Hi all, this is my first post in here as I am about to be the proud owner of a 350Z. So I got a good deal on this car because it needs a few fixes. It was in a minor accident, and of the minor fixes needed, the most critical is that the oil pan was cracked (dude lost control and popped up on a sidewalk). Since it needs a new oil pan anyway, I was thinking about upgrading to a larger one, but my concern is, since the car is already pretty low to the ground, should I be concerned about ground clearance with an even farther extended oil pan? I'm mostly concerned about hitting potholes, going over speedbumps, etc. Your input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
-Nate

 

It will not be a problem. Go for it. I'm running the JWT spacer which is roughly an inch or so thick and that is definately not the lowest point on my car.

 

I run with the aam spacer and no worries unless you run up on a curb.

 

^Good point. You will only need to be concerned if you get into the same accident, Pot holes and speed bumps will not hit it.

 

you also can try to locate a Greddy pan perhaps used - bigger,but tends to give the most clearance of any of the aftermarket pans out there

 

Why? Stick with the OEM unless you have a reason to change to something else, and then you already know the answer - if it's lower than the OEM, you are more likely to hit it, that's just common sense.

 

Isnt the OE pan going to be tougher and take light hits the best since its stamped steel vs the aftermarket pans which are cast aluminum. Cast AL tends to crack stamped steel would dent before it cracks.

 

So from a durability standpoint it makes sense to use stock, but for performance it makes sense to go with a larger oil pan. Sounds like the spacer might be the best way to go. Thanks guys!

 

Who said that a spacer makes sense from a performance standpoint? Two identical cars, right down to every reasonable bolt-on, identical drivers, same everything. Guess what? The car without the spacer wins every time. No way that extra quart will do anything but add weight and reduce ground clearance while possibly adding windage. I think I'll stick w/ Nissan on this one. If there was ANY discernible benefit by increasing the crankcase capacity, I trust they would have. If you intend to go FI or need to tap into the pan, that's a different story.

 

Ok well I thought the added oil capacity would help cool and lube the engine more effeciently. Why would they make bigger oil pans and spacers just to weigh down the car? Is this just a frivilous add on or is this something that could actually improve performance? I could just as easily replace the damaged pan with a stock one, but I figured this was the right time to ask this question since I haven't bought a part yet.

 

Spacers add depth, complete pans are wider so oil capacity is increased but clearence dosent suffer---Its alwas good to have an extra qt----mainly for cooler oil.

 

The reason I went with an aftermarket pan is because the oil takes longer to break down if you're running 6 qts instead of 5 qts. And with the added benefit of cooling fins on most aftermarket pans, the oil runs cooler too. That helps to further prolong the life of the oil as well as engine components.

 

Cooler oil, longevity before break-down, all true. The point is that quantitatively, the improvement in these areas are probably indiscernible, although the reduction in ground clearance and initial investment for a larger pan are very obvious. I have used aftermarket aluminum oil pans on several cars, and frankly, it's a toss-up, so don't expect to see a difference in any of the areas mentioned above. It's similar to putting a larger radiator on a stock motor. May see a difference, probably won't, especially if everything on the motor is working properly.

 

Well with my stock rad I was hitting 97C on the freeway. Now with my Koyo 53mm, temps are pegged at 80C (the temp the thermostat opens/closes). Temps would go much lower I'm sure if I took the thermostat out.

I don't have before & after oil temps to compare (because my oil temp gauge is not hooked up yet) so I can't speak to that. Although most people do report about a 10C drop in oil temps with an aftermarket pan. 20C-30C with an external oil cooler.

 

Ok cool. Looks like the general consensus is that since I have to get a frickin oil pan I might as well go with an aftermarket one. Last question about this then will be, is this one I've pasted below a good one to go with? Looks like a good deal for only $100, but I don't know anything about the brand. Thoughts?

http://www.slowboyracing.com/estore/...at=1135&page=1

 

If that is a real aps pan and not some cheap knockoff def get it forr a $100 bucks.

 

I'm not trying to knock on your opinions but, when people buy the 350Z they are purchasing a performance car. In that respect I trust that Nissan has gone above and beyond the limit compared to most cars to ensure that it performs and is reliable as a sports car should be because of the harder more endurance driving it might receive by the owner.

On that note, I don't see why a cooler 6qt oil pan would hurt as a upgrade/modification that is going to further increase the longevity of the vehicle. When I think of doing a mod like this it is because I am trying to get the most efficient gains from my power upgrades and if adding a more efficient oil pan, catch can, oil cooler helps increase the quality of my car under the stress of performance parts than I am all for it.

So, I say get the after market oil pan with a piece of mind that it will prolong the efficiency of your vehicle.

David

 

Well --cut the crap, if you can add an extra qt --cool , do it , I have, and always have ---over 30 yrs added bigger pans. Dont hurt and is just better

 

just a lil fyi on the aps
you will need to add a spacer to the oil pickup as it does drop the pan lower

 

Wow $100 for the APS is cheap, isn't it?