Retro LSX pan clearance

[Jim98ta]

Hey everyone. I am putting an LS2 into a 69 Camaro and seem to have pretty tight clearance on the oil pan.

I am using Hooker adapter plates, Poly motor mounts, and small block engine stands. The pan is a Retro LSX pan which has a rounded bottom to it. It is just barely touching on the drivers side at the perimeter of the recessed section of the frame.

Has anyone else run into this? I think it might end up being OK, I don't have the trans on it yet so it might change a little.

Wanted to see if anyone else experienced this or has any thoughts on a way to get a little more clearance..

Thanks for taking a look at this..

[CamaroAJ]

it will vibrate and drive you nuts.

[Jim98ta]

I was a bit worried about that. Also worried it will mess with the knock sensors.

I'm thinking of adding a washer between the motor mounts and the adapter plates to see if that gets it off of the frame.

[CamaroAJ]

it very well could cause a false knock.

[Jim98ta]

Any idea how much space I need between the frame and pan for safe clearance?

[CamaroAJ]

i would think 1/4" at the min would be ok. from the looks of your pictures i think i would shim the drivers side. the passenger side clears pretty nicely.

[CarlC]

You may want to consider finding out if the poly motor mount manufacturer offers a taller version.

[CamaroAJ]

looking at the picture maybe its there maybe not but there should be a preload shim between the mount and the adapter plate.

they also have these if you can't find a tall version like carl said.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Trans+Dapt/969/4125/10002/-1

[Jim98ta]

Great info and thanks for the link. There wasn't a preload shim included with these mounts. I think I'll work on getting the trans on, then see where it sits. Then I can figure out the best place to put some shims/etc to get space. I'll look into taller mounts to see whats avail too.

[BigMal69]

I also have the LHx pan from Retrolsx and have the exact same issue. It hits in the exact spot. Did you ever figure out a good solution?

[overZealous1]

i have one too. using all solid mounts though so 1/8" clearance will be fine for me.
with my set up at 3 degrees though and maxing out trans height (without modding trans tunnel) the lsx pan still sits lower than the crossmember. this was the reason i bought the pan in the first place to NOT have that happen. my car is really low, so will have to be making a 1/4" skid plate for it now.

[Jim98ta]

What I ended up doing was 'dimpling' the frame just a little, then I added one washer between the mount plates and the motor mount 'stands' that are cast into the block. I figured since the plates basically mount to pedestals on the block, a washer at that point would not hurt. With those two things done I ended up with about 1/4 inch clearance with everything in place.

[dhutton]

This is the reason why I prefer the look of the Mast pan. It is not as deep at the front of the pan. When I tried to order it a few months back it was not available yet.

http://www.mastmotorsports.com/2010/product-view.php?cat=Oil%20Pans&id=160