I was working with my engine builder today and we were discussing oil system modifications. For those of you that don't know, I'm doing the 400 HP modifications listed in the GM Sport compact build book. The book says that no oil system modifications are necessary, so I don't have to do them. But since the engine is out and on a stand, we are considering the following:

First, we are going to tap the oil pump for a supply line to an auxillary oil cooler and for the turbo shaft bearing. We are also going to tap the oil pan for the return. The L61 engine is cast with oil passages for the piston cooling jets that are installed in the LSJ engine. We have free and open access to these passages right now. We would have to drill and tap the holes, buy the parts (the actual jets), and then we are good to go. Tomorrow I am pricing out the necessary parts.

I am wondering if there are any pros out there that have done this job before. I am mostly concerned with if I should avoid doing it. Like I said, the build book says I don't have to, but I can.

 

does the Base/LS model have those pistion oil squirters that the SS has


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it is worth doing , might get a extra few hp from it

atleast help to save the pistons


and there is plenty of places to tap for oil pressure , you dont need to make a tap just for it


also there is a dimple on the main girdle(the piece between the pan and block) that is the oil drain back location for the 2.0 saab's

 

Nope, Just the SS.

Halfcent:

Are you gonna do piston cooling? If so, is there anything else you can cool with? Oil gets hot

 

The SS has the jets. For me to do the job, I have to simple pick up the parts from a GM goodwrench counter. I'm pricing all that out today. If its not cost prohibitive, I'll probably do it. As for what else I could use to cool with, what else could it be? I can't spray coolant inside in the engine. The whole purpose of oil is internal engine cooling. Trust me, no matter how hot the oil is, its cooler then that piston.

 

^yeh, i'm curious, let me know what you find out.

 

Sounds good to me Let us know how it turns out!

 

good luck with the build up man, any cooling feature you can add is always worth it , a cool engine is a happy engine. i will be doing a similar build up like this when my money gets right so hopefully we will all be able to learn from you when we go this route.

 

In reality, it would only make since, like you said, if its not cost prohibitive, just because the internals have to be replaced to take the punishment of the new f/i. If you are going to keep the balt as a street/partial strip car, I would def look into it due to the non-specific boost pattern that the car will see while driving in traffic, and then ocassional track. If you got the money, just do it, it's a little more insurance for the internals.

 

Ok, here's what I learned. I spoke with Bates Engineering today about this at length. He produces many of the smaller internal parts for GM racing. He's got stuff like tool steel oil gerator pumps, timing chain tensioners, improved valve spring kits, very plugged in. I love talking to him. Anyway, every engine he has built (hundreds by the way) have all been off the L61 engine block, and not a single one of them had the oil jets installed. He runs a 1000+ HP drag car without them.

Then, I sat down with my guy Bobby at the GM Goodwrench parts counter at the local chevy dealer and looked up the parts. We had to look at LSJ engine parts of course since the oil jets are not a part of the L61. The computer did list the jet assembly, but showed it as a non-available part for ordering. Couldn't even get a suggested retail price on it. The assembly is actually a rail that has all four cylinders on it and it plugs into an oil tap on one end.

So I decided not to bother with it. I have the GM build book telling me I don't need it, I've got Bates engineering telling me I don't need it, and it doesn't even seem like I could get it unless I tore it out of a busted up SS engine.

So for those of you thinking about it, hopefully this was helpful.