Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

My turbos are above the engine. Can I tap the valve covers for an oil drain?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-20-2008, 08:18 PM
  #1  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Banshee Ben's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default My turbos are above the engine. Can I tap the valve covers for an oil drain?

Was just looking at another option than tapping the oil pan. Can I just tap the valve covers and return the oil there? If so is there any area I should aim for.
Old 04-20-2008, 08:54 PM
  #2  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (74)
 
Photochop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In the garage
Posts: 2,748
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

I'm no expert, but I don't think you'd want that very hot thinned oil right there on the rocker arms and circulating down. I've personally never seen it done thru the valvecovers, but have seen it through the top of the front cover or into the side of the pan above the fill line (where I ran mine).
Old 04-20-2008, 10:34 PM
  #3  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Banshee Ben's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I was wondering about the thin oil as well.

I'd rather not tap the pan only because this will be in an off road application and the oil level will be all over the place often submerging the outlet fitting.
Old 04-20-2008, 10:36 PM
  #4  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (20)
 
ls1king000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: addison, IL
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

timing chain cover?
Old 04-20-2008, 10:41 PM
  #5  
On The Tree
iTrader: (6)
 
crazycat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: upstate N,Y
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

the sts kit drains into the oil cap on the valve cover.
Old 04-20-2008, 11:02 PM
  #6  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
DeltaT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I would say no problem at all. The oil is more likely to be frothy than super-thin, but it won't hurt anything. Maybe try to plumb it in near the draindown holes.

Jim
Old 04-21-2008, 01:18 AM
  #7  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
black98ws6ta's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: louisville,ky
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Alot of guys run restricted pushrods to keep more oil in the pan as LS1's already over-oil the top end. With that being said I wouldnt add anymore oil in the valvecovers...I would do them in the front timing cover or oilpan.

Also it will not matter if the oil return fitting in the pan is submerged. If the turbos are high enough that they can gravity drain into the valve covers, then it will not matter whats happening in the pan.
Old 04-21-2008, 05:28 AM
  #8  
LS1Tech Sponsor
iTrader: (12)
 
Slowhawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Bridgewater,Ma
Posts: 14,865
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

I would do it in the timing cover.Maybe weld some fittings near the top of the cover.
Old 04-21-2008, 06:34 AM
  #9  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (17)
 
ZL1Killa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NC - Charlotte area
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

EPP did it to the front of the oil pan
Old 04-21-2008, 08:53 AM
  #10  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (5)
 
y2khawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Olmsted Falls, OH
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Originally Posted by black98ws6ta
Alot of guys run restricted pushrods to keep more oil in the pan as LS1's already over-oil the top end. With that being said I wouldnt add anymore oil in the valvecovers...I would do them in the front timing cover or oilpan.

Also it will not matter if the oil return fitting in the pan is submerged. If the turbos are high enough that they can gravity drain into the valve covers, then it will not matter whats happening in the pan.
the amount of oil going to the turbo is so small compared to anything else in the motor it won't matter. And more often than not, the restricted pushrods are there to make up for a straight through solid lifter.

And a submerged drain is a BAD idea. Any crankcase pressure at all and the oil will push right up the drain and out the seals in the turbo. Seen it first hand, makes a HUGE mess.
Old 04-21-2008, 09:01 AM
  #11  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (24)
 
HUNTER02SS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kennesaw, Georgia
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I would put the drain either in the timing chain cover or the oil pan. I would think you would want to get the oil back to the pan as quickly as possible.
Old 04-21-2008, 10:03 AM
  #12  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
70Stang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

We have drained into the valve covers with no issues, but you would need to be quite far above the valve covers to run it as a drain. Do you have any pics of the setup, it sounds cool!
Old 04-21-2008, 11:44 AM
  #13  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
4SFEDZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WACO, TX
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

mine is in the front of my pan



Quick Reply: My turbos are above the engine. Can I tap the valve covers for an oil drain?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:57 AM.