Best Holley Oil Pans For Improved G-Body Performance

Holley offers a range of oil pans for LS-swapped vehicles, including the popular GM F-Body and the Chevy Colorado/Hummer H3 Alpha. However, the best Holley oil pan for a G-Body will depend on the specific vehicle and engine configuration. Holley's LS Swap oil pans are designed to address common issues with engine swaps, such as proper clearance and fitment with older vehicles. Their oil pans offer additional clearance and are designed to fit a range of GM applications, including the G-Body platform. The Holley 302-2 and 302-3 oil pans are specifically mentioned as providing additional clearance for the G-Body platform, with the 302-3 also offering internal clearance for a four-inch stroke.

Holley 302-1 oil pan

The Holley 302-1 oil pan is designed for LS engine retrofit installations, providing an OE-style fitment for durability and proper sealing. It is made of cast and machined aluminium, with a traditional high-quality finish. The pan is intended to fit first-generation F-Body and first-generation X-Body cars, but it also offers excellent fitment for other applications.

The Holley 302-1 oil pan measures 5.71 inches from the oil pan rail to the lowest point, giving ground clearance for vehicles. The kit includes the oil pan, oil passage cover, oil filter stud, sump plug, sump baffle, a 302-15 dipstick, a gasket, RTV, and oil pan bolts. The oil pan bolts included in the kit are the proper length for the custom pan. The oil pan gasket is designed to fit tightly around the bolts, holding it in place.

The oil filter adapter is threaded into the oil pan and tightened to 40 ft-lb. The oil pan bolts that thread into the block and the timing chain cover torque to 18 ft-lb, while the bolts that thread into the rear cover torque to 106 in-lb. The sump baffle attaches to the pan with four bolts, with the bolts torquing to 8 ft-lb.

The Holley 302-1 oil pan is not compatible with G-Body applications; instead, Holley recommends using part number 302-2 for G-Body platforms.

Holley 302-2 oil pan

The Holley 302-2 oil pan is a great choice for those looking to install an LS engine in a variety of GM muscle car and truck chassis. It is designed to provide additional clearance on the front portion of the oil pan, making it a perfect fit for GM G-Body platforms, which are a popular choice for LS swaps.

The Holley 302-2 oil pan offers a low-profile design and is manufactured from traditional high-quality cast aluminum, giving it a clean and stylish exterior. It provides maximum clearance for vehicles where the steering linkage is behind the engine crossmember, ensuring a stress-free engine swap.

This oil pan includes a sump baffle, OE-style pickup tube, sump plug, oil filter stud, and oil passage cover. It has a maximum crankshaft stroke of 3.62 inches and a sump oil capacity of 5.7 quarts. With a stock oil filter, the total oil capacity is 6.2 quarts.

The Holley 302-2 oil pan is designed for LS engine retrofit installations, providing an OEM fitment and ensuring durability and proper sealing. It offers OEM oil filter mounting, OEM oil cooler port provision, and OEM engine NVH suppression.

When using the Holley 302-2 oil pan, it is important to note that it may not be used with LS7 engines or "stroker" engines greater than 3.62 inches. It requires the use of a specific dipstick and tube kit or equivalent, and the engine location may need adjustment for proper clearance.

The Holley 302-2 oil pan is an excellent choice for those looking to perform an LS swap in a GM G-Body platform, offering the necessary clearance and a high-quality design to ensure a smooth installation process.

Holley 302-3 oil pan

The Holley 302-3 oil pan is designed for LS engine retrofit installations in GM muscle/classic car and truck chassis requiring more oil pan-to-chassis clearance around the front half of the oil pan. The sump profile has been revised to provide extra chassis and steering rack clearance. The kit includes a sump baffle, OE-style pick-up tube, sump plug, oil filter stud, oil passage cover, and more.

The Holley 302-3 oil pan is perfect for 1967-1969 Camaro/Firebird, 1968-1974 Nova/Apollo/Ventura/Omega, 1982-1992 F-body, 1978-1987 G-body, and 1964-1972 A-body applications, as well as 1979-2004 Mustang and 1979-1986 Capri Fox bodies. It is designed to clear a 4.00-inch stroke crankshaft and includes two 1/2-inch NPT oil return ports for turbochargers.

The oil pan provides OE-style fitment, including OE oil filter mounting, OE oil cooler port provision, OE engine NVH suppression, OE flange gasket and sealing, proper structural rigidity, and OE bell-housing attachments. It has a traditional high-quality cast aluminum appearance with clean exterior styling.

The Holley 302-3 oil pan provides maximum clearance for vehicles where the steering linkage is behind the engine cross member. It has a sump oil capacity of 5.6 quarts and a total oil capacity of 6.1 quarts with a stock oil filter. Note that the engine location may need adjustment for cross-member or steering linkage clearance, depending on the vehicle, steering configuration, and chassis type.

GM F-Body oil pan

The GM F-Body oil pan is a popular choice for LS-swapped vehicles, especially those using the budget-friendly Vortec truck engine. This includes the 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, and 6.2-liter varieties. The GM F-Body oil pan, with its sump design, was commonly used before the introduction of Holley's LS Swap oil pans.

The GM F-Body oil pan (GM part number 12628771) was used from 1998 to 2002 and is compatible with LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, L92, and 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, and 6.2L truck engines. This oil pan is a good option for engine swaps as the front section is not as deep as some other pans, providing more crossmember clearance.

Holley offers a range of LS Swap Oil Pans that build upon the GM F-Body oil pan design. The Holley 302-1 oil pan, for example, has a depth of only 5.71 inches, offering increased ground clearance. This oil pan is compatible with GM F-Body (1967-1969) and GM X-Body (1968-1974) platforms. Holley also offers the 302-2 and 302-3 oil pans, which provide additional front clearance, making them suitable for GM G-Body platforms and Ford Fox Body platforms.

When choosing an oil pan for an LS-swapped vehicle, it is important to consider the sump depth and ensure that the oil pan has sufficient clearance to avoid any interference with other components. The GM F-Body oil pan, with its popularity and compatibility with a wide range of engines, is a good choice for those seeking an affordable and reliable option.

In summary, the GM F-Body oil pan is a widely-used and compatible option for LS-swapped vehicles, especially those on a budget. Holley offers upgraded options with additional features and clearance, but the GM F-Body oil pan remains a solid choice for many enthusiasts.

Hummer H3 Alpha oil pan

When it comes to choosing the right oil pan for your vehicle, there are several factors to consider, including the make and model of your car, as well as the specific engine configuration.

In the case of the Hummer H3 Alpha, which is equipped with a 5.3L V8 engine, finding a suitable oil pan can be a challenge due to the unique characteristics of this vehicle. The H3 Alpha's oil pan has a distinct design, featuring better baffling that retains the same capacity as the standard 5.3 pan, and exhaust manifolds that are "tucked" in at the flange.

One option for the Hummer H3 Alpha oil pan is the GM Partsdirect pan with the part number 12600497, which costs around $117. This pan is specifically designed for the H3 Alpha's 5.3L engine and offers a cost-effective solution.

Another option is to consider aftermarket oil pans from reputable brands such as Spectra Premium and Dorman, which offer direct-fit replacement oil pans for the Hummer H3. These pans are designed to match the original equipment and ensure a reliable and durable solution. The Spectra Premium oil pan (Part No. GMP53A, GMP53B, GMP53C) offers OE fit, form, and function, and features a durable powder coating to prevent rust. The Dorman oil pan (Part No. 264-473, 264-375, 264-135, 264-642) is also a direct replacement and includes replacement pan and drain plugs, with a high-strength coating to prevent corrosion.

When choosing an oil pan for your Hummer H3 Alpha, it is essential to consider the specific engine configuration and any unique characteristics of your vehicle. It is always recommended to consult a professional or refer to reliable sources for guidance on choosing the most suitable oil pan for your car.

Frequently asked questions