Oiling systems Dry Sump / Wet Sump

[sciff5]

I am surprised I havent heard more oiling isues with most guys running factory wetsump oiling systems on here.

I am planning an ls1 build and those motors have a pan that can easily be baffled so that the pickup wont be starved but even so they have dranback issues. As far as I know the ls1 is one of the better factory wetsump systems out there but even then its not designed to pull 1+G sustained lateral acceleration and many drifters road racers have run into oiling issues.

I am surprised with how often Locosts are raced and how high performance some of them are I rarely read about dry sump systems on here.

Are other factory engines just better and I dont know about it? What am I missing?

[yellowss7]

I guess it's dependent on your engine and tire choices. My Rover K series is dry sumped and with this engine is a necessity if running slicks, which I do. Who else has a dry sump?

 

Tom

[Alaskossie]

I do -- 2007 Caterham with Cosworth 2.3 Duratec and internal Cosworth dry sum/pump system.

 

The increased ground clearance with a d/s has saved my bacon several times.

[Hank]

I'm running a dry sumped busa motor in my Westfield.

[bsimon]

DS here too.

 

Be aware there is a lot more gadgetry in a DS system that could potentially fail, however, there are just too many pluses to not take a serious look at one. Particularly if you have considerable lolly invested in your spacer.

[Sean]

Dry sumped Duratec. I am not yet sure whether or not the "considerable lolly invested in your spacer" comment applies to me or my spacer.

[jfgw]

Caterham drysump in the bellhousing here too - ground clearance and 'just incase' make it a wise investment.

[scannon]

No dry sump on my Miata powered Caterham. Apparently the factory sump does well. It does have a number of baffles in it. The car has sustained some serious Gs on the track with no oiling problems.

 

A dry sump would only gain about 3/4" of ground clearance as the bottom of the bellhousing is almost as low as the sump. I am very careful about speedbumps and debris on the road.

[midgetracr]

The LS3 needs a dry sump big time when serious G's are involved.

[redgoose]

ds here too.

 

Be aware there is a lot more gadgetry in a ds system that could potentially fail, however, there are just too many pluses to not take a serious look at one. Particularly if you have considerable lolly invested in your spacer.

bsimon...i also have a vauxhall hpc..can you tell me about this engine and what mods can be done..thanks much..redgoose

[bsimon]

The C20XE is also known as the Cosworth KB.

Everything you wanted to know about the GM Generation II engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Family_II_engine#D-TEC.2FE-TECII.

 

Modifications can take you from a peppy grocery getter all the way to a 300+HP Formula 3 or BTCC specification.

 

There are several suppliers to the aftermarket. You can get some feeling of what can be achieved by perusing their websites.

Swindon Racing Engines

Spiess

SBD Developments

QED

 

I've got links if you need them.

 

The usual route is;

Improved induction

cams and solid tappets

replaced connecting rod bolts (max 7800 rpm)

steel connecting rods (max 8200 rpm)

steel crank (9000+ rpm)

reworked heads and larger valves

(somewhere in here insert dry sump oiling if G forces are an issue.)

 

It all comes down to the function of cash vs power. I assure you that function is not linear.

 

What engine package does your chassis have? The Vaux HPC spec can have anything from a std. fuel injected tin top engine all the way up to the Swindon prepared Evolution III BTCC motor. The various specs include different improvements that might make a difference in what upgrade path you should take.

[slngsht]

LS1 here, wet sump. When something happens I'll deal with it and upgrade to a LS2 in the process. No issues so far.

 

I believe LS3's have more of a problem with oil starvation than LS1's did, but I've only done some autocrossing with mine. I just put 7 quarts in mine have done so in the vette and the seven for as long as I've had them.

[supersportsp]

I have a Zetec with the Raceline low profile wet sump. http://www.raceline.co.uk/products/part_section.asp?SectionID=40&CategoryID=2

 

I think a lot of the Zetec guys are running this set-up with good results. It is baffled and has a windage tray. But, supposedly (even in their description on the site) oil level is critical because it isn't very deep but wide.

 

There is a discussion going on here separately regarding oil return issues on the Zetec motors. I am not sure if I have this issue or not and I need to investigate a little further. http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5637