Accusump or not?

It improved somewhat, but didn't eliminate, the oil surge problem in the GT4 I used to track. I think the only definitive solution is a dry sump.

 

Agreed the dry sump is the best solution. However, I credit the accusump with saving the engine in my 928 track car. I toasted a rod bearing in one heavy DE season when I first started tracking it. I now have 2 seasons on the 'new' motor and it's still going strong. I'm going to change rod bearings this winter, so I'll have a better idea how it's held up then.

Bill

 

Accusump is great for a tracked car. If its aggressive steet driving its probably not needed: Add an extra quart.
Accusumps can also be configured to pre-oil the car on start-up.
Pure race; dry sump.

 

Agreed. Accusumps will prevent or really minimize the oil starvation issues around corners. I don't know that one is needed at start up. I've asked several mechanics and none of them had seen any engine wear in non-tracked cars that they could remotely pin on oil starvation at start up. If it was an issue I guess the thought process is that Ferrari would have addressed it.

 

Recently at Watkins Glen, I ran my 308QV with the accusump both operational and non operational. There is a significant difference in oil pressure on hard right hand turns. I would not track a wet sump car without one. Next time you are in a deserted parking lot, try driving in a tight circle to a point where your tires are talking to you and check out your oil pressure guage. You'll see what I mean.

The accusump also gives me some piece of mind knowing that the car's oil is pressurized before I hit the starter. One other benefit, it allows an additional 2 quarts of oil to be running thru the system.

 

I have an accusump on my 355C not for oil starvation reasons, but for pre-oiling. For what ever reason my oil presure would take about 5 sec. to register that bothered me, this method eliminated that problem. In my case I open the valve to let 3 quarts into the engine before I start the car. Then I let the oil refill the tank and close the valve for the next start up. Regards, Vern

 

I guess you could also modify the pick-up and baffles in the oil pan . . .

 

Can someone post what is involved in installing an accusump? Where did you tap in and where did you install the accusump? Pix would be much appreciated. I have yet to track my car, but I've lost pressure on some on/off ramps.

Henry

 

I was at a track day the other weekend and a guy there had a GT4 with a 3qt accusump. He said that after he installed it, he did not notice any more oil starvation problems. Of course, he may not drive his car as hard as you plan on driving? He also said that he used stock parts from Moroso (spelling?) to install the system. He did have to fabricate a special one way valve to the oil cooler. According to him, the oil was flowing the wrong way under certain conditions? I am not 100% clear on that. If I were you, I'd try the overfill first and see if it helps to reduce/solve your problem.

 

For track, the oil starvation isssue is the amount of time the car is held in high lateral acceleration mode, such as the carousel at Road America. Remember too, the stock pump flows a prodigious rate. I posted the data once before. A 3qt accusump will be suctioned dry in a few seconds and if that doesn't provide added oil for the pick up to be immersed again, you've gained little other than having way too much oil in the sump which will be massively aerated as it gets whipped around by the crank. Also, I don't know how the accusump refills, but the idea of (damage caused by) 3 additional qts in the sump is ugly.

Even with the dry sump, I would always turn the motor over to see it register pressure before starting.
Philip

 

*highjack*

Philip,
Is that your 308 on Ebay right now? Yellow dry sumped car with electromotive. Looks real nice.

John

 

The accusump is a pressurised holding tank that is "T'ed" into the oiling system. Typically after the oil pump, and before the crank and rod bearings.
When the oil pump runs dry, the accusump feeds oil into the engine.
When the oil pump finds oil again, the accusump refills itself.
It does not dump oil into the oil sump.

 

Here is the setup on my car. The accusump is plumbed into the oil filter housing.
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What's in the box biiaatch?

John

 

cold air...

 

John:
yes, my (ex-) car. I sold it a couple of months ago to a dealer who's testing the market. Good luck on getting the price being asked.
Philip

 

No kidding $54k!

 

Stratos, Good move if you use the Accusump. It has saved many an engine at a price that is to good to be true.

 

YES!

 

Hi Paul,

Can you explain a little more about how you ran the lines on this? Did you run an extra line into where the oil pressure sendor was?

Gotta do something about my starvation problem and not sure I want to take on the dry sump right now.

Thanks,

Sean

 

Sean,

Fchat sponsor Nick Forza now offers a modded windage tray for the oil sump that is said to alleviate the oil starvation situation. i have one of them here and Verell and other NE Fchatters are helping me install it this weekend.

 

Cool . . . how about some pic's?

Is it just the windage tray or does he do some mod to the baffeling in the oil pan?

Sean