Sumps

[LathamJohnP]

Here's a techie question from a mechanical incompetent...

ringram just mentioned on another thread that Monaros are prone to oil starvation problems. This probably isn't unusual on fast road cars, as there tend to be more forces to push the oil away from places it needs to be.

I had a dry sump on my Caterham Fireblade, and it was great. Having a huge reservoir of oil (couple of litres for a 919cc engine) meant never worrying about running low, or oil getting too hot etc. It also meant the engine could be mounted lower, and there was no risk of ripping the sump off on a bumpy road. And it looked great in the engine bay (ok, that's really sad).

Is there a reason why Monaros, VXR8s etc (or all fast road cars for that matter) aren't dry sumped?

I suppose having a large supply of oil doesn't necessarily prevent starvation if the oil flow around the block is poorly designed, but nonetheless it seems an obvious thing to include for little cost.

John

[S600VXR]

I think it comes down to cost of the components as the drag racing boys dont go for it on this basis so a road car the size of a Monaro would be very expensive for the limited protection needs

[ringram]

One of the main issues is that Holdens have the oil pickup located further forward than US applications. The new VE has a redesigned sump which is located further back, I think may even be a standard US spec sump. The difference between the VZ L76 engine and VE L98 is mainly the sump.

[stigmundfreud]

?? Isnt the ls7 dry sumped?

[stevieturbo]

LS7 equipped Vette is dry sumped.