i wouldn't let the jiffy lube in my town touch my car with a ten foot pole.

This...

and this.

what year is the miata compatible fuel filter from?

Why not just buy the correct FD filter? They are not expensive.

Sorry if my previous comment confused you, I have installed a fuel filter in a 2001 miata and I recall it being 'similar' in size and shape to the FD filter. I would not recommend using a miata filter on your FD unless you have no other choice and you have verified that the size of the filter and the inlet/outlet lines are comparable to the FD's.

I swear I remember reading somewhere that the Miatas have the same fuel filter but I checked the parts catalog and the first two gens have different outlets. The 2001 model looks similar to the FD's, but it does have a different P/N. I wouldn't be surprised if they were identical units though.

FD: N3A1-20-490
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1208542706

Miata: BP4W-20-490B
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1208542706

because its out of stock and will take over a week to come in. your right its 5 dollars more. i went ahead and got the 94 miata one and its the same exact thing.

Fuel Filter Replacement...It's Done!!
 

I finally replaced the fuel filter, what a bear it was removing it!! I used a handi little hose pinch pliers to pinch the fuel hoses and they did not leak at all. The worst part was removing the existing hose clamps and removing the hoses from the old filter. The reverse prosses was a snap it took about 20 minutes to re-install the new filter. The removal took about 2 hours, scarred and cut hands and forearms, etc. But it's finally DONE!!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/europautoparts/...00/SKT7602.jpg

Was anyone ever successful with relocating the fuel filter?

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...cation-730863/

It's really not that hard to find this stuff

A couple more I found with pictures....
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...cation-616397/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...ce-put-576820/

Just to add to this one,

I used to own a 2001 BMW M5 V8 sedan. The fuel filter in these is a really nice 8 inch long (approx.) canister with the same sized barb ends as the FD filter. Its an extremely high quality BMW filter with more filter media surface area and the external canister is even polished looking alloy. They are German and made for severe service duty and yet cheaper than the FD stock filter.

I'm going to relocate my filter and use one of these beauties when I do.