oil pan/bellhousing integrity.
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From: Norn Iron
oil pan/bellhousing integrity. Not sure which section this is best asked.....
But I am considering swapping the stock cast Camaro oil pan ( that has been cut/welded ) to a fabricated steel oil pan.
This steel pan will make fitment to my car easier, and is probably better in terms of oil control..
BUT, and its a big but.
The steel pan isnt that nice, and will be nowhere near as strong/rigid as teh cast pan. Im sure it will hold the oil fine, but it aint **** hot in terms of construction. ( but I guess most steel pans arent anyway ). It also doesnt provide fixings for the lower 2 bellhousing bolts.
Given I intend to run low 10's, and maybe faster, T56 car of course.....should I be concerned about using such an oil pan ?
But I am considering swapping the stock cast Camaro oil pan ( that has been cut/welded ) to a fabricated steel oil pan.
This steel pan will make fitment to my car easier, and is probably better in terms of oil control..
BUT, and its a big but.
The steel pan isnt that nice, and will be nowhere near as strong/rigid as teh cast pan. Im sure it will hold the oil fine, but it aint **** hot in terms of construction. ( but I guess most steel pans arent anyway ). It also doesnt provide fixings for the lower 2 bellhousing bolts.
Given I intend to run low 10's, and maybe faster, T56 car of course.....should I be concerned about using such an oil pan ?
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
This I know...... 
But. Given the block is already a 6 bolt main ( cross bolted ) surely the block is pretty rigid anyway without the pan ?
basically, the problem I have, is that the stock pan that was cut and welded warped badly during welding.
So I had machined flat again...no big deal, I lost a little thickness on the mounting flange.
But because of this, the rear corner has cracked where the bolt fixes it. This is the same corner the oil filter sits. ( First pan modified in same way did same thing, except it actually broke off )
The pan has never leaked though...but its something in the back of my mind.
But. Given the block is already a 6 bolt main ( cross bolted ) surely the block is pretty rigid anyway without the pan ?
basically, the problem I have, is that the stock pan that was cut and welded warped badly during welding.
So I had machined flat again...no big deal, I lost a little thickness on the mounting flange.
But because of this, the rear corner has cracked where the bolt fixes it. This is the same corner the oil filter sits. ( First pan modified in same way did same thing, except it actually broke off )
The pan has never leaked though...but its something in the back of my mind.
Originally Posted by stevieturbo
It also doesnt provide fixings for the lower 2 bellhousing bolts.
Given I intend to run low 10's, and maybe faster, T56 car of course.....should I be concerned about using such an oil pan ?
Given I intend to run low 10's, and maybe faster, T56 car of course.....should I be concerned about using such an oil pan ?
And I say some people, because someone makes an LSX bellhousing to adapt a th400 and retain all eight bolts but it's expensive.
