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.

 

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).

 

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.

 

timing chain cover?

 

the sts kit drains into the oil cap on the valve cover.

 

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

 

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.

 

I would do it in the timing cover.Maybe weld some fittings near the top of the cover.

 

EPP did it to the front of the oil 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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

mine is in the front of my pan