RX-Ben

iTrader: (7)

I'm going to be road racing my car and I'm wondering how well the F body LS1 oil pan is baffled. Is an Accusump needed?

Thanks
Ben

Jaymz

I run one on my C5. I don't know the difference of a C5 or a Fbody pan. I would say that you might want to get one if you are getting serious into tracking your car and if your car has some stick around the corners.

Louis

iTrader: (7)

Run 7qts in it, and check the level every session. run it under that, and expect to lose a bearing. 5.5 is danger zone. 6 is ~, and 7 is just right.

No need for an accusump on weekend warriors

RX-Ben

iTrader: (7)

Hmmm...I will have megastick (car is an RX7 w/LS1 on huge tires) and it'll be used for the One Lap of America race where breakdowns pretty much spell doom.

Thanks for the replies
Ben

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

Listen to Louis ... he has a little experience road racing an LS1 based car.

I run 7 qts without an issue. My car has 80K miles ...

To answer your question, the LS1 pan is baffled, but prone to oil starving when the oil level gets down below 6qts. It is particularly vulnerable on long left hand sweepers where the oil can escape the baffle from around the oil level sensor "hole".

LS1M

iTrader: (3)

I have an accusump

But I'm totally paranoid about my engine. I don't even autox - just drag race. I've got a delay timer so the engine is always pre-lubed when it starts. Oil tests show a significant improvement in wear...

http://ls1m.com/accusump/

Never finished the site after I remounted it. Couldn't find a better place, so it's tucked up between the crank pulley & radiator bottom. Necessary? Probably not at my level. Worth the peace of mind, though.

-Mark

Louis

iTrader: (7)

If you are running 1 lap, the tires are not that sticky as compared to a hoosier or Toyo Proxes T1s. On top of that, you get what, 4 laps per little session? 8 laps total at any given track?

Not enough to need it IMO.

BadAndy

I was under the impression that the F and Y bodies used slightly different oil pans and that the Vette had a higher claimed/recommended oil capacity. Is 7 quarts cool for a stock F body pan as well, or is that going to start dragging on the crank?

tcmc5

That sounds like pretty good advice, however, you're probably going to be driving the car in other events too, perhaps with R-compound tires, and the Accusump would be relatively cheap insurance. I've done lots of track events with other LS1/LS6s and haven't yet seen an engine failure on non-equipped cars. Still, I'm happy with my decision to install one on mine.

Louis

iTrader: (7)

Is it a bad Idea? No. Can it hurt things? No.

I feel it is a bandaid, but in some series and some situations you have no other choice.

Get it with the delay, and with the electric valve. No sense in having to deal with the manual valves

RX-Ben

iTrader: (7)

Thanks again. The car (RX7 with an LS1) will weigh a little over 2600 pounds and have 275/315 tires which is why I said "megastick." While I'll be using street tires for the One Lap, I do plan on running R compounds for track days.

In any case, I'll put this mod off until I notice issues with the oil pressure. Putting in 7 quarts is a whole lot easier/cheaper.

Ben

dmtnt

I run one in my Z06 with the electric valve that discharges below 20 psi. Also works great as a pre-oiler.

racecar

If you use the Accusump as a pre oiler, then when you flip the switch to fill it up again does the oil pressure drop enough to make the engine knock. The only one that I have ever seen had a manual valve and when the valve was opened to pressure the sump, it knocked. Is this normal or just an engine with bad bearings?

dmtnt

I've never experienced that. Mine has the electric valve so it refills automatically. I turn on the ignition, flip the switch to pre-oil, then start the car - no knock ever.

Racer5.0

I've run six SCCA races in a 2002 Camaro and blown three engines. All three have spun rod bearings and thrown rods. I shift at 6000 rpm, use Mobil 1 oil and use GM or Federal Mogul bearings. Same failure with "crate" motor and "blueprinted" engine.
The SCCA does not allow Accusumps in my class, if your class does, run one!

dmtnt

No Accusumps in T2?? I know they're allowed in T1. Time to petition for some rule changes! Its not like it adds any performance, just protection.

Tavarez

GOing to be adding an accusump too for safety.