General Motors V8 Discussion Discussion relating to getting the most out of your LSx or other GM-based V8 Miata's engine

LS1 V8 Miata oil pans - the good the bad and the ugly

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Old 12-01-2014 | 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by 523-LSX-NB
Am confused about what is discussed here. It is not difficult to build a K-frame that allows the use of a stock F-body pan...& without any firewall mods.
SAY WHAT?? That I would REALLY like to see! Can you show us how you went about that?
Old 12-01-2014 | 05:48 PM
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Me too. And without moving the steering rack from the stock position.

Mike
Old 12-01-2014 | 07:08 PM
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Well, in a way he is right. The BF subframe does allow the F body pan and no TRANS TUNNEL mods, the firewall wings still need to be trimmed. Other than a little dimpling to be sure there would be no knocking from the bell housing bolts the firewall is untouched. Could you duplicate the BF design? Sure. Myself, I would rather buy one of theirs as my welding isn't up to structural standards.
Old 12-01-2014 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by charchri4
SAY WHAT?? That I would REALLY like to see! Can you show us how you went about that?

Finished my build in 03 before swap kits. I laid out & built a K-frame that
used a stock F-body pan. Don't know how any swap kit K-frame is laid out other than to find in this thread that they require oil pan & firewall mods. So, am not sure how to answer.
Old 12-01-2014 | 10:05 PM
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Congrats... any pics of the build so the rest of us can pick up some pointers?
Old 12-02-2014 | 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by cvx_20
Me too. And without moving the steering rack from the stock position.

Mike

Let's find out. The center of my steering rack is 3/8" above the center of the lower control arm pivot & 4" forward (toward radiator) of the outer face of the forward lower control arm pivot hub. What are these dimensions on a stock NB K-frame?
Old 12-03-2014 | 12:54 PM
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Looked @ the pics posted earlier in this thread & it looks like the related dimensions of the K-frame in those pics is approx 3/8" above center (same as mine) & approx 2.5"-2.75" (1.25"-1.5") less than mine. Close enough to be considered similar steering rack location (mine appears to position the engine further back, toward firewall). So, if this represents the stock NB location, can say that mine is designed w/ no fire wall mods & stock location. There are other dimensions that would confirm this. Have a$$umed that each design positions the wheel/tire relatively centrally in the wheel well.


These are the pics referenced.
Attached Thumbnails LS1 V8 Miata oil pans - the good the bad and the ugly-img_7354.jpg   LS1 V8 Miata oil pans - the good the bad and the ugly-img_7340.jpg  
Old 12-06-2014 | 03:26 AM
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Did anyone actually try the kevko pan over the V8R pan? They have an option on all there pans to do various degree fittings, including straight forward (option #10). I am going to give this a try, and the guy is pretty close to me as well, which is nice. Should be interesting to find out.

Cheers
Nick
Old 02-13-2015 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by V8droptop
Did anyone actually try the kevko pan over the V8R pan? They have an option on all there pans to do various degree fittings, including straight forward (option #10). I am going to give this a try, and the guy is pretty close to me as well, which is nice. Should be interesting to find out.

Cheers
Nick
Also curious if anyone has updates. I'm thinking about going to Kevko for a custom pan.
Old 03-11-2015 | 09:06 AM
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Default Holley 302-2 LS Conversion pan

I noticed that some have said that the Holley pan will not work, and I am assuming that the pan tested at FM was the 302-1 which is over 2" deep at the front. How about the 302-2? The dimensions at the front of the pan seem to allow clearance, not sure about the depth near the second bolt hole. That might be the killer. Any opinions?

Attached Thumbnails LS1 V8 Miata oil pans - the good the bad and the ugly-302-2dims%5B583x583%5D.jpg  

Last edited by crispy; 03-11-2015 at 10:23 AM.
Old 03-11-2015 | 11:26 AM
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Great find Chris! That pan did not exist when I did my search and started this thread in 2013. It looks like it hit the market in early 2014 with the goal of more clearance. Anyone have any input?
Old 06-14-2015 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by cvx_20
Here's a thought: Move the motor back enough so you can use the stock F-body pan. Obviously this requires mods to the firewall, but you already have to modify the firewall/tunnel. This also gives more clearance at the front for the sway bar and the fans, and slightly more clearance at the steering shaft for headers. And improved weight distribution.

If you already have the V8R subframe, I think you could accomplish the move with different motor mount plates. And bodywork skills.

Mike
I made my own subframe, moved the motor back as far as possible and used my stock z28 oil pan. I had to move the steering rack forward a little bit for it to work. I also moved the sway bar. Mine is an automatic and the car seems to handle just fine. While I was moving the steering rack, I moved it to the drivers side about a half inch so the steering shaft would clear the shorty headers. That required me to shorten the drivers side tie rod end and lengthen the passenger side one to get back equal turning on each side.
Attached Thumbnails LS1 V8 Miata oil pans - the good the bad and the ugly-oil-pan.jpg  
Old 06-17-2015 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ToySnakePMC
My V8R aluminum pan that's just recently arrived.

Disclosure: I don't know anything about the LS oil pans except they sure seem expensive.

I've attached a picture of an ad I received via email from Speedmaster that shows a special on a fabricated LS oil pan for $180. It looks like it is aluminum, looks pretty shallow on the forward end, and bears quite a bit of resemblance to those fancy, high dollar specialty pans. Makes me wonder if it could be modified to create an economical alternative?

Website for this place is Speedmaster and phone is 909-605-1123. No affiliation with these folks; I've just bought a couple items from them in the past so I get their emails.
Attached Thumbnails LS1 V8 Miata oil pans - the good the bad and the ugly-speedmaster-pan.png  
Old 06-18-2015 | 08:50 AM
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If that works, it would be a lot easier than moving the rack and the stabilizer bar. Let us know if it fits. I will probably be doing a build with my son in the future. It would be worth $180.
Old 06-18-2015 | 09:30 AM
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Wow lots of options there and by far the best deal on a pan I have seen.

http://store.speedmaster79.com/c-193...rm=LS1 oil pan
Old 06-18-2015 | 02:11 PM
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I called Speedmaster to get some more information about this pan. I asked who actually builds the pan. The response was that they do, so I asked for more pictures of the baffles and dimensions of the front portion of the pan. The rep was kind, but said that there was no additional information available and he did not offer to send any additional pics. Huh.

No provisions for a dipstick? What's up with that?

I guess we won't know if this is an option until someone tries it. I may just order one up to check it out since my motor is on a stand. I could probably craigslist it if it doesn't fit right.
Old 06-18-2015 | 03:37 PM
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Chris as I recall the dipstick is not impacted by the pan at all.

Pretty weird that they don't have any measurements on them especially if they are really making the pan. Surely there is some engineering drawings or info somewhere on them. Did you ask what their return policy is on them?
Old 06-18-2015 | 04:05 PM
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Crap. I am elbows deep in a German engine right now. I guess the kraut got to me.

I thought the lack of info was strange also. I didn't ask about a return policy, but I will verify when I place the order.
Old 06-26-2015 | 03:50 PM
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After seeing Shandelle's post on Miata.net, I ordered a Holley 302-2. I will post fitment pics next week hopefully.
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Old 07-06-2015 | 02:15 PM
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How about them pics crispy? I am at the point where I need to order a pan in the next week or so.
Old 07-06-2015 | 03:16 PM
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Z-

I replied to your PM. The pan made it from my doorstep to the garage and then I left town for a week. It is still in it's box. I will update soon hopefully.
Old 07-07-2015 | 09:52 AM
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The speedmaster pans look very similar to moroso 20140 pans, which I am unsure why no one has tried either.

Moroso 20140, Moroso Street/Strip Oil Pans | Moroso


Attached Thumbnails LS1 V8 Miata oil pans - the good the bad and the ugly-710-20140.jpg   LS1 V8 Miata oil pans - the good the bad and the ugly-710-20140_3.jpg  
Old 07-07-2015 | 12:33 PM
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With that Moroso pan installed you could knock 0.2 second off your bragging claims for 1/4 mile performance!

All kidding aside, everything I have ever purchased from Moroso has been really nice quality.
Old 07-07-2015 | 01:39 PM
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I called speedmaster today, and the guy I talked to is going to have a pan pulled from stock and give me a call back, and him and I will go over the dimensions, so with any luck I can give you guys the dimensions of their pans by the end of the day.
Old 07-07-2015 | 02:00 PM
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The thin section of the pan is 1.75" from the back of the flange to the bottom of the pan, and 11" long.

Can anyone verify if this will work?

It basically has the same dimensions as the autokraft pan. Based on the pictures ive seen on the VR8 pan, it should work.

I'm going to go ahead and place an order.


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