As I'm slowly picking up motivation to work on the FD again...as evidenced by my weekly FB pictures...which means it may run in about five years I do have a question.

I may be going full retard on this but I see a couple of vendors offering billet oil filter pedestals that look awfully nice.

It may be the fact that I don't have an engine at the moment but what is the difference between the 150+ pedestals I'm seeing and this $30 piece (which I have by the way and fit great on the car when it was together): Oil Filter Sandwich Adapters

Thank you and happy New Year all!

Edit: Taking a look at a better picture I'm guessing the sandwich sits on TOP of the pedestal while the pedestal actually mounts to the block?

 

You got it. A sandwich plate will consequently raise up the filter while pedestals replace the factory pedestal. Some pedestals are shorter than the factory component which allows for larger filters to be used. Sandwich plates are cheaper since they're relatively generic and fit on many engines while pedestals are typically built to a specific engine. Plates also introduce more sealing points, which some people have had issues with.

 

I've run both and my vote is go skip the sandwich plate. With the additional height the oil filter impacts the TPS plug when you try to remove it. I switched to the RE-Speed housing and have run it for years with no issues whatsoever.

 

I also agree the sandwich plate raises the oil filter too high and makes it easy to hit and damage the tps. It is also another spot for a potential leak. I recommend the billet oil filter pedestal from Sakebomb Garage.

 

Go with the pedestal, or get the tapped banjo bolt if you only need one source.

 

^This. I know of one owner local to me who lost an engine to a sandwich. Long time ago, don't remember the brand. But IIRC it was an 'O' ring.