Installing An Oil Pan Spacer In Your 370Z: A Step-By-Step Guide

Installing an oil pan spacer in your Nissan 370Z can increase oil capacity by about a quart, which can help with engine temperatures. The process involves removing the undertray, oil filter, and drain plug, and then unbolting and removing the oil pan. After cleaning the mating surfaces, the oil pump pickup is removed and reinstalled using a spacer. The oil pan and spacer are then sealed and bolted to the engine. While this modification can improve engine performance, it adds weight to the front of the car and lowers the oil pan, requiring more caution when driving.

Prepare the oil pan spacer

To prepare the oil pan spacer for your Nissan 370Z, you will need to follow these steps:

Firstly, inspect the spacer and identify the three extra holes. These holes are intended for turbo oil return lines and extra oil temperature sensors. If you do not plan to use these holes, simply screw in the provided plugs tightly, using the provided washers and some Ultra Grey gasket sealant on the threads. This will ensure that the holes are properly sealed.

Next, you will need to remove the undertray of your car, followed by the oil filter and drain plug. This will allow you to drain the oil from your engine, which is a necessary step before installing the oil pan spacer. Make sure to have a large metal tray or container to catch the drained oil.

After draining the oil, you can proceed to unbolt the existing oil pan. Refer to the torque sequence shown in the service manual for your vehicle and follow the numbers in reverse order during removal, starting with 10 and working back to 1. It is important to be cautious during this step to avoid damaging the gasket surfaces or warping the pan.

Once the oil pan is removed, carefully clean off all the old gasket material from the mating surfaces of the pan and the engine block. This can be done using a razor blade at a shallow angle to ensure that all the residual gasket material is removed without damaging the metal surfaces.

Now that the oil pan and mating surfaces are prepared, you are ready to install the oil pan spacer. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and torque specifications for a secure and proper fitment.

By carefully following these steps, you will have successfully prepared the oil pan spacer for your Nissan 370Z, ensuring a smoother installation process and improved engine performance.

Remove undertray, oil filter, drain plug, and oil

To install an oil pan spacer on your Nissan 370Z, you'll first need to remove the undertray, oil filter, drain plug, and oil. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Removing the Undertray:

• Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
• Place a drain pan or container underneath the engine to catch any dripping oil.
• Locate the undertray, which is the plastic cover underneath the engine.
• Using basic hand tools, remove the bolts, screws, or plastic clips that are holding the undertray in place. Be careful not to drop these parts.
• Once all the fasteners are removed, carefully lower the undertray and set it aside.

Removing the Oil Filter and Drain Plug:

• Locate the oil filter and drain plug. The oil filter is a softball-sized cylindrical component screwed onto the engine, and the drain plug is usually near the bottom of the oil pan.
• Before removing the drain plug, place a suitable container underneath to catch the draining oil.
• Loosen and remove the drain plug using the proper wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Hold onto the drain plug tightly as you remove it to avoid oil spills.
• Allow the oil to drain completely, which may take around five minutes.
• To remove the oil filter, loosen it by hand or using an oil filter wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Once it's loose, wait for the oil to stop dripping, then finish removing the filter.
• Be sure to check for any remaining gasket material on the mounting surface and wipe down any oily surfaces before proceeding.

Draining the Oil:

• With the drain plug removed, allow the oil to drain completely into the container. This may take several minutes.
• Once the oil has stopped draining, replace the drain plug and tighten it snugly, but avoid overtightening to prevent damage to the oil pan.
• You may also need to replace the washer behind the drain plug, depending on your vehicle's specifications.

By following these steps, you will have successfully removed the undertray, oil filter, drain plug, and drained the oil from your Nissan 370Z, preparing it for the installation of the oil pan spacer. Remember to work carefully and refer to your vehicle's repair manual for specific instructions related to your car's make and model.

Unbolt the oil pan

To unbolt the oil pan, you'll need to follow a specific torque sequence. This can be found in the service manual for your vehicle. When unbolting, you'll need to follow the numbers in reverse order, starting with 10 and working back to 1.

It's important to note that this process can be tricky, as the oil pan is essentially glued to the block with a gasket substance. You'll need to cut this without damaging the gasket surfaces or warping the pan. A sharp-edged razor blade or credit card can help with this step. Be careful not to torque on the pan edges.

Once you've successfully removed the oil pan, be cautious, as there will be more oil remaining in the pan than expected, which can splash everywhere if you're not careful.

Remove the oil pan

To remove the oil pan, you will need to first drain the oil from the engine. Remove your Z's undertray, the oil filter, and the drain plug.

Next, you will need to unbolt the oil pan. There is a torque sequence shown in the service manual, which you should follow. Note that you follow the numbers in reverse during removal (start with 10 and work back to 1).

Now, remove the oil pan, being careful not to damage the gasket surfaces or warp the pan. This is a tricky step as the pan is basically glued to the block with Ultra Grey-like gasket stuff from the factory. You will need to cut this without damaging anything or torquing on the pan edges. A credit card with one edge shaved down razor-sharp can help with this step. Be careful, as there will be more oil left in the pan than you expect, which will splash everywhere if you're not careful.

Finally, clean off all the old gasket material on the mating surfaces of the pan and the block. This can be done with a razor blade at a very shallow angle.

Clean the mating surfaces

To clean the mating surfaces of the oil pan and the block, you must first remove the old gasket material. This can be done with a razor blade, a wire brush, or a metal-brush-like sandpaper. Be careful not to damage the metal surfaces, as this can lead to oil leaks. You can also use a plastic scraper to remove large amounts of oil, turning the black surface into a dirty grey one. Spray some detergent that breaks down oil, like Simple Green, and wipe with a shop cloth or paper towel to get the surface to a cleaner grey.

Once most of the gasket is removed, you can use a corner of the plastic scraper, holding it like a pen, to remove the remaining bits. Another effective method is to use a 3M Bristle Disc, which is a round head with a series of plastic pins that attaches to a rotary tool. The disc won't damage the metal but will cut through the gasket. Be careful not to push too hard, as this can create depressions in the metal.

After removing the gasket, use brake cleaner or a similar solvent to ensure all oil and grime are removed before applying the RTV.

Frequently asked questions