CF/Kevlar dry sump pan
Discussion
Can anyone think of a reason why a sump pan for a dry sump system couldn't be made from carbon fibre/kevlar? Is epoxy resin up to handling the temperature?
I guess that a composite sump pan would not dissipate heat as well as an aluminium casting, but is the oil in contact with the dry sump pan long enough for this to be a problem?
The reason for asking is that although there are pans available for my engine (XE), the installation would be easier with a different shaped pan. My DIY composite skills are coming on in leaps and bounds, but I'd rather not end up with a gooey/oily/melted mess if epoxy won't cope with the heat. My fallback position is a fabricated steel jobby.
(FWIW, I'd be vacuum bagging and cooking the part - sort of poor man's autoclave.)
Any advice and/or product recommendations gratefully accepted.
Paul
I guess that a composite sump pan would not dissipate heat as well as an aluminium casting, but is the oil in contact with the dry sump pan long enough for this to be a problem?
The reason for asking is that although there are pans available for my engine (XE), the installation would be easier with a different shaped pan. My DIY composite skills are coming on in leaps and bounds, but I'd rather not end up with a gooey/oily/melted mess if epoxy won't cope with the heat. My fallback position is a fabricated steel jobby.
(FWIW, I'd be vacuum bagging and cooking the part - sort of poor man's autoclave.)
Any advice and/or product recommendations gratefully accepted.
Paul
cmsapms said:
Can anyone think of a reason why a sump pan for a dry sump system couldn't be made from carbon fibre/kevlar? Is epoxy resin up to handling the temperature?
I guess that a composite sump pan would not dissipate heat as well as an aluminium casting, but is the oil in contact with the dry sump pan long enough for this to be a problem?
The reason for asking is that although there are pans available for my engine (XE), the installation would be easier with a different shaped pan. My DIY composite skills are coming on in leaps and bounds, but I'd rather not end up with a gooey/oily/melted mess if epoxy won't cope with the heat. My fallback position is a fabricated steel jobby.
(FWIW, I'd be vacuum bagging and cooking the part - sort of poor man's autoclave.)
Any advice and/or product recommendations gratefully accepted.
Paul
Just asked a similar question, but regarding an inlet manifold. Be interesting to hear the replies. I guess that a composite sump pan would not dissipate heat as well as an aluminium casting, but is the oil in contact with the dry sump pan long enough for this to be a problem?
The reason for asking is that although there are pans available for my engine (XE), the installation would be easier with a different shaped pan. My DIY composite skills are coming on in leaps and bounds, but I'd rather not end up with a gooey/oily/melted mess if epoxy won't cope with the heat. My fallback position is a fabricated steel jobby.
(FWIW, I'd be vacuum bagging and cooking the part - sort of poor man's autoclave.)
Any advice and/or product recommendations gratefully accepted.
Paul
I'd make sure you use a chemically intert resin though, I guess hot oil is not going to be friendly with the resin...
Imlet manifold should be fine, however im not sure on the sump.
Totally off topic but i have heard about a company that makes a compersite (not sure of the makeup) that can take exhaust gas temps. Well actually it was jet engine temps! also it was about 30% lighter than the inconnel alternative!
Totally off topic but i have heard about a company that makes a compersite (not sure of the makeup) that can take exhaust gas temps. Well actually it was jet engine temps! also it was about 30% lighter than the inconnel alternative!
Oil temps in the sump should not exceed 150degC, so as long as you use a suitable resin then i don't see it being a problem. Would will need to think about what structural part it plays, and be prepared for the engine to be really noisy, as the plain non damped CF part will almost certainly amplifiy the engines bottom end vibrations!
(btw, some modern production engines are moving towards a thermoplastic sump for cost reasons)
(btw, some modern production engines are moving towards a thermoplastic sump for cost reasons)
chuntington101 said:
Imlet manifold should be fine, however im not sure on the sump.
Totally off topic but i have heard about a company that makes a compersite (not sure of the makeup) that can take exhaust gas temps. Well actually it was jet engine temps! also it was about 30% lighter than the inconnel alternative!
Isn't this what Lambo are using for the new 'all carbon' concept car...Some kind of Ceramic composite?Totally off topic but i have heard about a company that makes a compersite (not sure of the makeup) that can take exhaust gas temps. Well actually it was jet engine temps! also it was about 30% lighter than the inconnel alternative!
Also thought about carbon fibre coolant hoses...a lot lighter than silicone, but again, wondered about what the antifreeze content of the coolant would do to the resin...
That's the great thing about composites...can make SO much stuff starting with 'just' a wooden mould....gets yout thinking...
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