Sump Clearence

[Davidbolam]

I am at the stage whe I am going to install my engine and fabricate the engine mounts. I am using a 1.6 MX5 engine and want to keep this as low as possible without having to modify the sump.

My question is what how far under the lower chassis rails should the sump sit?

If I do go down the route of modifying the sump. How much is safe to remove before there won't be enough oil in the engine?

[brainbug007]

Personally I wouldn't have the sump below the bottom rails at all as there's too much risk of catching it something while driving.

[skov]

I've gone for 40mm below the chassis rails, as per Spud's advice.
I am terrified about grinding the sump off, but if you position the engine any higher you'll struggle to get it under the bonnet!

I don't know if he's tried it or not yet, but Johno has done a load of research on chopping the MX5 sump and was planning to give it a go.

[Davidbolam]

cheers. I wonder if he fancies welding mine! I don't

[stew]

i was gonna go for 40mm as well, but will be chopping my ali sump. or thats the plan anyway!

[alga]

According to this thread on pistonheads, on some Caterhams and Westfields the sump is hanging ~6 cm below the chassis. So I guess the book recommended 25 mm for the Ford engine/box or 40 mm for MX-5 components are not too bad, really.

[Johno]

Hiya,
As Skov has said 40mm below chassis rail, any higher and you will have problems with the air inlet manifold fouling the bonnet...
I haven't chopped my sump yet but you can take about 30mm off and loose about 1/2 litre of oil approx.
Still in two minds about doing it but I change my mind everyday...LOL
I'm going to change the sump gasket this weekend (along with the rest of the other parts I have stripped off the engine) so if I'm going to do it I will post the photos Sunday evening.
Sorry but been reluctant to post progress of my build just recently as I started WW3 with just asking Nathan about posting piccy's of his MX5 build (just got out of hand).

Johno

[flyerncle]

Wings could be added to the sides of the sump,group 4 escorts had big wing sumps to add capacity.

[robo]

Wings are the way to go for capacity but the skidplate thing is a bit of a must really. I have seen an engine trashed over a wack in the sump. not because of a leak but from the sump closing the gap between the pickup filter. It was letting enough oil through to put out the light but at high rpm starved the ends.Game over. You could always add two pieces of box to the underside rails each side of the engine then bolt up a plate to that angled up at the front to form a proper skid plate. Easy to remove/replace. Just thoughts.

Bob

[rdodger]

http://westfieldmx5.devocht.com/pictures/the-oil-pan/

I will be modding mine as per the link. It will leave the sump at the same level as the bell housing. The bell housing will sit approx 10mm below the bottom chassis rail.

As I will be fitting an oil cooler I am not worried about the 1/2 litre or so capacity I will lose. If you are you could fit a larger oil filter?