I have been looking for a solution to my concerns of oil starvation in my F/I engine. I came across an "Oil Accumulator" system that might be very useful and thought I would share. After reading what do you think about using this in our Z's??.

This system is in simple terms an auxilliary tank that uses compressed air to empty the tank's oil into the engine's oil supply system to maintain a constant level. The system returns excess oil back to the accumulator.The system can also (and almost more importantly ) send oil to the engine before it starts. This is supposed to prevent damage when the engine is most vulnerable.
Benefits (according to the company):

The Accumulator is tapped to the pressure side of the engine’s oiling system. When the engine is running, oil pressure forces reserve oil into the accumulator and compresses the air ahead.

If oil pressure should suddenly drop because of hard acceleration, severe cornering or hard braking, the air pressure immediately sends oil to the main galleries. When the danger is over and the pump is once again primed with oil, the oil pressure forces oil back into the Accumulator where it is ready for the next emergency.

Oil Accumulators provide an instantaneous supply of oil when pressure falls below a safe level. Available with a 3- or 1.5-quart capacity. The 1.5-quart version is perfect for Sport Compacts and other vehicles with 4- and 6-cylinder engines. Moroso’s Accumulator 2 (No. 23903) is intended for street performance and mild off-road applications, and features a 1.5-quart capacity.

All Accumulators store oil under pressure and automatically release that oil to the main galleries when oil pressure drops. Moroso Accumulators can also be used to manually pre-lube engines before starting to prevent cold-start scuffing and premature bearing wear.

Two links for two different companies system:

Moroso:
http://www.moroso.com/catalog/catego...?catcode=13600


<a href="http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/z350boy/?action=view&current=IMG_3996.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/z350boy/IMG_3996.jpg" border="0" alt="Moroso oil Accumulator"></a>

Canton Racing Products:
http://treperformance.com/i-133415-c...cumulator.html

 

Not sure how it would help on cranking since it would have no oil to start with. Sounds like a good idea if you can get it to fit somewhere.

EDIT: just read the manual valve for cold cranking - blah - too much trouble for every car start. Amsoil has one that's automatic - seen that posted before...

 

They also have an electric valve option for remote operation which is what got my really thinking about buying it. I also saw Amsoils unit which was my first choice, however I am concerned about the remote oil filter set-up with that system.

 

My friend has had an Accusump one in his Subaru for 3 years now it has the automatic oiling once his acc key is on and he loves it. He originally got it due to some oil starvation when cornering hard but thinks the pre oiling alone is worth the cost. He has been pushing me to get one forever I just never got around to it his is mounted in the trunk.

 

I run a 4 quart in my offroad race car. it's a brilliant device that ensures I never get oil starvation. In high lateral and negitive G situations I never see below 40psi. It's also fantastic for pre-oiling the engine before startup. Before I "turn the key" I have between 20-30 psi before the engine turns over.
They don't call it the cheap mans dry sump for nothing.
I haven't calculated how long a 4 quart will last in long sweeping high G race corners, however it's certainly enough to cater to the quick thrust situations of off road racing.

 

Hmm. I need to look into buying one. On Aircraft we have Accumulators everywhere, I have a petty good understanding on they work. I need to read some more and see how you add the compressed air and how much of it.

 

There doesnt seem to be any room for that unless you remote mount it somewhere.

 

I was thinking on top of the radiator or something

 

This one:http://www.smartsynthetics.com/produ...mk01-amk02.htm?

 

That thing is pretty big. I doubt it would fit on top of the rad.

 

Damn, so I guess the next best location is under the passenger's seat cushion.

 

My friend put his in his trunk it works fine just lots on lines.

 

hmm subbing for some results if anyone does this

 

i dont personally use them for my cars... but have installed accusumps.

they are cool and work well, i just personally dont like extra stuff in my car.

however, one of my FAVORITE things to use them for:

I fill it with oil by manually pouring it in from fresh bottles, Then I pressurize the unit with an air compressor. Then I disconnect my turbo oil feed line and hook the accusump up there instead. I turn the key to the ACC position, and open the accumsump valve.

I watch my oil pressure gauge go up, and pre-pressurize the entire oil system in a freshly built engine before ever starting it. This eliminates that first dry start with only assembly lube and helps a lot especially on a car with an oil cooler, where getting oil pressure for the first time takes forrrever as the entire system has to purge.

This is great especially on cars that use oil pressure for the timing chain/belt tensioner... get rid of all that slack before cranking the engine!

 

According to the tech dept @ RPW (Racer Parts Wholesale) the unit is sealed and pressurized. You only add air if the pressure somehow drops.

There is alos a Turbo Oil accumulator designed to cool turbochargers:

(Company description)
The Accusump Turbo After-Oiler solves the main cause of Turbo wear and failure by supplying a pressurized discharge of approximately 1 qt of oil to the hot turbo bearings during turbo spool down. This oil will lubricate and cool the bearings and prevent coke build up (which limits oil flow). Manufactured with the same design features and to the same high standards as all Accusumps. A piston separates the oil side from the air pressure side which allows the the unit to be mounted in any position and permits an air precharge. With a precharge all the oil is discharged under pressure for positive oiling and no oil is diverted from the engine until pressure is established on restart. The Turbo After-Oiler is easy to install and is virtually maintenance free.

 

^^^ isnt the same thing accomplished with a turbo timer essentially??

 

Sounds like it.

 

Modern turbos don't coke because they are also water fed.
I would think an accumulator in that position would only promote wear by continiously heat cycling the turbo bearings.

 

only BB turbos are water cooled as a standard. most journal bearing are still only oil cooled.

 

Typical noob answer when they think they no enough.