Oil Accumulator question....

[aronhk_md]

Ok, before I start just a quick note.....this isnt the "do you think I need an oil accumulator" question...lol.

Since I hope to eventually do a bit of road racing, and also for extra insurance on start ups I am considering the addition of a 3 qt oil accumulator.

My question is about the specifics of where that 3 qts of oil resides at all times. Moroso's instruction sheet basically says that after initially charging to 100 psi to move the piston all the down you bleed it to 6 psi, add the additional 3 qts to the pan and then start the engine.

However, my understanding of how it works makes me wonder if my engine at idle and 15psi oil pressure is only going to partially fill this 3 qt reservoir.....basically leaving excess oil (1 qt?, 2 qt?) in my oil pan? That 6 psi in the accumulator will climb as oil is forced into it, so while it might be full once oil pressure reaches a certain rpm......

From what I've noticed I'm at about 15 psi at idle, 35-40 psi at 1800 rpm, and a full 70 psi (the oil pump has been shimmed for a little extra pressure) at anything over around 2200 rpm.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

P.S. - The engine is a 462 ci Pontiac with a 77mm Garret T6 turbo, or as I tell people a 455 powered Dyson type vacuum cleaner....that filter is where I attach the hose.

[Vegas69]

I run a 3 qt Moroso unit and it takes just shy of 3 quarts. I leave mine off unless I'm on the road course. Once in a while I'll turn it on just to mix the oil. 15psi will overcome 6 psi. It's simple to check. While idling at 15 psi, close the valve and shut off the engine. Check your oil level.

[aronhk_md]

Vegas,

Unfortunately I cant check yet as I havent purchased it...hence the question...lol. I'm guessing you have though. Do you operate yours manually? Did you make your own lever system?

Thanks

[Pro Stock]

I run a 3 qt Moroso unit and it takes just shy of 3 quarts. I leave mine off unless I'm on the road course. Once in a while I'll turn it on just to mix the oil. 15psi will overcome 6 psi. It's simple to check. While idling at 15 psi, close the valve and shut off the engine. Check your oil level.

Ditto


Dale

[Vegas69]

Vegas,

Unfortunately I cant check yet as I havent purchased it...hence the question...lol. I'm guessing you have though. Do you operate yours manually? Did you make your own lever system?

Thanks

I do operate it manually and moroso sends the manual valve with the accumulator.

[aronhk_md]

Thanks guys.....another question then. If 15 psi will move the entire 3 qts into the accumulator, why do you run it turned off most of the time except for track use? Why not just leave it on while the motor is running?

Also, Moroso's instructions dont make a lot of sense to me. Basically on initial startup they are saying add the extra 3 qts into your oil pan.....but it would seem to me on that first startup your engine bearings are going to be starved while the oil pump fills the accumulator.

[Vegas69]

That is exactly why I leave mine off except during road racing. When you start the engine with the valve open, it does take longer to build oil pressure. I normally open the valve slowly with the engine running. On the flip side, flushing the bearings when the engine hasn't been started in sometime is probably beneficial.

[Tiger]

I havent installed mine yet but I plan to use a "choke" cable to activate the valve from the inside of the car.

[aronhk_md]

That was one idea I had too tiger...depends where in the end I decide to mount it though.

[ProBell]

I run the 3 Qt system as well with a 35 psi electric valve. It will charge to the max oil presser the motor reaches and hold it until the oil presser dips bellow the 35 PSI. Then it will push oil until the two equalize. I turn mine on and off by a electric switch in the car. I turn it off on the street as well so when the car drops to a idle it does not over fill the pan. I also have a pro light in my hood so I know when it is discharging, It comes on more places than I like at the track but is saving the motor. Hope this helps Randy

[aronhk_md]

ProBell......where did you get the electric valve & switches?

Thanks

[cmraman]

Canton makes such a switch.

[aronhk_md]

Thanks cmraman. I called Moroso, and their tech told me that even at 15 psi idle the 3 qt cannister should be full and normal oil level in the pan. Not sure I believe that......

[Vegas69]

Even if there is a little extra oil in the pan at idle, that's the best time to have excess oil. Once you take off the accumulator will be full. You are over thinking this deal and that's saying alot coming from me!

[aronhk_md]

LOL.....I tend to over think things when I have the luxury to do so because I've bought stuff in the past only to find out later I should have researched better. But in this case I just went ahead and purchased a nice used Moroso 3 Qt accumulator with mounting brackets for $96 shipped. I'm happy with that deal.

Just need to decide where to put it now. Between the turbo, piping, intercooler, wastegate, trans cooler, fuel regulator, March serpentine system with A/C compressor, condenser, power steering reservoir.......I'm sitting here scratching my head.

But I'll make it fit even if I have to use my favorite tool! (hammer).

Thanks for your help guys.

[Tiger]

That was one idea I had too tiger...depends where in the end I decide to mount it though.

I'll mount it hidden in the left inner fender, waiting for the brackets and fittings as we speak.

[Vegas69]

It's tought to fit that big honker anywhere decent. I put mine on the inner fender but my car has the street fighter look so it works. I know a friend of mine is installing his in the trunk with a bulkhead. That's a long run but should be fine.

[John Wright]

Canton electric switch:(choose by pressure)

http://www.summitracing.com/search/B.../?autoview=SKU



Canton's 3qt. accumulator:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CTR-24-016/

[Bow Tie 67]

I run the 3 Qt system as well with a 35 psi electric valve. It will charge to the max oil presser the motor reaches and hold it until the oil presser dips bellow the 35 PSI. Then it will push oil until the two equalize. I turn mine on and off by a electric switch in the car. I turn it off on the street as well so when the car drops to a idle it does not over fill the pan. I also have a pro light in my hood so I know when it is discharging, It comes on more places than I like at the track but is saving the motor. Hope this helps Randy

Randy I have my cooler and accusump up and running. Why would you turn it off on the street? I dont see what the downfall would be.

[aronhk_md]

I'm going to run mine on the street. Only downfall I believe is in that initial filling stage on install when it is completely empty. After some research I am going to wait to open it until AFTER the initial start with the unit on....then I can crack it open slowly to fill. As a routine then for starting I'm going to open it and hit the starter in 3 seconds. It should pre-pressurize the bearings with oil, but not completely empty and therefore not steal oil pressure after the start.

As for mounting....I'm going to try and see if I can find a spot to frame mount it. Don't really want to have a long oil line run.....I want it close to the motor. Going to skip the pressure switch for now. Realized that oil pressure gauge was a little off and its actually idling at 19-20 psi, which is better. I'm also going to do a test once installed....going to run it with the oil pump at its full 70 psi, then shut the valve off, unhook the line and measure how much oil it ACTUALLY holds when the motor is under load and the accumulator is set at 6 psi. Just to satisfy my own insanity.....I want to verify that I'm not running an extra qt in my sump while at speed.