Current thinking on oil baffles/pickups?

[James Russels]

I'll be installing a new oil pan in a couple weeks, and would like to get any other recommended supporting mods out of the way while I have the oil pan off. I am finding conflicting information as to whether an oil baffle is recommended. Post #19 in this thread suggests it isn't needed, while comments here and post #5 here say it is.

Furthermore, I learned about the Killer B oil pickup but there is even less information on this. Can anyone weigh in on whether this provides any real benefit?

I'm trying to keep this simple so I'm not looking at Accusump/dry sump.

Thanks in advance.

[Westen86]

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134863

[ls1ac]

Remember there are at least two main reasons for oil starvation at the bearing level. The most obvious is lack of oil at the pickup, not very comin with these engines. The next is a restriction in the oil delivery system, a galley to small to get the oil to the bearing. A less common one is using the wrong weight oil for the system as operated. Too thin and will escape and not hold pressure, too thick and will not make it to the bearings in sufficient quantity.


How worried are you? Have you seen a drop in pressure? The fixes you mentioned will take care of that.
Have you rebuilt the engine to some different tolerances?
Finally what kind of driving are you using the car for?

[Westen86]

Ive read all your quoted posts. The biggest word that sticks out to me is RACECAR.
If your car only does daily duty I would recommend the Killer Bee Oil Pickup. You have the pan off, its a good simple upgrade. It comes with a new Gasket.

If you are going to be hard on it or track/autox it frequently an Oil Baffle sounds like a good Idea. Blue Moon and Moroso look like fine candidates.

Depending on how deep your pocket is you can also look into a Reimax Oil Pump. That is if you track the car.
Hope that helps. This is all opinion, but Ive been doing a lot of the reading you have on Oil Issues. Mine has 50,000+ miles and Ill be going down the same route.

[James Russels]

Originally Posted by Westen86

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134863

This is super helpful, thank you. The only thing I am wondering is why the OEM pickup wasn't designed this way from the beginning. It seems like it would be more work to make a bend in the tube rather than to have it straight. Is there any reason for the bend? Also, is there any possibility of the increased diameter causing issues?

Originally Posted by ls1ac

How worried are you? Have you seen a drop in pressure?

No, I haven't seen anything that worries me, I just want to do as much as reasonably necessary while I have the oil pan off for convenience and peace of mind.

Originally Posted by ls1ac

Have you rebuilt the engine to some different tolerances?

No, engine is completely stock at the moment. Eventually will upgrade the rods and whatever else is recommended for more power if I decide to go that route.

Finally what kind of driving are you using the car for?

I will be tracking the car.

[Decimus]

I run the Bluemoon Baffle since i track it occasionally. Better safe than sorry

[Westen86]

Originally Posted by James Russels

This is super helpful, thank you. The only thing I am wondering is why the OEM pickup wasn't designed this way from the beginning. It seems like it would be more work to make a bend in the tube rather than to have it straight. Is there any reason for the bend? Also, is there any possibility of the increased diameter causing issues?

Im not sure about the original design. But a bigger and straight tube would make the flow slower and at a lower pressure. Less vacuum means less cavitation.