Oil System Question.
 

Is an oil catch can a viable alternative to a baffled oil pan?

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I can buy a baffled Moroso oil pan for around $475, or have baffles welded into my stock oil pan. I was thinking perhaps an oil catch can instead, but perhaps i'm misunderstanding the cans utility(?)

No, two different things.

Baffled oil pan replaces the stock oil pan and has walls inside to try and help keep a reserve of oil near the pickup tube when cornering hard.

Oil Catch can is an external container that ties into the intake/EGR system to capture oil vapors/liquid. The Crawford Air/Oil separator would be better than a catch can though IMO...

Oh i see. My focus is for the cornering thing. So then the question falls to this: should i dole out $475 for the Moroso or have a shop weld in baffles in my stock pan?

Correction: An oil catch can ties into the PCV between the line that vents the PCV to the middle of the intake manifold. It collects a mixture of oil, water and fuel in the blowby from the crankcase. Apparently it helps keep FA engines cleaner by not burning this stuff. I have a Cusco installed on my NA car just because it is a nice piece in the engine bay. Doubtful it will collect much but I might eventually put steel wool or screening inside as a baffle.

Far too often people state misinformation as fact here. It makes it harder for us noobs to get our facts straight.

I have no real experience with either - have never had any issues on track with the stock pans, but if the fabricator/shop has a lot of experience with road race/time trial cars I would have no issues going the direction of modding the stock pan.

For the record, the shop in question is one i feel confident in. They host events at Brainerd International Raceway and have participated in races there. MAP Performance. It seems as though they know their stuff.

I'm no expert, but i can't see welding in baffles in a stock pan going badly-- not unless it causes the oil to plug itself up or something. (If welded in wrong)

You only really need to worry about baffled oil pans and such if you're experiencing oil starvation issues. Which is not at all related to what catch cans are supposed to do.

I haven't heard of anybody at all on this forum mention oil starvation as an issue yet.

Suggest asking a pro before spending your $$$.

Generally the Subaru pans are baffled to begin with, I would guess the BRZ/FR-S is the same.

There are some vendors who make better baffles for the oil pan and Moroso makes a large capacity oil pan for the Subaru EJ20/EJ257, I wasn't aware they had made one for the FA20.

I haven't heard of issues either. Who's got a gauge and actually paid attention?

Some Subaru people use oil accumulators as an alternative, but I don't know that there's an actual problem.