Oil Control

[rrunner68]

As my driving progresses, and shortfalls in my car become apparent, I think that the next big hurdle should be oil control and crankcase evacuation. That said, I'm looking to do the best "bang for the buck" setup. Aside from a Melling high volume pump, the oiling system in my BBM is bone stock. At a minimum, I would think I should get a pressure warning light and a Milidon road race pan. Should I be looking to do a swinging pick up as well, or will the baffleing in the pan be sufficient?

I've been told that accumulators can be a no-no, due to severe drop in pressure when the accumulator is re-filling. Any merit to this?

As far as crankcase ventalation, is it best to just run a well baffled electric pump, or is the overflow catch can the way to go? Currently I just have a breather on each valve cover, adn those tend to get pretty messy in hard cornering conditions. So I know they are more than inadequite. I'm open to suggestion, and pictures of peticular setups would be most appreciated.

[GetMore]

I would definitely upgrade the pan. The baffling in a road-race pan should be enough if used with the correct pickup for the pan.

I don't know about a "drop" in pressure when refilling an accumulator, but if the accumulator empties it will take a little while for the pressure to come all the way back up. I think the high volume pump will help a lot with this.

CCV: if the baffles in the valve covers are insufficient to control the oil then I think you are going the require a catch can. The oil that gets sucked/blown out the covers will have to go somewhere.

[Bow Tie 67]

I've been told that accumulators can be a no-no, due to severe drop in pressure when the accumulator is re-filling. Any merit to this?

.

My research has shown an accusump is a good thing. If you plan on racing it hard, especially if there are long left hand sweepers, its insurance that is needed. Many have had blown engines without one. At the Motor State Challenge there were at least two engines that expired, one being LS based architecture. I ordered one yesterday.

[yellow heap]

A good RR pan(with matching pick up)will have no problems in most applications.

[rrunner68]

Okay, so the pan and pick up upgrades are a must.

What is the proper plumbing for a catch can, for an older motor? This is teh engine as it sits now....

[Pro Stock]

Matt is right about the accusump, it only supplies oil to the engine when a pressure drop occurs, another benifit of the system is the ability to pre-oil the engine before start up, most engine wear occures within the first few seconds of start up (including cranking time). The pan and pickup are also a good plan. The abosolute best (and most expensive way) to control crankcase breathing is to run a vacuum pump, they are also worth power due to decreased windage and better ring seal, if you run this set up do not run any other breathers (none) if you try to run the breathers you won't be able to create any vacuum , these systems can be had for about $600, if you don't go this route you can install a breather system that crosses over between the valve covers as used on wet sump circle track engines, make sure that your covers are well baffled.

-Dale