fuel filter mod up front for FD
 

i would like to move my fuel filter up front is that a hard mod to do, because trying to change my filter is a bitch so please for those who have done soo let me know.

Dude, don't do it, you'll throw off the balance. Mazda worked very hard to get a 50/50 front to rear. :-)
I have seen it done, but I wouldn't know how to go about it without taking a look at it, and frankly, I don't want to get anywhere near the freaking fuel filter again.

It is real simple. I have done it to a few FD's.
Get a K&N FF w/ 5/16 barbs
get 18" of fuel hose.
remove the old FF
use the 18" of Fuel hose to replace the FF
and splice into the fuel line in the Engine bay

Simple,clean and real easy to replace or clean.
7-sins or RedFD got any pics of the FF mod that we did?

-Rikki

i was told not to do it. . . i really want to. anybody had any probs with this? ryan, have the guys that you did this mod to had any fuel problems?

paul

why? The FC has it up front...

The cars I have done it to have not had a problem. 7-sins was having trouble with a clogged filter at the time so it was a real BIG improvment for him. It is a mod that should be done on all FD's if you ask me. I plan on doing it before my next track event.

-Rikki

Hmmm.....I wonder why Mazda located it where they did instead of the engine bay...........(to piss us off, of course!)

My concern with putting it under the hood would be with the engine bay heat. Back in the good ol' days (ok, they were not all that good) you could cause vapor lock by doing something like this. I know that some systems automatically release fuel pressure when you shut the vehicle off, some don't. I don't think ours does since you are supposed to short the relay before changing the filter. (I think.... I really can't remember though....)

The extra heat in the engine bay ambient air after you shut the engine off (it goes up by as much as 70F before s l o w l y going down - I measured it on a hot day) could cause the residual gas in the OEM fuel filter to expand and overpressurize the system and cause leaks...might not be a problem with the K&N if it does not have much liquid gas left in it after shutdown.

I think it's a safety issue. I'm leaving mine in the back.
I think that's why Mazda moved it from the FC.
Or it could be a bunch of liability lawyers trying to once again - piss us off!

Like many others, I simply relocated my brackets a little further down with a few stout sheet metal screws and extended the METRIC FUEL LINE hose to reach it.

Can change it in a New York minute. :cool:

I wonder if this is what the fpr solenoid is for? Anyone know for sure? What else would it be for?

STEPHEN

FPR solenoid is for hot start application. I do not use this FPR solenoid and have not yet had a problem. So to me it is o.k. to do.

I will let you guys know of any changes.

-Rikki

sweet thanks ryan. ill probably do it anyways. haha. i like the idea of cleaning your fuel filter instead of buyin a new one.

paul

well thanks guys for this info, if moving the filter back a few inch's will be beter to change, then i think i would rather do that than having a potential fire hazard.

Garfinkle puts them lower on the rear sub frame by drilling two holes , easy to change , no heat, no fire hazard this makes more sense then the full tight engine bay

hey duboisr, this garfinkle guy. does he has a how too on doing it that way.