Pros/Cons E34 M50 Pan vs Arc Asylum Oil Pan and Subframe

[synergy141]

Hi,

I'm currently figuring out my parts list for my E30 M3 S54 Swap.

I'm trying to decide on which oil pan to go with.

What are the benefits of the Arc Asylum Oil pan and modified subframe vs the standard E34 M50 oil pan and stock subframe.

I see the most recent swaps are all using the Arc Asylum pan and subframe.

My car will rarely see any track time so I'm thinking the M50 pan with the proper baffle will work just fine in my case.

[BMWfanz]

Better to ask someone who use E30 like a track tool) I've installed VAC baffles in e34 pan, slightly modified oil drain from oil separator and oil drain from valve cover. Someone told that E34 pan is better and don't affairs of oil starvations, because most of all engine suffers from oil starvation on hardly braking. I dunno bacause i'm using car for daily drive and cannot identify which is better)

[synergy141]

This car will just be used as my weekend back road ripper lol.

[Staszek]

I would love to know as well since I am deciding between these two.

[kronus]

it's about an inch further from the ground and also behind the subframe, which makes a lot of difference if you're low and on shitty roads.

also if you got your motor from an e36 you don't need to find another pan and dipstick.

[R3Z3N]

Pros of E34 Pan compared to ArcAsylum modified S54 pan and subframe
Cheaper

Cons:
Need to modify S54 dual pickup to single pickup
Less ground clearance
Possible oil starvation issues compared to dual pickup.

Con of the Arc Subframe:
Sway bar mounts are further from subframe, possibly resulting in stress. Tyler is modifying mine for more strength as I am using 22mm sways, and may build a bearing mounted in-car adjustable sway bar setup that will be much stiffer. Not much of a con to be honest as it can be built stronger.

That is the simple of it. I had an S52 with E34 pan and vac oil baffle, and I still had constant oil problems with the lifters. My car wasn't all too low, and it was still a worry, I shaved a couple unpainted speed-bumps that I didn't see.

With just this info, I have decided to utilize the ArcAsylum pan.

[superleggeram3]

I modifyed the engine hulkhead slightly which allowed me to push the engine back a little more. I then ran the sway bar around the front which allowed me to use the stock s54 pan and pick up. You do need a custom or adjustable length gear linkage (CAE do one) and need a custom length prop to do this (cheap to do anyway).

[BMWfanz]

For info- I've used S50B30 euro oil pump with e34 pan, so- VAC baffles are really shitty, quality sucks, modified it 3 times to install properly, and for me they don't even cost a half of VAC price

[hoveringuy]

Tyler did my M54 pan and here's how it looks with the pump, pickup and baffle.

Workmanship is excellent and I'm excited to remove the low-hanging e34 pan!

[Northern]

Con of the Arc Subframe:
Sway bar mounts are further from subframe, possibly resulting in stress. Tyler is modifying mine for more strength as I am using 22mm sways, and may build a bearing mounted in-car adjustable sway bar setup that will be much stiffer. Not much of a con to be honest as it can be built stronger.
.

Running a 25mm sway with mine since this spring, no issues encountered yet, but I do know what you mean. The shop that did my "safety" inspection were worried about the same thing. I think welding an angle at 90 degrees along the length of the swaybar mount tab would be more than enough to reinforce it.