Dry Sump

[Davis]

I looked at a car a week or so ago that had a dry sump. As I know little about them I would be interested in hearing some opinions regarding their usefulness.

[Gary L]

Errrr.... Dry sump? IT car? Last time I looked, dry sump systems were expressly forbidden in IT unless the car came with the system from the factory.

Having said that, their usefulness is manifold... more horsepower, better lubrication, lower oil temps, etc.

[joeg]

Outside of IT...very useful.

Reduces the oil in the sump, thereby reducing or eliminating "windage"--parasitic drag on the crank caused by oil roping around the crank from the sump.

Has cooling benefits, also.

[Wreckerboy]

A dry sump also allows the engine to be mounted lower in the chassis (lack of a bulky oil pan) for better CG, etc.

[Davis]

You are correct sir! This wouldn't be for IT. Disadvantages???

[Greg Amy]

Addtional costs ($$$) and complexity.

Development time if someone hasn't already done it.

Extra pumps that can fail.

Extra lines that can fail.

A belt that can fail.

[Bill Miller]

15-20 Qts of oil, per change, as opposed to 5-8. At $4-$8/Qt, that adds up.

[Z3_GoCar]

Originally posted by GregAmy@Oct 27 2005, 09:00 AM
Addtional costs ($$$) and complexity.

Development time if someone hasn't already done it.

Extra pumps that can fail.

Extra lines that can fail.

A belt that can fail.

[snapback]63818[/snapback]

Don't forget extra tank that can fail/ be puctured in off track incidents

James

[RonInSD]

Depending on the install and design there is a HP increase that come from the increase in crank case vacuum.

[tom_sprecher]

Having dicked with a dry sump on a CFC I'll give you my $.02 in order of decreasing importance.

Advantages
1. Oil pump always has a steady supply of air free oil that is not effected by g-forces.
2. Allows engine to be mounted as low as possible in the frame.
3. You decide how much oil you want in the car (as little a 3 qt to a 55 gal drum if you wanted.
4. You decide what pump, how fast you want to spin it, and where you want to scavange from.
5. Little or no oil in the sump eliminates windage for more HP at high rpms.
6. It looks cool

Disadvantages
1. Cost
2. Weight
3. Leaks
4. Additional maintanence
5. Complexity (more of everything like hoses, fittings, etc.)

IMO without a doubt the best way to oil your engine on a car if you race. If it was legal in IT my car would have one.