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by Santaanacanyon on April 13th, 2006

Santaanacanyon

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What is a "dry sump" oil system?

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  • by Daniel on April 16th, 2006

    Daniel

    Normal 'wet sump' lubrication systems rely on a large 'bowl' reservoir in the sump underneath the engine to catch and store the engine oil which isn't currently flowing throught the pump or oil channels. The oil pump picks up oil from this pool as it is needed. However. If significant, prolonged G-forces are generated by the vehicle (such as in fast cornering, accelerating or braking in the case of a racing car) the oil can surge to a part of the sump where the pump is unable to retrieve oil from. This causes oil starvation to the engine and, in worst cases, siezing of important, expensive bits.
    A dry sump system employs a lower profile sump and a remote pump (often driven by a belt externally) which can scavenge oil regardless of its location in the sump. The oil never remains in the sump for long as it is stored in a seperate reservoir which can provide oil continuously even during enthusiastic manouvers.
    An added bonus of a dry sump is that, given the engines overall lower height, the engine can be mounted lower in the chassis lowering the centre of gravity of the vehicle... and thats good.
    Finally. The reservoir bulge on a 'wet sump' can protrude and is vulnerable to damage by large objects passing under the vehicle. The relative flatness of a dry sump makes it particularly applicable to vehicles travelling over rough surfaces such as rally cars.

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