[aintThatBroken]

I tried changing my own oil for the first time today, and wow the previous owner must have tightened that oil filter on tight! I also had a really tough time getting my new oil filter wrench around the exhaust pipe and other stuff to actually reach the thing from the bottom, but the mess of wires above meant that it looked even harder to reach from the top. Even when I did get in there and was able to grip hard enough to scratch the oil filter up, the limited elbow room meant I wasn't able to actually turn the darned thing.

My car is sitting with 2 wheels on the curb with no oil in it. Giving up for today, any tips for tomorrow?

 

[aintThatBroken]

Got it! I got the filter socket thingy that bchan_42 recommended from an auto parts store, and that worked far better than the oil filter pliers I tried first (apparently I was gripping tightly enough to crush the filter slightly, but still not enough to turn it.) The socket made it much more tolerable, had it out in less than 5 minutes of grunting!

Thanks for the tips, all!

 

[aintThatBroken]

I feel like this might also depend on whether you have the B20b or B20z intake - the resonator chamber on the latter got in my way, I wouldn't be surprised if it was easier with a B20b.