FE oil pan

[Excaliber]

The primary reason for a windage tray is to keep oil from contacting the rotating crankshaft assembly, or limit that contact, would be more correct. Thus reducing 'oil drag loses' on the crank and increasing horse power as a result. SOME say this reduction in 'splash back' and the loss of 'flinging oil' all over contributes to some loss of lubrication to the upper parts of the engine. Camshaft/lifters come to mind, and we hear plenty about people loosing camshafts these days! Not to mention the bore and pistons (cooling for the piston). Is there a connection here? At any rate, one could conclude that more oil is held within the sump due to a windage tray, thus improving oil pressure. I just have a gut feeling the loss of oil pressure in cornering has more to do with the sump/pump/baffles than it does the windage tray itself, which I suspect plays a minor roll. But I could be wrong.

I don't recall a specific thread or discussion (anywhere) that deals with the question of a windage tray increasing or decreasing oil pressure during cornering. It's always about 'horse power gains' or 'lack of lubrication' issues. Hmmmm...

Also WHAT kind of corner are we talking about? Short left/right like you would encounter when 'cone' racing? Or long sweepers where the G forces are maintained for some length of time? How much G force? The new Vettes went with a dry sump SPECIFICALLY to counteract the high G forces the car can generate during extended cornering times. No matter what kind of baffles/sump/pump/tray you got, the oil will run away from the pickup given enough G force and time.

At what rpm does a windage even offer ANY substantial horse power gains? 5000 rpm and above? Are you turning 5000 rpm in the corner? What kind of horse power gains are we talking about? 10? 15? Enough increased horse power to justify the expense and possible loss of lubrication/cooling? Just a thought.

By the way, according to the Aviad web site they note that the oil pan capacity listed INCLUDES the filter. The 427 Cobra original style oil pan (like the one I have) holds 9 qts, one qt in the filter, 8 in the pan. My guess is that Armondo says 10 because, 1 in the filter, 1 in the cooler, 8 in the pan. How you gonna measure that exactly will be a challenge.