Modifying Oil Pan For Road Racing: A Step-By-Step Guide

Modifying an oil pan for road racing can improve performance and prevent engine damage. The oil pan is an important component of the engine's oiling system, and choosing the right one can significantly impact engine performance. Modifications to the oil pan can include adding baffles, scrapers, and trap doors to improve oil control and prevent oil starvation during acceleration, deceleration, and cornering. Increasing the oil pan's capacity and improving its shape can also enhance performance. Additionally, the choice of pan material, such as steel or aluminium, can influence the pan's durability, weight, and heat dissipation. Overall, the modifications aim to ensure a consistent supply of oil to the engine, maintaining oil pressure and temperature, which is crucial for high-performance road racing applications.

Choose the right oil pan for your application

When choosing an oil pan for road racing, there are several factors to consider to ensure optimal performance and protection for your engine. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right oil pan for your application:

• Understand the rules: Priority one when choosing an oiling system for any type of racing is to establish what the rules allow and prohibit. Different racing organizations, such as SCCA, NHRA, or IHRA, have specific guidelines for oiling systems. Make sure to consult the rule book for your particular racing class to ensure your oil pan complies with the requirements.
• Consider the oiling system: Decide whether you will use a wet sump or dry sump oiling system. Wet sump systems are more common and cost-effective, while dry sump systems offer better oil control but are more complex and expensive. Choose the system that aligns with your budget and the specific demands of road racing.
• Select the right material: Oil pans are typically made of steel or aluminum. Steel pans are stronger, more durable, and easier to repair, making them a good choice for road racing. Aluminum pans are lighter and offer better heat dissipation, but they may not withstand impact as well. Consider the trade-offs between weight and durability for your application.
• Choose the appropriate design: Look for oil pans specifically designed for road racing. These pans will have features such as baffling, trap doors, or "power pouches" that help control oil flow during acceleration, deceleration, and cornering. Ensure the pan has sufficient capacity and ground clearance for your needs.
• Pay attention to fitment: Consider the engine and chassis compatibility when choosing an oil pan. For example, if you are performing an LS swap, you may need a pan with a shorter sump to clear crossmembers or a front sump instead of a rear sump. Ensure the oil pan you choose fits your specific engine and chassis configuration.
• Opt for aftermarket upgrades: Consider investing in aftermarket upgrades such as a high-volume oil pump, an oil pick-up assembly, or an oil reservoir to enhance the performance and reliability of your oiling system. These upgrades can help ensure proper oil flow, pressure, and temperature control.
• Consult with experts: Reach out to reputable companies specializing in oil pans, such as Canton Racing and Moroso Performance. Their experts can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on your specific application. They may also offer custom oil pan solutions if you have unique requirements.

Remember, the right oil pan for road racing will provide effective oil control, maintain oil pressure, and protect your engine under the demanding conditions of acceleration, deceleration, and high lateral G-forces encountered during road racing.

Modify the oil pan to make an extreme-front sump pan

Modifying an oil pan to make an extreme-front sump pan can be a challenging task, but with careful planning and execution, it is certainly achievable. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to modify an oil pan for road racing:

Planning and Preparation:

• Determine the type of engine, chassis, and intended use of the vehicle. This information is crucial for selecting the right oil pan and ensuring it will fit and perform as expected.
• Decide between a stamped or fabricated pan. Stamped pans are more cost-effective but offer limited features, while fabricated pans can include a wider range of specialized features.
• Choose the pan material: steel or aluminum. Steel is stronger and easier to repair, while aluminum is lighter and dissipates heat better.
• Consider the advantages of a windage tray and crank scraper for improved oil control. A windage tray helps prevent oil agitation and overheating, while a crank scraper directs oil away from the crankshaft.
• Determine the desired pan depth and shape. Shallower pans may be necessary for ground clearance, but kickouts can be added to increase capacity while maintaining clearance.
• Assess the need for baffles or trap doors to control oil movement, especially in shallow pans with kickouts. Baffles guide oil towards the pickup, while trap doors are one-way hinged baffles that promote oil flow in one direction.

Modification Process:

• Mark the cutting lines on the oil pan: remove the back section of the sump and consider adding side kickouts to increase capacity.
• Cut the pan along the marked lines using a suitable tool, such as a cut-off wheel. Be careful to leave the drain plug in place.
• Modify the removed section: flip it around and weld it to the front of the pan, creating a front kickout. Ensure a smooth and tight fit to prevent leaks.
• Reinforce the joints and welds: use techniques like tack welding and brazing to secure the modified sections and ensure their integrity.
• Test for leaks: fill the pan with fluid (water or gasoline) and check for any leaks or seepage. Address any issues found.
• Paint or coat the pan: use a heat-resistant paint or coating to protect the pan and improve its appearance.
• Install the modified oil pan: ensure proper sealing and torque the mounting bolts in a specific sequence for a secure fit.

Additional Considerations:

• Oil pan design can vary depending on the type of racing: drag racing, road racing, or circle track racing. Each type has unique requirements for oil control and baffling.
• Custom oil pans can be built for unique engine and chassis combinations, ensuring a perfect fit and the desired features.
• Consider the use of a road race-style pan as a versatile option that provides effective baffling for various driving conditions.
• For extreme modifications, a dry sump system may be considered, which separates the oil reservoir from the pan and uses external pumps.

Add side kickouts to increase oil pan capacity

Adding side kickouts to your oil pan is a great way to increase oil capacity and improve performance, especially in road racing. Here are some key points to consider when adding side kickouts:

Benefits of Side Kickouts:

• Increased Oil Capacity: Side kickouts allow for a wider oil pan, providing greater oil volume without raising the oil level closer to the windage. This is advantageous in maintaining adequate oil supply during racing conditions.
• Improved Oil Control: Side kickouts help capture and direct oil back to the sump, reducing the amount of oil that comes in contact with the crankshaft and minimizing negative effects on horsepower.
• Additional Ground Clearance: By increasing the width of the oil pan, side kickouts can also provide slightly more ground clearance, which is beneficial in road racing where varying track conditions are encountered.

Design Considerations:

• Chassis and Engine Clearance: Ensure that the addition of side kickouts does not interfere with other chassis and engine components. This may require careful measurement and customization to fit your specific vehicle.
• Baffling and Trap Doors: To effectively manage oil movement within the wider oil pan, consider incorporating a combination of fixed and trap-door baffles. Trap doors, or one-way hinged baffles, allow oil to flow freely in one direction while restricting flow in the opposite direction, helping to keep oil around the oil pump pickup.
• Windage Trays and Crank Scrapers: Complement the side kickouts with effective windage trays and crank scrapers to further enhance oil control and minimize oil contact with the crankshaft. Windage trays prevent oil from splashing back onto the crankshaft, while crank scrapers direct oil away from the crankshaft and back into the pan.

Examples of Side Kickout Pans:

• Moroso Power Kickout Series Oil Pans: These pans feature a louvered windage tray and a kicked-out sump, providing the benefits of increased capacity, improved oil control, and additional ground clearance. They also include five trap doors to ensure an uninterrupted oil supply during racing conditions.
• Custom-Built Pans: If off-the-shelf options do not meet your specific requirements, consider custom-built oil pans. Companies like Moroso Performance Products and Canton Racing Products offer custom pan-building services to tailor the oil pan to your unique engine and chassis specifications.

By adding side kickouts and incorporating effective baffling, windage control, and crank scrapers, you can increase oil capacity and improve oil control for better performance on the road race track.

Use a trap door baffle to prevent oil starvation under acceleration

Trap-door baffles are a key weapon in oil-control technology. Unlike static baffles, trap-door baffles open and close to allow almost unrestricted one-way fluid flow while limiting flow in the opposite direction. They are particularly useful in road racing, where oil starvation is a common issue due to continuous acceleration, deceleration, and cornering forces.

Trap-door baffles are designed to keep oil around the pickup tube, providing improved oil control over the stock baffles. They are effective in preventing oil pressure drops, even at high G-forces, and can help maintain proper oil levels at the oil pump pickup during vehicle accelerations, both lateral and linear. This is achieved through the use of directional trap doors that allow oil to flow towards the pickup but not away from it.

The design of trap-door baffles varies depending on the specific application. For example, the Moroso diamond baffle consists of a square arrangement of trap doors rotated 45 degrees, with each side opening inward towards the pickup. This design is suitable for a wide range of forces experienced in road racing.

When choosing a trap-door baffle, it is important to consider the compatibility with your vehicle's oil pan and pickup tube. Some baffles are designed for specific vehicle models, while others are more universal. Additionally, the material and construction of the baffle should be considered, with lightweight aluminum being a popular choice due to its strength and durability.

By using a trap-door baffle, you can effectively prevent oil starvation under acceleration in road racing, ensuring that your engine maintains proper oil pressure and lubrication for optimal performance and longevity.

Use a dry sump kit to free up horsepower

Dry sump kits are a great way to free up horsepower in your engine. The dry sump lubrication system is the go-to option for internal combustion engines, especially in racing cars. This system relocates the oil reservoir, offering more efficient lubrication and addressing the issues presented by wet sump systems under racing conditions.

Wet sump systems, which are found in 99% of street cars, use a conventional oil pan where the oil is stored and supplied to the oil pump. While this is adequate for highway driving, the oil is subjected to extreme cornering forces in racing, causing it to "crawl" up the sides of the pan and away from the pickup, resulting in pressure loss and a reduction in horsepower.

Dry sump systems, on the other hand, contain the stored oil in a separate, external tank or reservoir. This design ensures consistent oil pressure and prevents oil starvation, which is critical during high g-loads when oil sloshes around. By using multiple scavenge pumps, the dry sump system virtually eliminates oil from the crankcase, reducing viscous drag caused by oil resistance and allowing the crankshaft to spin more freely. This leads to increased horsepower.

Additionally, the shallow oil pan of a dry sump system allows the engine to be mounted lower in the chassis, lowering the center of gravity and improving weight handling and distribution. The external reservoir also provides the opportunity to increase oil capacity through the use of a large external tank.

It is important to note that dry sump systems come with some drawbacks, including increased cost, complexity, weight, and maintenance requirements. However, for those seeking maximum performance and horsepower, a dry sump kit is a valuable modification.

Frequently asked questions