Does the 3800 need a baffled oil pan? (Page 1/1)
Additivewalnut SEP 21, 11:08 PM
I recently had a thought after watching Donut Media's hi low series with WRXs. Both of which blew up due to oil starvation on track from all the oil sloshing to one side of the pan. I couldn't find a definitive answer on this, so do 3800s or frankly any V type engine suffer from that? Or is it just a characteristic of flat engines?
Frenchrafe SEP 22, 02:30 AM
Yes!
You do need a baffled and/or deeper oil pan.
The side to side motion of hard cornering moves the oil up the side of the pan and away from the oil pickup.
Not so much flywheel side but on lond hard left turns, the sloped damper side lets the oil run up and then bang! You just threw a rod bearing!

I have a video on how I fixed this. Check out @turboslugfiero.

Normal driving, even drag racing, doesn't show up this problem on most engines. But circuit racing, and sustained hard cornering will.

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"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero
https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM

[This message has been edited by Frenchrafe (edited 09-22-2024).]

Patrick SEP 22, 03:54 AM

quote
Originally posted by Additivewalnut:

Or is it just a characteristic of flat engines?



It can be a problem for any engine layout, but it's especially bad with "flat" engines. When I bought my '98 JDM Subaru Impreza STi a half-dozen years ago, before I took it on the track for autocross, I swapped the oil pan, the internal baffle and the oil pickup for later improved styles that were less problematic with oil starvation in the sweeps.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-22-2024).]

Additivewalnut SEP 22, 11:17 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

It can be a problem for any engine layout, but it's especially bad with "flat" engines. When I bought my '98 JDM Subaru Impreza STi a half-dozen years ago, before I took it on the track for autocross, I swapped the oil pan, the internal baffle and the oil pickup for later improved styles that were less problematic with oil starvation in the sweeps.




You'd think a car built for rally would've had something in place for that already.... And good lord Patrick what car haven't you owned?
Patrick SEP 22, 04:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by Additivewalnut:

You'd think a car built for rally would've had something in place for that already.



I suspect the full rally prepped STi's had many modifications done that the versions released to the public didn't have done. The oil starvation issue (due to the oil in the pan sloshing away from the oil pickup) probably wouldn't occur in 99.99% of normal driving, but I didn't want to take any chances with it possibly occurring at autocross.


quote
Originally posted by Additivewalnut:

And good lord Patrick what car haven't you owned?



Considering I've had a drivers license for 52(!) years, I really haven't owned that many vehicles. Six non-Fieros, and six Fieros. Twelve cars during that time span isn't a lot.