In addition to this, if YOUR information is correct, then the oil pan spacer should not be used for ANY FI application, not just the Vortech. It would make zero sense at all that it could be used for turbos and not superchargers.

 

Well the oil is under some /pressure/momentum so there should be no isssues. I see the point about the oil level and pooling, but I myself had no problems. I think that its a little overkill.

 

Thanks guys for all the encouragement, getting braver by the post As for the oil pan spacer issue, whats the verdict? Has anyone with the vortech and oil pan spacer method run into any problems? Per the vortech install manual, it only mentions that the oil drain is a gravity design and to make sure the line runs downward with no loops or kinks. As far as the decision to self install, I think I would draw the line at drilling holes in my engine! Anyone with some experience like to help for some cash and booze?

 

I agree. I understand that vortech is concerned that you would be returning the oil in the pan at a level that is below the "high oil level." that are sying that this could slow the oil drainage from the blower. it might, but not significantly.

it is the difference between pouring water into a partially filled glass through a straw with the straw either above the glass or the straw submerged below the water line. Either way, you are still filling the glass.....it may be negligibly slower when the straw is submerged due to the slight amount of pressure the water has pushing back on the water entering through the straw.

This is a very simple analogy, but I think it still relates.

 

So that black metal plate, which is about 10 inches square and 1.5 inches deep holds all of the oil...

 

It is not my information, it is from Vortech last time I checked. Spacer for return=no warranty. I tried to help. I'll leave it to the experts who have never actually installed a Vortech kit. (I have by the way) Good luck and I'm done with this thread...

 

here's a link to a poll thread I started over on g35driver.com regarding the oil pan spacer:
http://g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108596

BTW, I bought an AAM spacer for my turbonetics install.

 

BTW, I have installed 3 Vortech kits myself and none have ever had a problem concerning oil draining with the spacer.

 

The vortech system uses gravity as return. So when the return line is below the old level it has to try and push oil in the pan out of the way to let the oil in that just went through the SC. When the return line is above the oil level it just flows in.

 

The physics of the problem is not difficult to understand..It's all about pressure or Delta pressures. However if you wanna be absolutely safe the return should be above the oil level..Now, if internal pressure plus the oil head pressure at the location of the return (for the oil return below the liquid level case) is equal to or greater than the return static head pressure (due to gravity the density of the oil and height of the return line to the pan return(approx 24in) than the return oil will not flow into it..I think the most critical element is whether the oil pan is under some internal pressure.??Anyone know?? Sorry if this only confuses but cyber communication is cumbersome..

 

there could be some crankcase pressures, but certainly not enough to force a back up in the oil return line.

 

For the nay sayers:

https://my350z.com/forum/showpost.ph...43&postcount=9

 

I was going to make a comment on that but figured WTF---But I feel better personally when the return is above the oil line

And jpc --The crankcase is vented so other than a small fluctuation in Vac/Press due to pistons going up and down (a pump really) there is no pressure in the crankcase to speak of

Teh --Vortech is just covering there A$$

 

I agree with that. CoverYourAss

 

The only real difference between a s/c and a turbo is the one is belt driven and one is exhaust driven. We know that the oil is definitely pressurized when it comes into the unit. If the oil didn't have pressure coming out of the unit, you wouldn't need the larger hose that Vortech supplies. The reason that you need the large hose on the return side is because the s/c unit takes the oil and churns it up so that when it leaves the s/c it has increased volumetrically. I don't see any way possible that the oil coming out is only being pushed by gravity. The s/c unit has to be pushing the oil out with some amount of force.

 

Hmmm, Interesting. When I took my Voretch off a few days ago I was expecting a little bit of oil to trickle out of the return line, but I was surprised when it chugged out for a good few seconds!

 

Well ---a little apples and oranges but the pressurized oil system in ur engine creates no pressure on the return.
Also keep in mind that the pressurized line going to ur SC/TC is of a small diameter in order to sustain high pressure,,, Much like a water hose ---a 1/2 in hose coming of ur valve will have more press at the end than a 3/4 in. will. As far as the dump -----Why take a chance of backing things up ---Get it back to the sump as fast as u can. Hence the 5/8th hose----which sucks BTW ---It should be S/S teflon inner tube like the feed line. I dont like the idea of heat causing it to become brittle or burn and all ur oil gettin dumped on the Highway -----Kinda like a 007 Austin Martin thing plus a fried motor

 

That could well have been normal vacuum lock from the last engine shut down. If hypothetically u had loosened the feed line before u took off the dump line it prob would have drained out of the S/C into the sump.

 

Do the spacer, works fine from what i hear. However i am not sure it will drain completely but I know THE TECH has done it without problems...

 

Now just to be clear, I'm not saying that the return line is getting the same pressure as the inlet, but it has to have more than just a trickle.