How to Install Maximum Motorsports Standard Duty Oil Filter Relocation Kit (96-98 Cobra) on your Ford Mustang

Read all of the instructions before beginning work. Following the instructions in the proper sequence will ensure the best and easiest installation.

Maximum Mototrsports Modular Engine Oil Filter Relocation Kit moves the oil filter from the OE location to inside the driver  fender behind the bumper support. This kit is required for all Modular DOHC and SOHC engines with OE oil coolers when installing Maximum Motorsports Tubular K-member.  Installation of this kit mandates the use of a larger volume FL-1 series oil filter (or equivalent). 

1. Check the oil level and add oil, if necessary.

2. Jack up the front of the car and support securely on jackstands.

3. Remove the driver side wheel.

Filter Mount Installation

4. Remove the driver side electrical connector from the fog light.  Position the connector up and out of the way.

5. Remove the outboard OE fog light bracket bolt.

6. Temporarily attach the Adapter Plate to the bumper support using the bolt removed at Step 5 in its original position. Thread one of the provided self-tapping bolts at the unused hole in the bumper cover support behind the fog light bracket.  The Adapter Plate is now used as a template for locating the position of a third mounting hole for the Adapter Plate.

7. Mark the location of the center hole of the Adapter Plate on the bumper support.

8. Remove the Adapter Plate.

9. Drill a ¼” hole at the location marked in Step 7.  The bumper support is made of a steel alloy that is difficult to drill.  Use high-quality, sharp drill bits.  Start by drilling a 1/8” pilot hole. Then enlarge using a 3/16“ drill bit, followed by a 1/4” drill bit.  The use of multiple drill bit sizes simplifies this step greatly.  When drilling, the front lip of the plastic fender liner may be pushed out of the way to provide additional access for the drill.

10. Tighten one of the self-tapping bolts into the hole drilled in Step 9 and then remove the bolt.  This step forms threads in the hole.

11. Apply a light coat of motor oil to the O-ring of  the two Straight Thread O-ring to -10AN fittings.

12. Place the Remote Filter Mount into a vise with “soft jaws” and install each of the two Straight Thread O-ring to -10AN fittings into the two ports of the filter adapter.  Tighten the adapter nipples to 35 ft-lbs. 
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13. Attach the Adapter Plate to the Remote Filter Mount using the three supplied 5/16” bolts.  Torque the three bolts to 19 ft-lb.

14. Insert one of the self-tapping screws through the center hole in the Adapter Plate from the filter side of the Adapter Plate.

15. Place the 1/4” thick washer on the self-tapping bolt.  The washer spaces the Adapter Plate away from the bumper support, providing clearance for the bolt heads installed in Step 13.

16. Attach the Adapter Plate to the bumper support by inserting the self-tapping bolt into the hole drilled at Step 9.  Leave the self-tapping bolt loose.

17. Place a thin 3/8” washer between the Adapter Plate and the fog light bracket at the hole where the OE fog light bracket bolt was removed.  While holding the washer in place, insert the OE fog light bracket bolt through the Adapter Plate and loosely tighten it back into the original hole. 

18. Place a thin 3/8” washer between the Adapter Plate and the fog light bracket at the opposite corner of the Adapter Plate.  While holding the washer in place, insert the remaining self-tapping bolt through the hole in the Adapter Plate and into the OEM-provided hole in the bumper support.

19. Tighten all three Adapter Plate bolts to 9 ft-lb.

20. Coat the tapered pipe threads of the two 1/2” NPT to -10 AN fittings with the supplied Loctite Thread Sealant. Do NOT coat the leading thread. Place the Engine Block Adapter into a vise with “soft jaws” and install each of the two adapter fittings into one of the ports of the Engine Block Adapter.  Tighten the adapter fittings. The tapered pipe threads form a wedge and the fittings do not bottom.  Do not over-tighten, or damage will result.

21. Lube the Engine Block Adapter gasket with motor oil.

22. Place a drain pan under the oil filter and remove the oil filter.  Be sure the filter gasket is removed with the filter.

23. Loosely attach the Engine Block Adapter at the OE filter location on the block.  Rotate the Engine Block Adapter such that the adapter nipples face toward the front of the car.

24. Inspect the ends of the supplied oil line hose. Choose the end of the hose that is in best condition, this is the first end that you will install a 90° fitting into. Lubricate the barbs on the fitting and the ID of the hose with engine oil. Press the fitting into the hose. The fitting is completely installed when the hose just contacts the plastic yellow  hose end cover.

25. Slide a hose clamp over the end of the hose that does not have a fitting. Position the hose clamp next to the yellow hose end cover and then use a slotted screwdriver to tighten the clamp until snug. The hose clamp provides extra security in high heat and pressure applications. 

26. Hand tighten the attached 90° fitting onto the Remote Filter Mount adapter fitting marked Port “B” in the photo below (the adapter fitting closest to the radiator support).

27. Route the hose under the frame rail, over the antisway bar and to the Engine Block Adapter.  The specific routing should be based on your personal preference and vehicle configuration.  

NOTE:  It is important to understand that each one of the Remote Filter Mount ports must be connected to the correct port of the Engine Block Adapter. Specifically, the inboard port of the Remote Filter Mount (Port “B”) must be attached to the lower port of the Engine Block Adapter (Port “B”). The outboard port of the Remote Filter Mount (Port “A”) must be attached to the upper port of the Engine Block Adapter (Port “A”). This port orientation provides proper flow of oil through the filter.

28. Thread one of the Straight Hose Fittings onto the lower adapter fitting of the Engine Block Adapter marked Port “B”, do not tighten the fitting.

29.  Leaving a slight amount of slack for engine movement, hold the hose against the straight fitting and use a felt-tip or paint pen to mark the hose at the yellow hose end cover on the fitting. 

30. Remove the hose from the Remote Filter Mount and remove the hose from the car. Remove the straight fitting from the Engine Block Adapter.

31. Use a pair of hose cutters or a sharp razor knife to cut the hose at the location of your mark.

32.  Slide a Hose Clamp onto the hose.

33. Lube the barbs on the straight fitting and the ID of the hose. Install the fitting in the hose. Again make sure the hose is just touching the yellow hose end cover.

34. Position the Hose Clamp about 1/4” form the yellow hose end cover and then tighten the clamp. 

35. For reference, apply a piece of tape on this oil line.  The tape will designate this FIRST oil line should be attached between the inboard port of the Remote Filter Mount (Port “B”) and the lower port of the Engine Block Adapter (Port “B”).

36. Repeat steps 24-35 to make a second oil line to attach between the OUTBOARD port of the Remote Filter Mount (Port “A”) and the UPPER port of the Engine Block Adapter (Port “A”).

37. Attach the 90° fitting of the SECOND oil line onto the outboard adapter fitting of the Remote Filter Mount, and tighten to 15 ft-lb. If possible, use a crow foot socket and a small torque wrench. If you cannot locate a crow foot socket, or your torque wrench is too big to fit in the required space, do your best to estimate 15 ft-lb.

38. Route the SECOND oil line under the frame rail, and over the anti-sway bar and clutch cable to the Engine Block Adapter.  Do not attach the Second oil line to the Engine Block Adapter yet. 

39. Attach the 90° fitting of the FIRST oil line to the inboard adapter nipple of the Remote Filter Mount, and tighten to 15 ft-lb.

40. Route the FIRST oil line under the frame rail, and over the anti-sway bar and clutch cable to the Engine Block Adapter. 

41. Attach the STRAIGHT fitting of the SECOND oil line to the upper adapter nipple of the Engine Block Adapter and tighten to 15 ft-lb.

42. Attach the STRAIGHT fitting of the FIRST oil line to the lower adapter nipple of the Engine Block Adapter and tighten to 15 ft-lb.

43. Fine tune the orientation of the Engine Block Adapter in order to give the best oil line routing. Tighten the Engine Block Adapter retaining bolt (shown below) to 32 ft-lbs.  

44. Fill the provided oil filter with oil and hand tighten the filter on the Remote Filter Mount until the seal contacts the Remote Filter Mount. Tighten the oil filter 1/2 turn further.

45. Re-attach the fog light connector to the fog light.

46. Start the engine and examine all of the oil lines and oil line connections carefully to ensure that everything is tight and that there are no leaks.  Turn off the engine after examining the oil lines and oil line connections.

47. Re-attach the driver side wheel. Torque the lug nuts to the appropriate wheel or vehicle manufacturer’s specification.

48. Lower the front of the car to the ground.

49. After letting the engine sit for a short period of time, recheck the oil level.  Add oil, if necessary.