Stock vs Oversized Oil Pans
 

What are the true advantages to an oversized oil pan. Most engine building books say they aren't anymore effective than a stock oil pan. If you have an adequate oil level, what does it matter if you have an extra 3-4 quarts?

Thanks In Advance,

Kirk

One of the biggest advantages with a 10 or more qt. pan is to run 2 qts. less oil than what the pan will hold to keep the oil further away from the crank. ( less windage = more HP)

First, an oversize pan allows a larger volume of oil available to the engine. In some instances oil gets trapped up on top of the heads and in the lifter valley reducing oil level possibly allowing the pump to suck air. Especially if you have a high volume pump.

Second, if you run a deep sump pan it will keep the oil away from the crankshaft and prevent oil airation.
A good windage try will help with that too.

Third, on a street engine the extra volume gives the oil a chance to cool a bit before being pumped through again. Don't know if that's a benefit on a marine engine since most have an oil cooler.

Fourth, if the pan is properly baffeled it will prevent the oil from sloshing around and the exposing the pickup.
Very bad, causes an instantaneous loss of pressure.
Been there, done that. Spun two rods and a main.

I, myself would prefer to run a larger pan. Would like to have the extra volume. It would have to be properly baffeled though and designed for marine use.

One other thing, with an extra 3-4 quarts you'll have more oil to toss around the engine compartment if it does let go.;)

Dis-Advantage
 

Ask yourself this? Do you want to spend all that extra money on an oil change everytime? What are the real benefits???

Yes keeping the oil away from the crank is a plus, but not when you are just adding a deeper pan with more oil.

One of the dis-advantages is that the oil will never warm up and burn off the condensation/water in the oil. I think maybe if you were running a race boat, it would be an advantage. But at 650hp, I wouldn't worry about it.

Race Boat Criteria?
 

Panther -

What are you saying, my boat doesn't qualify as a race boat? 650HP, 90+ MPH, me at the throttles, my wife (in a thong) screaming for me to slow down and pay attention!!!

Now that's racing!!!!!

Just kidding, thanks for the information, your wisdom is appreciated and I am of the same opinoin that you are.

Kirk

Unclear on what "in a thong" means. Please post pictures.:D

When I first put together my 540, my cylinder head guy insisted on a huge pan. He worked at a company called Katech for years and claims they saw up to 30hp in a good pan.
So I had Dan Olson do a HUGE pan, I think there is only about an 1 1/2 clearance to the bottom of the boat. It has baffels, windage tray and a crank scrapper. The intention was to have the oil as far away from the crank as possible. I only run 11 quarts in it. Whether it helped or not I don't know but it sure looks cool !

And we all know that a cool looking motor is a faster motor!!! I'll bet that pan adds 3-4 mph to your boat without even starting it Chuck!!

I run an 8 qt. pan.....only put 7 qts in it though (and I fill the filter prior to installing, so call it 7.5 or 8 qt. changes). And even my 425 hp motor will run the oil at 210 or so at cruise speeds. So Panther, I'm not sure what you are saying about the oil never heating up. At WFO (Wide Faulking Open for you non-racers like myself:) ) I see 235-240. Perfect temps. Prior to going to the larger pan, and with about 25-30 less hp, I saw temps about 10* higher at all levels.


Mike

I really like the 8 Qt stock pan with factory windage tray. For the money it is hard to beat with a oil cooler sized to HP you are running. Just my .02. Custom pans do look cool but you can't even see mine unless it is on the engine stand. :D