m42 sump modification

[LeonNewton]

ok so as some will know i am using an m42 in a 7 style car i am building from scratch. i need my oil sump to not be ware it is witch is a shame. the sump needs to have 25 mm taken off the bottom may get away with 15 mm but that is a compromise. i also need 40 mm of the passenger side of the sump. only below the studs holding the sump on.

can i simply (i work in an engineering firm) chop the bottom and side of and plate over the new sides? adding a new sump plug. or must i keep its volume the same? in witch case haw have people done that on this engine.

i cannot afford to go dawn the dry sump rout as i need to take some of the top of the engine to witch means converting to ITB's something i have wonted to have a go at for ages.

[LeonNewton]

are there any thoughts on sump mods?

must the capacity remain the same?

[H35-24]

I don't know if this helps, but as you can see in the link below, there are a number of different models that use the same sump to engine gasket as yours. Perhaps on of them has a more compact sump. I can see that the gasket between the upper and lower sumpparts is e30 unik, so perhaps your in luck.

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/11131739592/

I suppose your biggest problem with reducing the sump is that reduces the amount of oil in the engine, possible ending in oil-starvation or overheating, or if you fill the required amount of oil into the engine the oil might hit the moving parts, which every expert says is very bad.

[LeonNewton]

i was hopping that baffles will stop starvation and if the oil hight in wot is left of the pan is the same splash on to the crank should also be the same.

[DHFiS]

I would try to keep the capacity the same. If you cut away in some areas can you increase somewhere else?

Dont forget to allow for the pick up and dip stick.

[LeonNewton]

yer i can add a box to the opposite side of the oil pan. i think it is called a wing in motersport.

[Daf318is]

GKD sportscars do a 7 style car using the BMW powerplants, it might be worth having a nosey through their parts section to see if they do a modified sump or see how they have got arround the issue.

p.s. hows the finger after you tried to cut it off?

[LeonNewton]

GKD and i have spent a wile chatting on the phone. thaye have a lower sump witch i may get but i have to talk him dawn on the price. still wont solve the whole problem as the side of the sump binds on the schassis. still looks like a custom job or a wee bit of a chop and brace on the schassis but a friend with solidworks is running some models for me before the end of the year to see if the schassis will show any kind of un even distortion with the expected forces i can put threw the schassis whilst driving. i understand the physics just not the electronics of wot he is doing.

the finger is all back to normal thanks. just a wee white line to remind me of just haw efficient grinding disks are.

you thought anymore about doing a kit or special? heard a lot of good stuff about the GKD cars and they are good chaps. BMW doners are the way forward naw for dont do a RWD car so expect GKD to grow over the forth coming years.

there is also a new company saturn in the north east who do the haynes roadster as a turnkey and soon enough the haynes single seater (SVA'ed) we keep chating about doing a BMW haynes roadster but nothing has come of it yet. wee will see haw mine goes i gess. thay will get the SS up and running but maby in the future there will be a book telling you all we have worked out.

until then. Haw do i get this dam motor in????? whilst keeping my role center up and center of gravity dawn. the easy fix is lift the sump above the rail of corse.

[Daf318is]

I'm doing a bit more than thinking about a kit! I got myself a project too........

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

Does the GKD sump have a smaller capacity? If it does then you know that there is no problem modifying yours to fit.

[LeonNewton]

i dont remember all the details on there sump. i am going to call pete again in the new year.i can remember i cannot afford it.
been looking at the sump used on the e36 318is. looks allot easier to take hight out of and is thinner. could be the winning solution if i can work out haw the oil pick up works.

project look ace. wimp. (sorry i will stop that NOW)

[Daf318is]

i dont remember all the details on there sump. i am going to call pete again in the new year.i can remember i cannot afford it.
been looking at the sump used on the e36 318is. looks allot easier to take hight out of and is thinner. could be the winning solution if i can work out haw the oil pick up works.

project look ace. wimp. (sorry i will stop that NOW)

I did build a spaceframe when I was in uni as I had acess to the equipment but right now it's just not practical for me to make a spaceframe with my hobby mig and single garage! TBH it's worked out a lot cheaper this way anyway!

Regarding your sump you could just make a smaller one and as the M42 engines are so cheap - if it explodes it wouldn't really matter and you'd know the sump was too small very helpful suggestion!!!

[LeonNewton]

i was only playing man. there are 101 reasons not to start from scratch.

i suppose you are right but i also think that an e36 sump will also work with no real risk.

have a good evening