When is a dry sump needed?

[brownz]

Im looking at getting a LS3 525hp crate engine for my 79 camaro. I will put the engine in and do more work to it down the road. I will be doing some HPDE's in the future and auto cross. The car will also be driven on the street.

My question is when would a dry sump be needed? I see that they are not the cheapest but would like to have the insurance on the bigger tracks. I have also looked into the accusump system. Any recommendations on a route to go. For anyone that has done a dry sump what should I look to spend? 3k-3500 is what Im thinking


Brandon

[Schwartz Performance]

We've autocrossed stock LS3's with no failures for a while- but an Accusump would be a cost effective option. Dry sumps are really needed on purpose built racecars with sticky tires. The LS7 isn't a true dry sump but it works well with oil pan baffles if you're doing a lot of track days.
If you haven't gotten an engine yet I can supply you one for just as good of a deal as you could get from Jegs or Pace.. Just FYI! Transmissions too.

-Dale

[brownz]

Thanks dale. I will definitely keep that in mind

[71maroesteban]

I just went with an ls1 oil pan and improved racing baffle on my ls3 seems to be the cheapest way to improve the whole oil starvation issue many have

[71RS/SS396]

Brandon, you are thinking in the right direction with a dry sump. I would disagree with Dale that dry sumps are for purpose built race cars, theses cars are capable of generating some serious g loads with the improvement in tires in the last few years. We've had mixed results with wet sumps and accusumps. The achilles heel of the LS engine is it's oiling system, the oil pump being driven at crank shaft speed causes aeration in the oil over 6,000 rpm. The LS also suffers from terrible windage due to the skirted block, the longer the stroke of the engine the worse the problem is. A proper dry sump can address both of these issues and aid in ring sealing which will free up some extra power. I'm putting the finishing touches on a new engine build with a 5 stage Dailey pump, simply going from a 3 stage to a 5 stage gained 20 hp since it put the crankcase in vacuum, the oil pressure holds steady at 85 psi @ 8,000 rpm. The capacity and baffling of the oil tank is very important as well. I custom built a tank for mine since I couldn't really find a suitable tank that I could package in the car.
This thread shows the tank https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/108254-New-Bullet-Pics

[brownz]

Brandon, you are thinking in the right direction with a dry sump. I would disagree with Dale that dry sumps are for purpose built race cars, theses cars are capable of generating some serious g loads with the improvement in tires in the last few years. We've had mixed results with wet sumps and accusumps. The achilles heel of the LS engine is it's oiling system, the oil pump being driven at crank shaft speed causes aeration in the oil over 6,000 rpm. The LS also suffers from terrible windage due to the skirted block, the longer the stroke of the engine the worse the problem is. A proper dry sump can address both of these issues and aid in ring sealing which will free up some extra power. I'm putting the finishing touches on a new engine build with a 5 stage Dailey pump, simply going from a 3 stage to a 5 stage gained 20 hp since it put the crankcase in vacuum, the oil pressure holds steady at 85 psi @ 8,000 rpm. The capacity and baffling of the oil tank is very important as well. I custom built a tank for mine since I couldn't really find a suitable tank that I could package in the car.
This thread shows the tank https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/108254-New-Bullet-Pics

Thanks for the reply Tim. Yeah Im trying to find the happy middle ground. I dont know if the budget will allow a dry sump but I do want to make sure I take every action that I can to make sure I dont loose an engine.

That new engine is SWEET by the way!!!

[parsonsj]

Tim, sweet motor!

I've upgraded my LS7 by adding another scavenge stage. I pulled the pan, welded bungs, added a pump, etc. From now on, all my cars will get a dry sump from the start.

[71RS/SS396]

Tim, sweet motor!

I've upgraded my LS7 by adding another scavenge stage. I pulled the pan, welded bungs, added a pump, etc. From now on, all my cars will get a dry sump from the start.

Thanks for the props John. I agree these cars have gotten so good even on street tires, that it severely taxes the oiling system with a wet sump.