Preventing oil starvation is important because several (atleast 5) people have blown their motor as a result of the oil sloshing around the oil pan mid turn and eventually the oil pickup recieves air instead of oil and the motor goes boom. I am not an expert but through my research here is what I've learned so I'm posting it one place for others to get ideas. In my view, this is important to do only if you auto-x or go on a track, as all of the times V6s have starved of oil have been in high G force turns on a track. Personally, I've run a whole season of auto-x without having a problem but better safe than sorry.
Possible Solutions:
1.) Accusump
Benefits:
MR2hybrid's accusump setup:
http://www.mr2oc.com/showpost.php?p=3403443&postcount=10
Details about accusump:
http://www.accusump.com/accusump_tech.html#whatis
Cost: ~$700-800
2.) Modified Oil Pickup (lower in the oilpan)
Lower the oil pickup location down to .25" to .375" above the pan's bottom surface, also moving it from the shallow point of the pan into the deeper portion would be beneficial. Here is what MRdosedriver717 did on his 1mz:
Stock 1mz:
Modified as I described above:
Notice how the the location of the pickup moved and how it is made longer
Now the reason I think Toyota didn't make this stock is that with a lower pickup point, you are in more danger if your oil pan gets dented and it can block or damage the oil pickup.
The original thread:
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=225997
Cost: Need a welder, very few materials, pretty cheap.
3.) Baffling
Baffling acts a barrier to slow down oil from sloshing around the pan so much. JimKing's modded his oil pan with baffles. (The green cap represents where the oil pickup line is).
Original Thread:
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=359127
Cost: Need a welder, thin steel sheet, some flaps, pretty cheap
4.) Oil Pressure Gauge
There are lots of topics about oil pressure gauges, an important thing is to have a warning of some kind whether it be a beep or a light would be beneficial, as very few ppl can look at their oil pressure mid turn. One problem is that by the time your oil pressure reaches the critical level it is probably to late to save your engine.
5.) Overfilling
Even if you have all of the above to prevent oil starvation, if your going to the track or auto-x I would overfill by about 1/2 a quart, just to be extra safe. Everyone should be following this. I believe the 3vz takes 4 quarts normally, so 4.5 would be ideal at the track. Also constantly checking your oil level before you race (while the car is cold) and after/in-between.
I hope this information helps people prevent oil starvation and saves motors, the time/money to make a DIY Baffle/relocated oil pickup is very little compared to having to drop your motor and rebuild/replace it. If you have suggestions/corrections/ideas, please post them.
Possible Solutions:
1.) Accusump
Benefits:
Personally, this option was a little high on the cost end for me and you'd have to mount the tank somewhere, MR2hybrid put his behind the passenger seat and drilled a hole through his firewall for it to reach the oil pan.Alex W said:
MR2hybrid's accusump setup:
http://www.mr2oc.com/showpost.php?p=3403443&postcount=10
Details about accusump:
http://www.accusump.com/accusump_tech.html#whatis
Cost: ~$700-800
2.) Modified Oil Pickup (lower in the oilpan)
Lower the oil pickup location down to .25" to .375" above the pan's bottom surface, also moving it from the shallow point of the pan into the deeper portion would be beneficial. Here is what MRdosedriver717 did on his 1mz:
Stock 1mz:
Modified as I described above:
Notice how the the location of the pickup moved and how it is made longer
Now the reason I think Toyota didn't make this stock is that with a lower pickup point, you are in more danger if your oil pan gets dented and it can block or damage the oil pickup.
The original thread:
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=225997
Cost: Need a welder, very few materials, pretty cheap.
3.) Baffling
Baffling acts a barrier to slow down oil from sloshing around the pan so much. JimKing's modded his oil pan with baffles. (The green cap represents where the oil pickup line is).
JimKing's 1mz oil pan baffles:JimKing said:
Original Thread:
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=359127
Cost: Need a welder, thin steel sheet, some flaps, pretty cheap
4.) Oil Pressure Gauge
There are lots of topics about oil pressure gauges, an important thing is to have a warning of some kind whether it be a beep or a light would be beneficial, as very few ppl can look at their oil pressure mid turn. One problem is that by the time your oil pressure reaches the critical level it is probably to late to save your engine.
5.) Overfilling
Even if you have all of the above to prevent oil starvation, if your going to the track or auto-x I would overfill by about 1/2 a quart, just to be extra safe. Everyone should be following this. I believe the 3vz takes 4 quarts normally, so 4.5 would be ideal at the track. Also constantly checking your oil level before you race (while the car is cold) and after/in-between.
I hope this information helps people prevent oil starvation and saves motors, the time/money to make a DIY Baffle/relocated oil pickup is very little compared to having to drop your motor and rebuild/replace it. If you have suggestions/corrections/ideas, please post them.