I had an engine built based on the Dart LS Next block.

I bought the block right before they came out with the aluminum blocks (version 2 maybe). It is non skirted and I used the extensions so a a stock oil pan can be used.

After it was built (a couple months ago) the builder gave me back my old windage tray and I thought he said none was needed.

Can someone confirm if that is true? I see that there are kits that you can get that allow you to use the GM windage tray. I just want to make sure before I install it.

I was also wondering if those crank scrappers are worth it? Looks like they went way up in price over the years.

 

My builder didn't use ours either. Said the same thing and it worried me. We have the same block. When we would take the motor to 7000+ rpm we would see variations in the oil pressure on a mechanical gauge. We have a Milodon pan and it sits pretty close to the crank. They said the oil would have to travel the lenght of the tray then the length of the pan before going to the sump. After probably 50 nitrous passes and 20 dyno pulls it was still together. Decided to take it back to them and have them pull the pan off to look at the bearings. They did it right in front of me. The bearings still looked like they were just installed brand new. Also after seein how they attach the tray in there, no way would I use that setup.After the season and many more passes. We pulled the pan off to check them again. Still looked brand new. Decided to go old school and make my own windage tray. I ordered 4 windage tray 2000 studs from ARP. Part number RWS-9B They are 716ths x 5.80 in length. They are reduced to a 3/8ths stud for the tray. You will also need eight 200-8600 3/8ths windage tray nuts. This is so you can get your height adjustment right. The tray only covers the sump leaving a 3/8ths gap above the pan floor. We now have zero variation in the oil pressure. As for a crank scrapper don't waste your money. Anyway that is what we did. Your set up might be different. But in the end it appears they were right. I asked about the trap door settup too and they said they will not use them. They said you don't want to slow the oil down going to the pick up. I have never used one before but I wanted to ask. Anyway still together, and still screaming its guts out.
Best of Luck to you on whatever you decide.

 

We used it on my skirted block with my stock LS1 F-body pan but it was a super pain in the *** to make work

 

Does Improved Racing make anything for this application?

 

Ok thanks. Appreciate the information. Seems like running one is a better choice for a wet sump type oil system.

 

Unfortunately we don't make anything for the non-skirted blocks.

Dart should really offer a windage tray for their blocks. It seems crazy to me that they make a block but no one offers a windage tray for it. They should make the accessories or at least tell you where you can get it. Perhaps they believe a windage tray is not necessary.

 

I totally agree and i was very surprised by this. Their answer to what to use was basically a stock LS1 windage tray which we ended up using. It needed to be cut and modified to work. Like i said......it was a total PITA. Not sure it is even working to it's full potential but it's in there.

 

I am starting the engine assembly this weekend for the Dart LS Next skirted. Has anyone tried the Mast Motorsport windage tray for LS strokers? Thoughts?

https://www.mastmotorsports.com/prod...r-windage-tray

 

https://borowskirace.com/products/da...29181300408419 this is what we ended up using with some slight modifications

 

His block is non skirted. If its like mine, all the main caps are not drilled and tapped. The other setup only uses 5 bolts on that big stock tray. Also, that is my engine builder. He wouldn't use them on our motor. That is why we designed and made our own. It is held it there with 4 ARP 2000 studs. Tray is only 6"x 6". It only covers the sump area. Works perfect.

 

From this video it doesn't look like the skirting should effect the mounting of the windage tray but I don't know for sure.

 

That is the kit for the skirted blocks. They have threaded holes in all five main caps. The none skirted don't. That will not work on yours. They have a kit for the none skirted but it don't look like it would hang.

 

I talked to several people with the LS Next blocks on the TurboBullet facebook page and every one of them said no windage tray. I had this same issue with mine as well and didn't end up running one. I also went with a moroso pan though and do not have any oiling issues. I do get what I consider a little more than normal amount of oil vapor our my catch can set up that may be approved with a windage tray but at this point I'm not too upset about it.

 

I ended up e-mailing Horsepower Research (HPR). They sell a kit to use the stock windage tray. They pretty much confirmed what some have said. It sounds like in the early design the mains were not drilled to allow for the mounting of the windage tray.

The only way to know is to check. I guess I should. Sounds like if you don't have one you can have aeration.

Maybe I'll try e-mailing the builder.

 

I went with the HRP kit as well. Turns out they are 40 minutes away from where I live. I drove over to pick it up and met Anthony and the team. Great guys. Very nice clean facility building engines. I ended up trimming of one corner to clear the pick up tube. Worked great and quality built product.

TT

 

Yup my block was the first of 12 made and it did not have any threaded holes in the main caps