Windage Tray?

[WilliamCapri]

So, I’ve been sitting here recovering from a broken ankle, watching reruns of whatever. There is an episode of Engine Masters where they swap the standard oil pan out for a pan with a windage tray, then another episode where they put on a wide body oil pan. Engine is put on a dyno and compared. Horsepower and torque are improved at all rpm by a surprising amount. 22 hp and 11 ft-lb gain going to the wide body. this is on a big block Chevy that can rev to 8k rpm. Just wondering if anyone is running a windage tray and are you seeing any benefit? Canton and Milodon are a couple of manufacturers, and for the money, it is a low cost way to pick up some power. I hope this isn’t too big a can of worms. Or maybe I do!

[emerygt350]

I saw that as well... If had a chance to do it over, I would definitely definitely add that to my rebuild.

[Broncojunkie]

I watched it. Very interesting episode, as always. Didn't he mentioned that oil pan was $650?

[WilliamCapri]

I watched it. Very interesting episode, as always. Didn't he mentioned that oil pan was $650?

Yes I think so. But that was a 2 part pan with the windage tray built in. Over the stock pan, I think they were able to add over 30 hp to the dyno. Sounds like a no-brainer if you are building a serious racing engine. LMR shows a windage tray kit for $130. No idea what the hp improvement would be, but, a 15 hp improvement would be a nice help. Better to put it to the rear wheels instead of churning and heating the oil.

[Broncojunkie]

Yes I think so. But that was a 2 part pan with the windage tray built in. Over the stock pan, I think they were able to add over 30 hp to the dyno. Sounds like a no-brainer if you are building a serious racing engine. LMR shows a windage tray kit for $130. No idea what the hp improvement would be, but, a 15 hp improvement would be a nice help. Better to put it to the rear wheels instead of churning and heating the oil.

It was also interesting to see how too much oil was robbing hp. I watch very little tv these days, but this is one of only a few gems. Roadkill garage, Hot Rod Garage, Flipping Bangers, old episodes of Wheeler Dealers (with Edd China) being a few others.

[qtrracer]

I put a Milodon "road-race" kick-out pan on my 8.2 deck stroker. Holds 7 quarts before the filter, has baffles and trap doors to keep the oil around the pick-up. Is only 7" deep so lots of ground clearance. Seems to work great but there is no way to measure what if any improvement had I done a stock pan instead. I think I would do a kick-out pan again but not sure if a windage tray is necessary for primarily a street car that sees some autocross and open track. I wanted the extra oil and confidence that the pick-up was swimming in oil during hard corners. Not looking for the last .5 HP/TQ which is where windage is an issue.

[mustangwolf]

I put a Milodon "road-race" kick-out pan on my 8.2 deck stroker. Holds 7 quarts before the filter, has baffles and trap doors to keep the oil around the pick-up. Is only 7" deep so lots of ground clearance. Seems to work great but there is no way to measure what if any improvement had I done a stock pan instead. I think I would do a kick-out pan again but not sure if a windage tray is necessary for primarily a street car that sees some autocross and open track. I wanted the extra oil and confidence that the pick-up was swimming in oil during hard corners. Not looking for the last .5 HP/TQ which is where windage is an issue.

Did you have any trouble with the Milodan Road Race pan kickout hitting the rear of the K member on the passenger side? I am having an issue with that in my 83 GT. Building a 347; right now I have a mock up block in with the Milodon pan attached. The K member, which is thinker on the passenger side, and the steering rack bolt head (M16 with integral washer) is hitting the oil pan. I can cut away the k member and plate it but the rack bolt is more problematic.

[qtrracer]

No, but I'm running an MM K-member on my 86. Also have a 347.

[BMW Rider]

I put a Milodon "road-race" kick-out pan on my 8.2 deck stroker. Holds 7 quarts before the filter, has baffles and trap doors to keep the oil around the pick-up. Is only 7" deep so lots of ground clearance. Seems to work great but there is no way to measure what if any improvement had I done a stock pan instead. I think I would do a kick-out pan again but not sure if a windage tray is necessary for primarily a street car that sees some autocross and open track. I wanted the extra oil and confidence that the pick-up was swimming in oil during hard corners. Not looking for the last .5 HP/TQ which is where windage is an issue.

I'm running a similar Moroso pan with the MM K-member. I did need to trim the ends of the rack bolts off to clear, but that was it. It does make the starter a challenge to get to though.