I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I want to be sure.

I'm in the finishing stages of swapping an LY6 to my Trans Am. LS1 pan = 5.5 quarts correct? I know if it were in the truck with the deeper pan, it would take 6.

Also, If I'm using the LS1 pan, I use the LS1 dipstick and tube right?

 

I may be missing something here, but if you use the tube and dipstick that came with whatever engine you are using, it shouldn't matter what oil pan you use - the dipstick is going to measure whatever level is right for that engine. If the pan is bigger/deeper you'll just have more oil - just fill it to the proper level on the stick...

 

Well, I couldn't use the dipstick from the old motor because it was damaged when it was removed from the truck. I feel like if you use the pan from an f-body and the stick and tube from the original motor, you might not get an accurate reading for the motor depending on how far in/out the end of the tube/stick sits in the pan because it isn't the original pan.

I did a little more digging (it was in the stick that I looked over countless times ) and apparently you are supposed to use the LS1 dipstick and tube when swapping. Thanks for the input!

 

I would say use dipstick and tube for whatever pan cause i believe all holes in block are in same place. Different depth pan different length dipstick In theory

 

" Different depth pan different length dipstick In theory"


Not necessarily - depends on what you're trying to accomplish.


If you want to maintain the "factory" distance between the top of your oil reservoir and the bottom of the crank, then you should use the stock tube and dipstick that came with that motor regardless of the oil pan depth. You can add two feet to the bottom of your oil pan, but the top of your oil reservoir will always be the same. All you're doing is adding more oil to the "bottom" of the oil pan, so to speak. A lot of people add more capacity as away of keeping temperatures cooler.


If you're trying to lower the distance from the crank to the top of your oil reservoir to control oil splash better, then you might want a longer dipstick. Or you can do what I have done in the past when switching to a 8 or 10 qt oil pan, and just fill the oil to the "1 quart" low mark or the "2 quart" low mark depending on how far away you want to move the oil away from the crank.

 

If you insist. My theory /idea would never to move oil to or away from crank just add or subtract capacity. To each his own. Enjoy

 

Sorry. Didn't mean to offend you or dispute what you said - just adding a different perspective...