N52 oil pan design for Z4 engine arm based swap

[Striker01]

Last post about this pan, I promise.

I don't like all the scratches that ended up in the aluminum from assembly but I like the raw aluminum look. I condition wheeled most of the scratches out and then media blasted mine. Had it anodized clear to protect the aluminum, unfortunately the 40.... whatever fill rod changes color during the process. I think it looks kinda cool but use a different fill rod if you want it to stay aluminum color. At least the stud masking held up and they didn't get dissolved in the process.

[N4nier]

I, for one, appreciate and like the detailed posts! Solid work.

[Northern]

Love the pan detail posts.
I have a weird urge to N52 swap my car now.

On mine I was less picky and ended up chasing down multiple pin holes after it wouldn't hold pressure. Lesson learned, take the few extra minutes and prep the aluminum properly.

Reminds me of trying to fix a broken e34 M50 pan for my old 4-door. I think I went back at it half a dozen times because every time I tested it, it leaked. That old cast aluminum was nasty to weld, even after grinding out the edges/cracks, an inch clean up with scotchbrite disk, and a thorough acetone scrub...

[hoveringuy]

Love the pan detail posts.
Reminds me of trying to fix a broken e34 M50 pan for my old 4-door. I think I went back at it half a dozen times because every time I tested it, it leaked. That old cast aluminum was nasty to weld, even after grinding out the edges/cracks, an inch clean up with scotchbrite disk, and a thorough acetone scrub...

i just got done fitting a dual pressure and temperature sensor to my oil filter housing and learned a few things... As Northern said, it's more difficult welding on cast stuff, especially something that's been previously used. I first tried welding an actual NTP bung and it was a disaster! I was chasing pinholes and leaks everywhere. Finally took the approach of just building-up material and tapping that directly, which seems to be working well. The Aim is registering those values now and can't wait to log that this season!

I was discussing this with an E90 racer and he said that the stock fluid intercooler actually works better than the big external oil coolers, which really surprised me.






Striker01 did a great job on his pan! He's upgrading from the steel pan.

The steel pan was good, but the aluminum pan is better in many ways but also a little bit more difficult to fabricate. There are some tips and tricks for keeping bolt head clearance with fatter aluminum beads on the flange, for instance.

-It has better oil control. The windage tray is fully removable and replaces rubber Cosworth flaps with stainless trap doors.
-It uses a stock E36 OBD1 dipstick
-Weighs around 7lbs less.
-better heat dissipation
-more clearance to the rack for moving engine back

I was looking at an M20 yesterday and I'm pretty sure this pan has MORE clearance than even a stock M20!

Here are two more teaser pics since I'm already posting....

[projectJTv4]

I'm kinda hard headed and want to keep the m20 oil level sensor so I had to improvise with this pan. I drew a flange and had SCS bend it and add m6 studs.

Pretty neat!

[benz-tech]

THIS. IS. SEXY! I don’t know if I can run a steel pan after seeing this. My friend has a bed plate also. Another friend is a master at the TIG. I think the universe is trying to tell me something. Hoveringuy needs to make a CAD label that we can spot weld on so credit can be properly shown. If I can BAR mine, Cali guys will be all over this swap. And beautiful parts like this will fuel that fire