In the engineering world, there is a saying that oil is even more essential than fuel. It might sound strange, but it will make perfect sense once you realise that running out of fuel will not damage your engine, but losing oil pressure will probably be the end of it. That is why the oil supply is such a crucial aspect of any internal combustion unit and often the focus of interest of automotive engineers. Of course, numerous systems have been patented over the years, but two main types are in use today – dry and wet sump systems.
The function of any oil supply system is to lubricate all moving parts in the engine, including pistons, crankshaft, camshaft, turbocharger fins, and so on. The friction is kept to the minimum by lubricating those components, and so is the wear and heat buildup. By following manufacturers’ instructions and performing regular oil changes, your engine can cover high mileage and still perform like new. So it is easy to understand why the oil system is sometimes called the “bloodline” of the engine. However, different engines have different needs from an oil system, and this is where dry sumps and wet sumps come in place. Today, we will explain to you the pros and cons of both concepts and why you should switch to a PACE dry sump system, if you are serious about performance.
Wet sump systems
The wet sump is a more conventional and more common oil system that can be found on everyday cars, regardless of the price point or model year. The construction is relatively simple, and engines with wet sumps have an oil pan underneath, which acts as storage for oil. Inside the oil pan, an oil pickup pump pumps the oil into the engine the moment you turn the key, lubricating all the moving parts.
Pros
- Simple and Inexpensive: With a big oil pan located at the bottom of the engine and one oil pump, there is not much going on in a wet sump system. That makes it very simple and inexpensive, and also easy to maintain.
Cons
- Vulnerable To Damage: The first thing which gets broken or cracked when you hit a large bump or a rock is your oil pan. A cracked oil pan will lose all of its contents in a split second, resulting in seized pistons and ruined engine block. The only way to prevent fatal damage is to shut the engine off as soon as you hear that something hit your undercarriage, but unfortunately, the majority of the drivers don’t act so fast.
- Limits The Power of The Engine: In high-performance applications, such as track driving or racing, wet-sump systems are a limiting factor since they are not up to the task when the engine is required to run on high RPMs for an extended period. Also, wet-sump systems have one big flaw, and they are prone to centrifugal and gravitational forces. During high-speed cornering, oil is forced onto one side of the oil pan, which means that the oil pump cannot reach it and cannot deliver it to the pistons.
Dry sump systems
The dry sump system is a far superior solution in just about every way and far better suited for any specialty vehicle, requiring maximum performance in all conditions. That is why PACE has spent so much time and effort perfecting it and making it the ultimate way to improve your classic car, race car, as well as your drag racing motorcycle, or even off-shore performance boat.
The essence of a dry sump system is separate, external oil reservoir paired with the high-pressure oil pump, which is designed to scavenge the oil pan and force the oil into the system. Although dry sumped engines have an oil pan, it is much smaller and practically dry when the engine is in function, hence the name. Such a system is far superior in feeding the engine with oil keeping it well lubricated at all times.
Pros
- Maximising Engine Power: One of the surprising advantages of the dry sump engine is that it helps the engine produce significantly more power. Since the engine’s rotating assembly is not burdened with the weight of oil that needs to push into the system, the engine can rev more freely and have minimal loss resulting in maximum power output.
- Lower Centre of Gravity: Since the dry sump engine doesn’t have a large oil pan underneath, it can be mounted lower in the chassis, which will result in much-improved driving dynamics, sharper steering, and lower centre of gravity which is crucial for handling characteristics. The engine is effectively shorter in height which is particularly convenient for sports cars and racing cars.
- Unaffected by Centrifugal Force: High-pressure pumps which make the oil circulate through the engine cannot be affected by gravity or centrifugal force. Regardless of the travelling speed or lateral acceleration, the oil delivery will stay stable at all times.
- Can Be Fitted on Wet Sump Engines: If you are serious about enhancing your vehicle’s performance, we can help you with a bespoke dry sump system for your specific application.
- Safe: Since the oil pan is essentially dry when the engine is running, cracking it will not result in losing the oil pressure and killing your engine. As long as the engine is running, the engine will be provided with enough oil even if the oil pan is entirely missing.
Cons
- Costlier Than a Wet Sump System: Since the dry sump system is more complex and requires a high-pressure pump as well as an external oil reservoir, the whole system is somewhat more expensive. However, when you weigh up the pros and cons of both systems, for the driver that desires maximum performance output at all times, a dry sump system really is the only choice.
About the Pacepump® range
PACE Dry Sumps and Pumps are designed and manufactured by pre-eminent motorsport engineering group Neil Brown Engineering. NBE is engine partner to some of motorsports most successful racing teams, and has won multiple championships across series including BTCC, DTM, F3 and historic formulas. NBE is currently sole engine support provider for the F4 British Championship, and sole engine supplier to BTCC teams Halfords Yuasa Racing, Team BMW and Ciceley Motorsport in 2021.
The Pacepump® range is designed to meet almost any installation. From the dry sumping of pre-war classic sports cars to modern day Le-Mans cars, fast road cars to Touring cars, Formula Ford to Formula 1 – and everything in between.
