Deep Sump Oil Pan Spacer, when is it required?

[ekam]

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/me...y_Code=ENGMECH Do you guys think I need this if I were to only go to the track 2-3 times a year? I won't be running R compounds so it's unlikely I'll achieve high G forces. How can I tell if the engine is getting oil starvation? And what's the difference in putting that in versus the X51 Oil Pan with Baffles??

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[SuncoastRyan]

We have installed many x51 oil pans, and what it does is stop the oil from moving around inside your oil pan. Keeps the oil in more of a centralized area. The spacer will basically add a 1/4 quart of oil to your engine block.

If you were going to track your car 2-3 times a year the x51 pan to me seems like a better choice. You can always add the spacer later or vice-versa.

Let me know if you would like a shipping quote or any other information.

[umwolverine]

Originally Posted by SuncoastRyan

We have installed many x51 oil pans, and what it does is stop the oil from moving around inside your oil pan. Keeps the oil in more of a centralized area. The spacer will basically add a 1/4 quart of oil to your engine block.

If you were going to track your car 2-3 times a year the x51 pan to me seems like a better choice. You can always add the spacer later or vice-versa.

Let me know if you would like a shipping quote or any other information.

Hey Ryan,

I'll be running about once a month at the track, and will be putting on R compounds next month. Can you give me some info on the X51?

[arenared]

I was told by Suncoast last year that the X51 pan will not fit the 986 Boxster. Is that not the case (based on your reply)?

[arenared]

Personally, I don't think that 1/2 quart is going to make much of a difference. Also, I think there's little benefit of using an oil pan spacer when the oil pump pickup is not lowered to pickup the extra 1/2 qt of oil. LN Engineering makes an oil pump extension to use with the spacers: http://www.lnengineering.com/deepsump.html though. I think the X51 pan (or similar) would have vastly more benefit than the pan extension, but if I could do the X51 pan, I would do both since the thing is apart anyway. On the 986, there are two oil scavenging pumps in the engine heads. One is left front, the other is right rear. Thus, oil accumulation can occur in the right front under heavy braking in a left turn. I doubt you will be able to pull enough G's acceleration to have the same in the other side of the engine. With street tires, Boxsters are capable of pulling more than 1G. It just depends on what kind of G's and how long. I don't think you'll know you have oil starvation since you don't have an oil pressure gauge, and even if you did, you'd probably not be looking at it at 1G.

[suncoastric]

See those little rubber flaps hanging down? That's what makes the X51 oil pan unique, the flaps open & close during significant oil shifts. The force of the shifting oil closes the flap, and helps to keep oil in the center chamber for an extended amount of time. Since these flaps are not installed on most models, oil can rush out of the center chamber under extreme conditions and bam.......the oil pick-up tube has no oil. This piece has been very effective, and a great alternative to replacing an entire engine. Driving these cars to the extremes does have it's risks, but this should help to reduce that risk.

The X51 pan can be modified to fit most late model cars, there is an edge on the vertical bracket which has to be cut to clear the inner components (I have a templete with dimensions). A mechanic should be able to make the modifications with a grinder. It can be fitted on any Boxster, Cayman, or 1999+ Carrera (not required for Turbo, GT2, or GT3 models).



We're going to be replacing our old oil pan spacer kit with this version from Flat6 Inovations. This has the same gaskets, but also adds an oil pick-up extension. This adds more oil to the entire case, and the extension will allow for a deeper submersion of the oil pick-up. You can install this kit seperate, or in combination with the X51 oil pan for the maximum prevention.


EKAM mentioned: "How can I tell if the engine is getting oil starvation?" If you have oil starvation, I'm pretty sure that means your engine has just been destroyed. It's not a subtle thing, a pretty serious situation. Hope this info helps.

[arenared]

Too bad I just changed my oil! Do you have a picture of the template used to modify the X51 baffles to fit the 986S Boxster?

[suncoastric]

Email me at rknab@sunsetautogroup.com.

[Gator Bite]

Any improvement to the lubrication system is a smart move. Our M97s have some disappointing lubrication flaws.

I like the idea of the X-51 sump extension and baffle kit, but ultimately this is not enough for a car driven on the track with R compounds. Several people with these sump alterations have learned that the hard way.

It seems another problem is the pooling of oil in the valve covers, ultimately leading to oil starvation and a spun bearing. The new DFI engines have dual scavenging pumps in the valve covers, so this doesn't seem to be a problem for them (kind of early to tell, but theoretically this should solve the problem).


The ultimate lubrication improvement would include:

• This sump modification
• A modification to the scavenging system in the valve covers
• The addition of an Accusump system
• The addition of an Oil Pressure Guage

That's my 2 cents.

BTW - I have nothing but love for the Suncoast guys. They've taken super good care of me.

[umwolverine]

So are we saying I'm going to have oil starvation problems if I put R-compounds on the Cayman? If so, I'll just continue to drive with the street tires.