Who's interested ....Steel Oil Pan M20 E30

[michaele30]

OK

First off let me start by saying, I have personally replaced my oil pan 4x having owned and driven an e30 on and off for 10yrs.

IF YOU DRIVE A LOWERED E30 THEN PLS CONTINUE READING!!!

I finally came up up with this idea to have a repoduction pan made out of punched out/pressed steel, similar to many other pans found on late model cars of today and yesterday.

Benefits: Can take a lot more abuse, can be dented and will not CRACK/Shatter like OEM. Dents can then be hammered back out depending on severity. Other than that, it will perform all the same duties as the OEM Cast Aluninum part, and hopefully be cheaper.

Here is what I am proposing. I have been in communication with several manufacturers of steel pans. I propOsed this idea to them and several have expressed interest in working with me to produce this REPLICA part in steel, rather than Cast Aluminum.

I don't have pricing info yet. I need to get a feel as to how many I need to request, as they price based on volume.

Please post a reply to express your interest or comments.

PS- If I am not mistaken, one of the 525i (e34) models used a pan like this, but for some reason not on the e30.

More info to follow..please spread the word, the mroe the better the pricing!!!

[rThor432]

PS- If I am not mistaken, one of the 525i (e34) models used a pan like this, but for some reason not on the e30.

Looks like it. I know the E28's did as well, but I think the shape is different.

There are a few guys making skid plates for these though, and it's a good bit easier to install those than an oil pan.

[Naplm00]

why not just use a bash plate?


I have ej knights


the fisr day i wne t out with my lowered car, it saved it

[nando]

maybe if you added some oil control baffling inside, it might be worth something.

IMO, steel oil pans are a pain. They tend to warp around the bolt mounting points causing leaks.. plus if it was so much better, why do almost all cars have aluminum pans?

[Naplm00]

maybe if you added some oil control baffling inside, it might be worth something.

IMO, steel oil pans are a pain. They tend to warp around the bolt mounting points causing leaks.. plus if it was so much better, why do almost all cars have aluminum pans?

just to play devils advocate here:

because most cars are designed with enough suspention travel / engine mounting to avoid a catastrophic impact?

[NC325iC]

not that most people would ever need one, but no one to my knowledge offers an off the shelf dry sump pan for an m20. and i include myself in that most people

[ieatpeople]

i was under my e28 528e on saturday, and noticed the steel oil pan for the first time. i was wondering why they didn't use it on the e30's?? i have heard about all the poeple that crack the aluminium pans on stuff, and thought "why not just run a steel pan?"

[allwheeldrive]

IMO, steel oil pans are a pain. They tend to warp around the bolt mounting points causing leaks.. plus if it was so much better, why do almost all cars have aluminum pans?

I have to disagree here. The only reason a steel pan would warp would be from installer error. Typically, silicone would be used for the gasket instead of a rubber or cork gasket. If the silicone is applied properly and allowed to cure, bolts tightened properly, then it'll last 100k miles easy without leaks. I've seen it and done it day in, day out with Toyota's and Subaru's alone. All of whom use steel pans. That being said, would you be able to use silicone for the gasket instead of the crappy pre-made gaskets that'll wear out in short time?

[JasonC]

maybe if you added some oil control baffling inside, it might be worth something.

I'd have to agree with this.

[dashboardmonkey]

With a steel pan you could make it hold more oil, thus maybe resolving the oil starvation issue on long hard left turns.

[Hallen]

maybe if you added some oil control baffling inside, it might be worth something.

IMO, steel oil pans are a pain. They tend to warp around the bolt mounting points causing leaks.. plus if it was so much better, why do almost all cars have aluminum pans?

I would agree with this too. Especially for those of us running without the A/C components, it would be easy to extend the pan out the right side just like it is on the left. Put some baffles in and all would be good.

Of course a good quality windage tray would be welcome too.

[Knockenwelle]

IMHO, oil pans are only a problem on lowered cars without enough springrate or proper bumpstops.

Then there's the odd rock or big pothole in the middle of the road, but unless said obstacle entirely unavoidable, it shouldn't be a problem.

Though not a concern on the M20, replacing the factory aluminum pan will reduce overall case rigidity slightly. The clamshell might not fit. Dents that can be repaired may still break the pump or pickup. Factory baffling in the pan is pretty good.

Other than those concerns, a steel pan is perfectly viable. Have fun.

[SpecM]

+1 to more oil capasity