so it really ends up as a waste of energy.

Thanks for your candor Jake. Let's assume that you made a replacement billet housing cover to replace the stock plastic one? What would be your thoughts on the stock setup then? I guess I should have phrased it better in my initial post as I understand that the plastic could be a shortcoming to the system. I was more interested in your thought on the current filter setup (not including the plastic cover.

Well, I hate that darn plastic housing. Will be glad to see it gone. Jake, I just ordered a spin-on and magnetic plug. Looking forward to putting them on.

I use them for target practice.

Jake, I still don't understand how the plastic housing can fail. What's wrong with it, besides the fact that it won't work with your Accusump setup you sell? I think Porsche uses this or a similar plastic filter housing on most of their filter systems, no?

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That's the best use yet! Jake, What do you suggest as far as engine saving/protecting mods for a DD 996? Should everyone spend the money to replace the IMS before it goes bad? Low temp T-stat? Or is it just as good to change the oil every 5K and only upgrade engine parts when it's convienent, ie. during another repair? Thanks, A

I'll post a couple of pics from one that failed when a piece of road debris contacted it, then you'll understand.. I like overkill Engineering, its hard to apply that to plastic components. I have also had at least 1/2 dozen of them break or fracture during removal. Unlike most I do my best to venture as far as possible from Porsche components when manipulating these engines. I'll bne happy when the only part we have to buy from the Dealer is a gasket set, because we have re-designed most every other component.. Medtech, It would be best if I addressed these questions in private as it could end up coming off as a self promotion..

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Oh, right. Sorry, thought u were a sponsor.

Resurrecting this thread... The Mobil M1-107 filter has six small inlet holes (see, e.g., this pic - link ). Is this too restrictive, is the oil pressure going into the spin-on filter higher than with the origina Porsche setup on the M96 engine? The cross-sectional area for the inlet gap between the Porsche OEM filter element and filter housing for the M96 would seem to be much greater than the total area of those six inlet holes on the M1107 spin-on filter (recommended for use with this adapter kit), if I recall correctly from when I last changed my oil several months ago. Is this an issue, was it considered in the design process for this LN Engineering filter adapter kit? The Mobil M1107 spin-on filter is indeed applicable to recent 6.0 liter Corvette engines - do those GM engines run similar oil flow rates and oil pressures to the 3.6L M96 Porsche engines? Another point of data collection - to anyone who has retrofitted this spin-on kit from LN Engineering, have you seen the oil pressure gauge read higher or act differently after the retrofit? The adapter does look like a very nicely machined piece of equipment.

I have acquired oil pressure data before and after the SPOFA installation and have noted no change, not even on my 3.8 big bore engine making 350 RWHP. This was acquired with my 28 channel data logger in two different sampling ports of the engine. I gathered this oil pressure data for LN before the first SPOFA was ever sold, I was also concerned with the volume differences but after three years of experience with the units they have proven themselves to me. Every engine I build gets one, all 3 of my M96 powered Porsches have one and my Wife set 4 Land Speed Records in one weekend with an engine outfitted with one...

Excellent. Thanks!

I list several filters and will work, so that users have a choice. I personally run the Napa Gold (Wix) filters.

Charles, Any news on the adapt for the Gen 2 987s? I'd hate to see Jake run out of targets while there are so many waiting in the wings.

They're under way. It only took my getting a 2010 Cayman S to finally get the project going :-) Actually, they only needed a very simple modification, as the only difference was the filter depth on the factory setups, so we just had to extend the part of the adapter that is o-ringed around the oil return portion.