To Windage or not to windage...that is the question!

[MarPar]

So i am about to re-do my oil pan and im wondering...do i really need a windage tray?


the motor is a pretty bone stock 440 HP, with a 727 and a 3.91 SG. I dont take it to the track-nor plan on it-just terrorize fart-can ricers on the street. The highest rpm I get to is 5000 or so, and that's just light to light. i don't sustain it for any period of time. the only time i sustain and rpm's is on the highway, and that's around 2800 or so.

so what say you FBBO? To Windage or not to windage??

thanks for all your input!! :headbang:

 

[70rr-brian]

My understanding about their existence is to prevent oil vortexing at the crank that can rob horsepower at higher rpm's. But oil vortexing can occur at mid range rpm's too. Plus the obvious lack of oil in the pan for the pickup to put back up top. If it were all stroked out I doubt you could even use one without fabricating something yourself (But who knows there may be aftermarket windage trays that account for strokers)... But since it is stock and your driving habits are what they are I would say its just something to complicate the install and a possible leak point. But that's just me.

But Ma Mopar felt the need to put them on...

 

[bm02tj]

I think Rustyratrod referenced one that is gasket and tray in one

I will try to find the post and write it down this time

I started a book with leads in it so I do not lose them

found it made by JEGS

10-02-2012, 07:37 AM #18
Montclaire
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FYI Jegs has produced a one-piece windage tray of their own, complete with molded in gaskets. A little pricey but maybe worth it if you need to install one with the block in the car.


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[terzmo]

I had a 498 stroker that when hard pressed in the qtr, at about 90 the oil pressure would drop to nothing,just by letting off the oil pressure returned to normal. Installed a windage tray and it never happened again. As your setup, I wouldn't bother as you are not going to race. Good luck with it and enjoy

 

[Pops1967GTX]

I think you hit on the head....What are your demands on the engine....There's not much worry of oil starvation....The advantages come in play at the higher Rpm’s. A windage tray & a cranksahft scraper do have benefits.......

 

[moparmarkk]

how come all mopar police cars came with them from the factory?all street cars-right?i think that all engines can benefit,if you can stop the oil in the pan from hitting the crank,mark

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

how come all mopar police cars came with them from the factory?all street cars-right?i think that all engines can benefit,if you can stop the oil in the pan from hitting the crank,mark

I agree:blob1:

 

[WileE]

For your stated purpose, no. Unless you're going to run the motor under conditions the windage tray is intended for.

 

[tallhair]

I may have an extra stock one if you want Mario .. but it may be a while as the parts are a couple hours away and I only get over there about once a month.

You know what they are for and so did Ma .. your GTX would have had one originally

 

[RustyRatRod]

Everything is a compromise. A windage tray keeps oil off the crank but also stops needed splash lubrication from the rest of the bottom end. Run one if you want to, but I honestly don't think it's necessary.

 

[Figgy308]

Another point is that the JEGS windage trap is reusable so if you have the pan off again at any stage you save some money on buying additional gaskets.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Everything is a compromise. A windage tray keeps oil off the crank but also stops needed splash lubrication from the rest of the bottom end. Run one if you want to, but I honestly don't think it's necessary.

There will be NO lack of lube for the bottom end.The windage helps keep the oil from getting aerated causing air bubbles getting sucked up by the pick-up:glasses2:

I use a crank scraper,but with a slightly higher HP application:headbang:

 

[67 coronet]

just put it in.you never know how a situation may change.the factory hp eng used em for a reason and those are not full race cars.any performance aplication should use one for safety.it is a very low expence for the added protection.it will not hurt a thing and could save your motor given a bad unexpected situation.

 

[99ss]

Yes I would use one, there is no reason not to and it could hurt you if you dont.
Factory engines come with them now-a-days for a reason.. or at least Ls1,2,3,6,7,9's come with them.

 

[Photon440]

Putt putt around town and it won't matter. Car Craft tested a 440 with and without a windage tray and saw no difference below 4000 rpm. Right after that speed though, there was an improvement, up to about 6 hp and 6 ft/lb.

If you already have the tray, I'd use it. It's one of the free-est power gains you'll find.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0205_mopar_440_update/photo_07.html

 

[MarPar]

unfortunately, i bought a windage from summit already, and totally forgot about the one from jegs. DOH.

reason i was considering going without a windage is ive been chasing leaks with this car since i got it. I have reused the same oil pan everytime ive done it, and I finally found a new 971 pan from summit (made by moroso!--damn it if i would have known that i would have bought it a long time ago!!) so i think that should help, but i want to try and eliminate any sources of leakage and since im not really beating this car too much, i figured the windage is not necessary. but i may reconsider that stance now--(frothy oil aint good fo' nobody!).

i may just return the windage from summit and buy the one from jegs. *sigh* more time waiting on parts!!

thank you kindly for all your inputs
--your humble black sheep

***updated***

bought the one from jegs...$80 with shipping

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/502000/10002/-1

 

[Gpuller]

That windage try from Jegs looks like a slick deal! Glad to hear your going with the tray, can't complain about free hp.

 

[99ss]

I wouldnt think the tray would cause leaks ?

 

[MarPar]

I wouldnt think the tray would cause leaks ?

the tray itself, no. but the two gaskets on top and bottom could. too many damn gaskets!! lol

 

[99ss]

Oh, it sits on the gasket area... the ones I'm familiar with sit off the main studs and dont effect the sealing surfaces what so ever... yea stsking gaskets is never fun