How Oil Pan Spacers Affect Engine Performance

An oil pan spacer is a device that increases the oil capacity of an engine, which can be beneficial for vehicles that burn oil or for those that are driven hard and see strip, track or auto-x events. The spacer lowers the oil pan, but it will not be the lowest point of the vehicle. It also helps with oil suck-up in high G-force cornering, as the oil surface will tilt away from the corner, and the possibility of the oil pump sucking air instead of oil increases. The spacer also makes it easier to mount an oil temperature sensor, as it has a pre-drilled/tapped hole for it.

Oil pan spacers increase oil capacity, helping to increase oil life and engine life

Oil pan spacers are a great way to increase oil capacity, which in turn helps to prolong oil life and engine life. The spacer is installed during an oil change, and can increase capacity by up to 1 litre. This means that the period between 'topping off' can be prolonged, reducing the need to frequently top up oil levels.

Oil pan spacers also help to address potential engine damage caused by oil pumps drawing in excess silicone. The spacer includes an o-ring-sealed oil pick-up spacer, which prevents the oil pump from drawing in excess silicone and potentially damaging the engine.

Additionally, oil pan spacers can help to lower engine temperatures. The extra surface area of the spacer, often featuring machined fins, helps to keep oil temperatures under control. This is particularly beneficial for vehicles that tend to run on the hot side, as the extra oil capacity and surface area can effectively reduce engine temperatures.

While some may argue that oil pan spacers do not provide significant benefits, others have found that the added oil capacity provides peace of mind and helps to keep their engines running smoothly. It is important to note that overfilling the crankcase with oil can lead to issues such as "windage", where the oil gets "wrapped" around the crank, creating a turbulent environment that can strain the engine. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain oil levels within the recommended range and not overfill the crankcase.

They can be used to mount an oil temperature sensor

An oil pan spacer can be used to mount an oil temperature sensor. This can be done by welding a bung near the existing oil pan drain plug. The temperature of the oil in the pan can be measured by installing a sensor in the pan. This will give a conservative indication of the oil temperature, which is a good overall index of the oil temperature in other parts of the engine. The temperature of the oil in the pan is influenced by the temperature of the engine parts near the sensor.

The oil pan is a good place to mount a sensor as it is surrounded by oil and not so much affected by the temperature of some part of the engine. The oil temperature sensor can be mounted in the oil filter adapter sandwich as well. This location is fine for oil pressure but might not be ideal for oil temperature as the oil filter attaches to the factory oil cooler which may alter the temperature readings.

The oil pan temperature sensor adapter kit includes everything needed for the installation process. It has a 1/8-27 NPT temperature sensor adapter, a nylon washer, a nut, and a plug. The installation process involves marking and drilling the location on the oil pan using a 1/2” drill bit. The fitting is then slid inward from the outside, and the supplied gasket and nut are placed on the outside. The fitting is tightened using two 19mm wrenches, making sure not to distort the gasket. A new gasket is installed on the pan, and the temperature sensor is threaded in and tightened using a 14mm wrench. Teflon tape is used on the threads, and the temperature sensor harness is routed through an opening in the firewall and secured with zip ties.

They help with oil suck-up in high G-force cornering

Oil pan spacers help with oil suck-up in high G-force cornering by lowering the oil pick-up point in the oil pan, ensuring there is always enough oil above the oil pick-up point. This is important because when cornering at high speed, the oil can work its way out of the sump oil pan and flow across to the upper sump castings, leaving a lower volume of oil behind surrounding the oil pick-up pipe.

The oil pick-up pipe's job is to suck oil out of the oil sump pan and distribute it around the engine's oil galleries, ensuring that moving engine components are kept lubricated and cool. If oil is not available to the pick-up pipe, temperatures rise, metals expand, and components fail.

The oil pan spacer also increases oil capacity, which is useful for cars with turbos as they have pick-up and return line holes and require more oil capacity.

They can be used to mount oil pick-up and return lines

Oil pan spacers can be used to mount oil pick-up and return lines. The oil pick-up tube is mounted to the oil pump or engine block, with the strainer at the other end. The strainer is located at the bottom of the oil pan, where it filters out large particles from the oil.

When installing an oil pan spacer, it is important to ensure that the oil pick-up tube is correctly spaced within the oil pan. This can be done by using washers or shims to achieve the correct clearance. The oil pick-up tube should be mounted firmly to prevent vibration and potential cracking.

Oil pan spacers can also be used to add an extension to the oil pick-up tube. This may require the use of longer bolts or studs to secure the assembly. It is important to consult with an engine builder or mechanic to ensure that the correct specifications are met and that the oil pump is not damaged during installation.

Additionally, oil pan spacers can provide an opportunity to upgrade the oil return ports. Some spacers come with tapped return ports that can be fitted with appropriate fittings for the specific application. This allows for customisation and ensures that the oil return lines can be securely connected.

By utilising an oil pan spacer to mount the oil pick-up and return lines, vehicle owners can enhance the oil capacity, improve oil filtration, and customise their oil return lines to suit their specific needs.

They help to cool oil temperatures

An oil pan spacer helps to cool oil temperatures by increasing the oil capacity of the oil pan. This means that there is more oil available to absorb and dissipate heat from the engine, resulting in lower oil temperatures. The additional oil also provides greater resiliency against heat spikes, allowing the oil temperature to rise slower even if it reaches the same final temperature.

The oil pan spacer also lowers the oil pan and oil pickup point, ensuring that there is always more oil above the oil pickup point. This helps to prevent the oil pump from sucking air instead of oil, which can occur during high-G force cornering when the oil surface tilts away from the corner.

Additionally, the oil pan spacer provides more surface area for heat exchange, allowing the oil to cool more effectively. The spacer is typically made of metal, which can radiate heat away from the oil and help to further reduce oil temperatures.

Overall, the increased oil capacity and surface area provided by the oil pan spacer work together to effectively cool oil temperatures and improve engine performance and longevity.

Frequently asked questions