The Oil Pan Thread

[M.Burroughs]

Well, this section is about getting the most out of your suspension. How about a thread where the suspension gets the most out of you?

I just had my first oil pan incident. I didn't destroy it, but I have a 3" hairline crack. I just lathered it up with some JB Weld... we'll see how she holds up. I'll have a pic up in a bit.

So, how about you guys? Austin has like 3 hanging on his wall. :D

[SeanDub]

My pan is safe and sound.. so far

[southpaw]

luckily E46s came with a metal pan to protect it..

[bjh102]

my pans doing alright for the time being. still need to get lower tho

[driggers.a]

On the fifth. 2 destroyed, 2 hairline cracks.

[M.Burroughs]

On the fifth. 2 destroyed, 2 hairline cracks.

That's my boy.

[AlpineE30M52]

The cooling fins on the bottom of my pan are gone... That is all. But my 3" exhaust, now that's a different story. It's becoming more like a < 2.6" exhaust every day...

[M.Burroughs]

The cooling fins on the bottom of my pan are gone... That is all. But my 3" exhaust, now that's a different story. It's becoming more like a < 2.6" exhaust every day...

:D You'll wear through it eventually.

[TheNeek]

I'm not even all that low and I'm slowly chipping (literally) away at my lower oilpan. My drive way is pretty serious.

[M.Burroughs]

I'm not even all that low and I'm slowly chipping (literally) away at my lower oilpan. My drive way is pretty serious.

It's time you post good pics of your driveway. :)

[driggers.a]

I've just got dents in my down pipes from my driveway, along with a worn down tranny brace.

The real killer are the ruts that trucks make, those will eat anything under your car alive.

[SeanDub]

I've just got dents in my down pipes from my driveway, along with a worn down tranny brace.

The real killer are the ruts that trucks make, those will eat anything under your car alive.

Yup, thats what finished off the cross brace on my car. I'm sure I've done some good damage to the new one as well. Makes cool noises and sparks though ahahah

[Relax]

I'm not that low to be tearing up my oil pan. But I am low enough to rip up my tires with my fenders. It sounds like the devil passing gas...

[TheStig]

My oil pan hasnt taken any hits yet. My swaybar however... I drag that on the crowns on some roads.

[M.Burroughs]

E36 oil pans aren't exposed you guys. :stickoutt

[bjh102]

E36 oil pans aren't exposed you guys. :stickoutt

true but the powersteering pumps are lol

[M.Burroughs]

Hmm, power steering pump or oil pan, which would I rather have hit? :stickoutt

[driggers.a]

That would utterly suck if you knocked your PS pump out, might as well knock the pan out. Either way it makes your car un-driveable. The PS pump is a billion times easier to clean though.

[M.Burroughs]

Not on e36s man. You can still drive 'em.

[ladiexmack]

2 pans down, on my 3rd.

Oh, and a shaved dog bone mount. Weight reduction, yo.

[M.Burroughs]

Well played, mackie.

[TheNeek]

That would utterly suck if you knocked your PS pump out, might as well knock the pan out. Either way it makes your car un-driveable. The PS pump is a billion times easier to clean though.

Powersteering? What's that?

[driggers.a]

If my PS goes out my brakes fail...Learned that the hard way.

[M.Burroughs]

If my PS goes out my brakes fail...Learned that the hard way.

Well, they don't fail, but they suck a monstrous dick. I had to drive for a week without a PS pump. Worst week ever. :(

[TheStig]

I know this is a thread about pans, but I think it would suck to rip a sway bar mount out of the body, don't you?

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q144/98ventovr/Picture033.jpg

[TheNeek]

It's time you post good pics of your driveway. :)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z45/m42power/_MG_8345.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z45/m42power/_MG_8347.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z45/m42power/_MG_8351.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z45/m42power/_MG_8352.jpg

[E36HB]

I've just got dents in my down pipes from my driveway, along with a worn down tranny brace.

The real killer are the ruts that trucks make, those will eat anything under your car alive.

One of those took out my front bumper last week When I stopped and got out my swaybar was just touching it.

needless to say I was so happy it was a red light. Had I been going 30 or 4o my car would have been finished.

[Logan]

I shot sparks the other day. I was so happy about that lmao. I am so going to buy some drag blocks lol.

[Digitalwave]

My swaybar however... I drag that on the crowns on some roads.

I **** that, changing lanes and scraping (or hitting reflectors in the road).

I had a huge grin on my face the first time someone told me I threw sparks.

[SeanDub]

I hit the cross bar thing a lot. The one that the xBrace replaces.

[Digitalwave]

Oh, and there is no undercoating left on my frame rails.

[SeanDub]

Yea me neither they drag on even the smallest of bumps lol.

[TheStig]

I **** that, changing lanes and scraping (or hitting reflectors in the road).

I had a huge grin on my face the first time someone told me I threw sparks.

HAHA me too, they stopped me all worried that my car was falling apart, had no idea what it was. I just smiled :D

[TheStig]

Oh, and there is no undercoating left on my frame rails.

+1

[Gator]

As a driver of vr6 VWs, I am always aware of oil pan incidents, I've only broken one, on my old gti, stock height, driving on a dirt road to get some luvin, blew a hole in my oil pan about 3 inchs by 2, no luvin that night :( and a nice tow truck ride home

[frink84]

never killed pans, but have busted cats on my mustang and the ltd lx before it. the foxbodies were designed with the cats being the lowest part of the car.... brilliance!

nearly pulled the exhaust on my mustang off by the cat->catback flange putting it on my dad's lift... that wasnt cool at all.

[driggers.a]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3599131448_3f9f06615d_o.jpg

[notloEnuf]

Busted 2 on my old MK4 gti, busted 2 on my old MK3 jetta, and 1 on my old MK2 golf. needless to say i have felt the pain of having to change an oil pan on the side of the rd. and it's no fun although it is quite funny when people stop to ask if everything is ok and u get to tell them what happened. Who carries the essential oil pan repair kit in the trunk?

skidplates FTW

[driggers.a]

It really is impossible to change my oilpan on the side of the road. You can either raise the engine or drop the subframe, sway bar, and chassis brace. Either way it is about a 4 hour job.

[notloEnuf]

mk4's oil pans a re pritty easy, as well are mkII's....i wouldnt want to do yours...lol

[Digitalwave]

Man, that is a nice crack on the front pan in that photo Austin.

[M.Burroughs]

Somehow I don't think "crack" describes it right :rofl

[Digitalwave]

I know, right. More like gorge.

[TheStig]

I went through 3 pans, in less than a year on my MK3 VR.

[M.Burroughs]

Took my maiden voyage since repairing my pan- all's well. :D

[TheNeek]

I don't think Mose's could have done a better job on Austin's oil pan.

[M.Burroughs]

LOL. Truth.

[SeanDub]

Hahahaha

[driggers.a]

Everytime somebody walks in my garage that knows anything about cars, the oil pan comes up...Usually something like; "WTF happened here?!?!"

Its funny going through pans and people asking you if you raised the car...Only to answer, "no" and have them look at you with the craziest look. Its all just part the game.

[Big_E-DOg]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3599131448_3f9f06615d_o.jpg



you should make that a stanceworks sig LOL!

STANCEWORKS new oil pans on a regular

[TheStig]

Everytime somebody walks in my garage that knows anything about cars, the oil pan comes up...Usually something like; "WTF happened here?!?!"

Its funny going through pans and people asking you if you raised the car...Only to answer, "no" and have them look at you with the craziest look. Its all just part the game.

My parents say the same thing... Parents just dont understand... :D

[525iT_Feen]

Hairline cracked mine a few months back which isn't easy. This is what the car was sitting at when I cracked it (the rear went up because i drove the car to SC from my house with four people in it for spring break and was rubbing like wild).

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs024.snc1/3100_521029316655_74402616_30821424_1839398_n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs024.snc1/3100_521029246795_74402616_30821421_2427285_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs024.snc1/3100_521029311665_74402616_30821423_1932484_n.jpg

[SeanDub]

:D

[Exami]

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs024.snc1/3100_521029311665_74402616_30821423_1932484_n.jpg

humm.. not orginal M-Sport tho.. on original there is too much plastic underneath front bumper..

On my mind you quys should do drysump oil system and get that 1" to get lower? :rolleyes

[SeanDub]

Why the :rolleyes

[Exami]

Why the :rolleyes

haha whynot? shy one you se?

[M.Burroughs]

Sean, it can also be a "thinking" smiley.

[SeanDub]

Oh, I've always interpreted it as a sarcastic/negative smiley.

[B Rod]

Bf.c will do that to you.

[M.Burroughs]

Ususally it is, I do the same, but if you think about it with a fresh mind, you can see why others would see it as "thinking" or "day dreaming".

[525iT_Feen]

humm.. not orginal M-Sport tho.. on original there is too much plastic underneath front bumper..

On my mind you quys should do drysump oil system and get that 1" to get lower? :rolleyes

Yea its a replica. The fitment didn't matter seeing as how my front fenders are flared and nothing lines up exactly perfect.

Cracking oil pans is cheaper then drysumping. :eyebrows

[M.Burroughs]

Yea its a replica. The fitment didn't matter seeing as how my front fenders are flared and nothing lines up exactly perfect.

Cracking oil pans is cheaper then drysumping. :eyebrows

Only for a little while :stickoutt

[Exami]

Yea its a replica. The fitment didn't matter seeing as how my front fenders are flared and nothing lines up exactly perfect.

Cracking oil pans is cheaper then drysumping. :eyebrows

Well i rather keep my oils in engine that lay them down on ground :shifty

[Exami]

Ok heres something about finnish speedbumps also known as Oilpan killers:

low&small one under my car..
http://robi.1g.fi/kuvat/Kaikkee/IMG_0562.JPG/_smaller.jpg

And heres the main killer... 70mm high (and over max 80mm) and i can't go over these with out scrubing something either plastic or exhaust..
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2711/speedbump.jpg

[M.Burroughs]

hahah monster speedbumps!

[TheStig]

hahah monster speedbumps!

That actually scares me a little

[blue bags]

this
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c141/saidandone/45.jpg
thanks to this
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c141/saidandone/4464_550628284756_41507682_32678296.jpg

[M.Burroughs]

I do believe we just got served, boys.

[schroedin]

What is going on in that first picture?

[SeanDub]

His bags are set down

[blue bags]

What is going on in that first picture?
just skidplate and control arms taking a nap on the ground.
i went through a few to many oil pans on coils so now i have bags to go lower, and higher when necessary :)

[87e30]

What do you guys crack the pans on? I don't get how you so go through so many... i guess that just means I need to get lower. :D

[525iT_Feen]

Only for a little while :stickoutt

You're right I hope I only did that once.

[B Rod]

What do you guys crack the pans on? I don't get how you so go through so many... i guess that just means I need to get lower. :D

Bingo.

[SeanDub]

What do you guys crack the pans on? I don't get how you so go through so many... i guess that just means I need to get lower. :D

The ground. lol

[Fel]

I can't say I've ever cracked my pan.... yet. But I'm not exactly low enough to warrant it. Lower than stock, that's for sure... but just bad enough to worry about scraping my lip on stuff, not the oil pan.

I'm also fairly careful about where I drive and how I drive...

I did however knock my exhaust right off, which was fun. Backed down my driveway, and the pipe hit the ground. (The pipe was a mess to begin with, it was needing to be redone but I hadn't gotten around to it... it hung like 1.5 inches above the ground.) So when the pipe hit, the hanger welded to teh top of the muffler punched right through and let go. The entire exhaust was just laying on the ground, still attached. I was like fuuuuuuuu I had to go meet someone. So I got my neighbor to help me strap it up again and off I went down the highway. I got about 10 minutes down the road (halfway between home and my destination), and boom, it drops again and I'm shooting sparks all down the highway and my pipe holds on for dear life. Pulled over and got it string up as best I could to make it the rest of the way. That was fun.

Anyways... yeah, oil pans. Aren't those a bitch...

[blue bags]

yea. the worst is when its an older road that seems smooth but its higher in the middle and sagged on the sides...very deceiving.

[87e30]

hmm. I'm pretty careful about where I go but I never scrape. And I'm lower than most e30s I see. But this is only inspiration to go lower.

And yeah duh it's the ground. Thanks. :lol:

[Tuck&Poke]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/minime686/PIC-0026.jpg

i had to raise the car 3.5in so the tow truck forks would clear, still knocked my intercooler loose

my ride height right before cracking it, static drop, i was the lane reflector assassin.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/minime686/IMG_0129.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/minime686/PIC-0028.jpg

right height now that i got wheels

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/minime686/passat02012.jpg

my sway bar has no paint and i have various dents and dings in my subframe, exhaust bracket in the middle of the car gets caught on speed bumps so the bolts holding it up are angled 45 degrees back from getting yanked, my downpipe is destroyed and now catches various objects in the middle of the road, from palm tree fronds to soda bottles and cups, and as you can see above im slowly grinding down the subframe mounting brackets. But i will never raise this shit

[SeanDub]

Nice!

[Chris@MemoryFab]

O wow i need to start taking pics:rofl

[Stan Marsh]

I took down 2 on my old MK3 GTI. I was less than .5" at my oil pan. I almost destroyed one on a raised sewer head in my old E30. It wasn't even that low but the sewer head was around 4" raised (they removed the surface from the road to resurface it) I ended up with a decent sized dent in the front of the pan.

My E30 was not low...
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/Flowpro77/wheelsside.jpg?t=1246254264

[bataangpinoy]

i need to cut my strut perches to get my e30 to sit on the pan.
before my coilovers, i was on blown shocks and cut springs. and i fractured an oil pan whilst dodging a pothole.

[akoehler]

I've only broken one, but it was through a skidplate.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3701111512_fda5b9829c.jpg

[WhiteStripes]

my ride height right before cracking it, static drop, i was the lane reflector assassin.

I've always wondered how those things would end up missing :rofl

[525iT_Feen]

Mine officially bit the dust. I've been driving the car because its not leaking yet but one more wack and its a wrap. My oil level sensor smashed to pieces as well which makes it all the more fun. Sorry about the shitty pictures. Took them with my storm without looking.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v652/206/121/74402616/n74402616_30909725_103343.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs138.snc1/5889_523245136135_74402616_30909726_7631002_n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v652/206/121/74402616/n74402616_30909725_103343.jpg

I don't think its cool to crack pans and I'm pissed I have to switch it off the other m62 I have in my driveway but I like knowing I'm one of few people in the world that can wack an e39 pan off the floor (they sit pretty high inbetween the rails). I **** boston roads. Raised man hole covers suck.

[Byron]

I took down 2 on my old MK3 GTI. I was less than .5" at my oil pan. I almost destroyed one on a raised sewer head in my old E30. It wasn't even that low but the sewer head was around 4" raised (they removed the surface from the road to resurface it) I ended up with a decent sized dent in the front of the pan.

My E30 was not low...
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/Flowpro77/wheelsside.jpg?t=1246254264

I have some bad news about your old e30 man...




The pan on my m42 is about 2" off the ground and I've never even touched it. I'm lowering the front another inch soon though, so we'll see how it does then. At least its a 2 piece pan.

[SeanDub]

I have some bad news about your old e30 man...



??

[Byron]

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs082.snc1/4759_1076870930477_1487340065_30205639_1571190_n.j pg

My friend Greg bought it and swapped an m30 into it, then a 16yo ran a stop sign as Greg was driving by.

[schroedin]

:(

[SeanDub]

Fuck.

[nyy42]

lol

[BMWWIL]

on my second pan for a m20 hit a raised manhole cover

[darkdrifter]

I've been luck thus far.
my buddy destroyed a pan when he was dumped, cast aluminum does not bend, it shatters
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/kharney83/w114166353.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/kharney83/DSC01522-1.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/kharney83/DSC01523-1.jpg

[bjh102]

just watch where you are driving and go slow :) thats my key to success.

[kev.skyline]

on my second, hair line crack, my car isnt low at all but i had fucked shocks. have some billies in there now.

[J.Owen]

Cracked mine while trying to get home in a snow storm. Big chunk of asphalt covered in ice. This was before I even lowered the car.

Oddly I've had no issues since.

[SeanDub]

Damn that pan is fucked

[schroedin]

on my second, hair line crack, my car isnt low at all but i had fucked shocks. have some billies in there now.

My shocks are fucked, oh dear. :(

[kev.skyline]

My shocks are fucked, oh dear. :(

Ive an m42 so you should be alright.

[Schieldrop]

Here's when the one on my sold M3 bit the dust.
Hit a rock that was in the middle of the road.
Got mine welded at a metal workshop nearby.
Was just fine after that, but wouldn't mind if it never happens again :D

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/perkrs/Bilde036-1.jpg

[rubadub]

I've only broken one, but it was through a skidplate.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3701111512_fda5b9829c.jpg
I love how all Mk4's have the same marks on their drive axels from the swaybars and subframe. :cool

I haven't busted mine yet. Had a CLOSE call a few weeks ago at my local bank (where I will never again go) but no holes or fractures yet. I'll keep up to date once I take the helpers out and take it down some more.

[ohiodub_99.5]

haha.... ill take pics of my pan carnage from the weekend to post up...for now this is all i got....
puddle on road...
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs132.snc1/5652_509492756212_94100542_30369111_2483973_n.jpg
getting her fixed:
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs152.snc1/5652_509516538552_94100542_30370425_8363221_n.jpg


*edit... broke the one i just replaced monday... getting a steel pan... FML
#2
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs138.snc1/5892_509581348672_94100542_30371957_127747_n.jpg
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs138.snc1/5892_509581363642_94100542_30371960_6684353_n.jpg
yes... i spun out turning in between the barrels.... ended up in the gravel shoulder..... close call

[lespaulman16]

On my third pan in the Jetta, first one had a hairline crack around the transmission edge, second one had gaping hole right in front of drain plug. I'm sitting at 24" from fender to ground (not even low). FML

[B Rod]

I hope I never have to contribute to this thread. **Knocks on wood**

[Digitalwave]

I hope I never have to contribute to this thread. **Knocks on wood**

With cut springs and how low your car is I wouldn't be surprised.

[Schieldrop]

I hope I never have to contribute to this thread. **Knocks on wood**

I for one am ready to welcome you to the club...:eyebrows

[B Rod]

With cut springs and how low your car is I wouldn't be surprised.

I'm going to be raising the engine a bit soon, so that'll help. But if Rusty can make it across country as low as it sits, I should be okay. :D

I for one am ready to welcome you to the club...:eyebrows

But I don't wanna! haha

[Schieldrop]

But I don't wanna! haha

Hehe! I fear that it'll be colateral damage even if you raise your engine.
A friend of mine has a trackday E30 M3 that sits criminally low. He likes to drive it to and from trackdays, and since norwegian roads suck ass he combated the problem by going the dry sump ruite :D

[Tuck&Poke]

whoa, i would love to do that, probably hella expensive though

[Schieldrop]

whoa, i would love to do that, probably hella expensive though

Yeah, it is, but the cost isn't the biggest issue.
I helped him getting it installed, and let me tell you it is a pain in the f**kin ass.
Cos unless you get a hold of a genuine racing item, if they even make that for the type of engine you might have, you just get a reservoir, tubes, pump, control unit, etc. And you have to set it up and make it work on your own. And fabricate your own plate to swap for the original "bucket" sump.
But on the plus side, his engine has never starved on oil since installing the dry sump, and his entire sump is now located above the crossmember.

[rubadub]

On my third pan in the Jetta, first one had a hairline crack around the transmission edge, second one had gaping hole right in front of drain plug. I'm sitting at 24" from fender to ground (not even low). FML
This has me curious. What year Jetta and what engine?

I'm still safe at 23.25...though Hillsboro Rd. nearly killed me last night during the storm. Damn construction.

[lespaulman16]

This has me curious. What year Jetta and what engine?

I'm still safe at 23.25...though Hillsboro Rd. nearly killed me last night during the storm. Damn construction.

03, Knoxville roads are notoriously bad because of incessant road construction. I busted cracked the first from tons of small impacts and the second one died because a concrete block fell off the truck in front and there was NOTHING I could do save taking out the car in the incoming lane. It destroyed my passenger side sub-frame as well :O

I'll post pics when I get around to hosting them.

[jpod999]

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1806/82/92/1279562483/n1279562483_209008_1887.jpg

Did that when I was doing some rain drifting around a roundabout. I ran out of skill and bumped into the curb. Didn't realize it was borked until about 2 minutes after than when I was a mile down the road. The stain in that parking lot is still there. I rock a skidplate now because I don't want to go through that again, luckily the M42 is 2 piece and doing the bottom one is hella easy.

[notloEnuf]

On my third pan in the Jetta, first one had a hairline crack around the transmission edge, second one had gaping hole right in front of drain plug. I'm sitting at 24" from fender to ground (not even low). FML

can you say wack ass suspension?

[BimmerDawg]

I'd prolly be on numer 15 if it weren't for my skid plate:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/BimmerDawg/Project/Skid%20Plate/DSC02613.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/BimmerDawg/Project/Skid%20Plate/DSC02611.jpg

[TRiCC]

hmmm where did you get that plate?

[curtis]

cherry popped.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3839410394_8f71c084d7.jpg

[SeanDub]

Damn Curtis, Where were you?

[BimmerDawg]

hmmm where did you get that plate?

Guy on r3v sells them. www.raceskids.com, IIRC.

[curtis]

Damn Curtis, Where were you?

off ramp, wheel dipped into the smoothed out gutter but just low enough for me to drag pan.

(i will have a stanceworks worthy photo shoot this week, stay posted :))

[SeanDub]

Who's shootin your car?

[M.Burroughs]

Crossed the muh'fuggin' country, 7k miles, without breaking mine.

WORD!

[kungPOW lo]

Crossed the muh'fuggin' country, 7k miles, without breaking mine.

WORD!

Respect

[ohiodub_99.5]

Crossed the muh'fuggin' country, 7k miles, without breaking mine.

WORD!


n00b.... ;)

[B Rod]

Noticed lots of scrapes on the bottom of mine when I was changing my oil the other day. Should be raising the motor today.

[boligrafo123]

Crossed the muh'fuggin' country, 7k miles, without breaking mine.

WORD!

We all know you raised it for the trip. :shifty

[B Rod]

Raised my motor a little over 1/2" today. I could do a little more, but as Sean pointed out, I'd be worried about the fan hitting the shroud or the hood of I raised it much higher. Hopefully that half inch will keep it a bit more out of harms way. We'll see.

[Gator]

Crossed the muh'fuggin' country, 7k miles, without breaking mine.

WORD!

do I get some respect for this as well?

[M.Burroughs]

of course.

[Stephen]

Did an oil change, some new marks since the coils :(

[jhstealth]

Has anyone on here killed a motor because of a destroyed oil pan?

[driggers.a]

Has anyone on here killed a motor because of a destroyed oil pan?

Yeah, if you break a pan and run the engine long enough with no oil pressure or low oil, your engine will most likely be toast...Shot rings, cracked rods, seized pistons...the works. If you think you've broken you're pan, pull over, turn the car off, look under. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Schieldrop]

^^ +1

[jpod999]

I'd prolly be on numer 15 if it weren't for my skid plate:



Nice to know this skidplate holds up, I have the M42 version.

[bjh102]

been hitting mine alot just recently. my pan hits the ground and i still have about 3 inches of suspension travel left :/. ill try and get it up in the air tomorrow and take some pics.

[hootie]

Beefin' this up...
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/hootiem3/lego/P1013045.jpg

For this...
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/hootiem3/lego/P1013050-1.jpg

[Oscar]

Jesus that is low. I have about 2.5" of clearance between my oil pan and ground. Scrapes a little now but I ain't worried. Skidplate soon then more low.

[SeanDub]

Has anyone on here killed a motor because of a destroyed oil pan?

So you sent parts before you received payment?

[Ficarra]

Now I've got to worry about this. I almost miss having an E36. Almost.

[Digitalwave]

You got an E30?

[Ficarra]

You got an E30?

No sir. I acquired an E24. :devillook

[Brian Fantana]

i'm 2 pans down on my bucket...
i'll have to post pics, both happened AFTER i went air :mad

[Oscar]

Hey you guys think I'll be okay.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3956804130_252ca10602_b.jpg

[Stephen]

Almost 5.5 is alot more than me. I havent hit it much at all

[hootie]

Almost 5.5 is alot more than me. I havent hit it much at all

That is 5.5 centimeters. Just over 2 inches.

You should be fine, but drive very very carefully over unknown roads.

[MikeG]

For this...
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/hootiem3/lego/P1013050-1.jpg

you know whats sad? I look at that pic and just drool over the steering rack:(

[Oscar]

That is 5.5 centimeters. Just over 2 inches.

You should be fine, but drive very very carefully over unknown roads.

Yeah got smaller tires so that's with the coils untouched. Drove around for a few days and I think I can go lower only thing is I like that there is no rake.

[Schieldrop]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/perkrs/xOIlpan.jpg

[Brian Fantana]

heading to a car show, riding too low..
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/Still_Fantana/update%20time/IMG_6179.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/Still_Fantana/update%20time/IMG_6176.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/Still_Fantana/update%20time/IMG_6181.jpg
werd.

[Byron]

Fools
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x96/e30spdfrk/the%20318/DSCI0220.jpg

[BLKonBLK98]

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc188/BLACKonBLACK98/Q45/DSCF0363.jpg

after pics coming sometime.

[TheNeek]

Fools


http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z45/m42power/PanLow2.jpg

http://blankmediagroup.com/Pictures/Mike/Client/PBMW/Nic%20E21/oilpan.jpg

[Byron]

haha ok you win. For now...

Hopefully next week my new upper spring perches will come in; I'm going another inch down after that :). Good thing m42 pans are so easy to change.

[Stephen]

Make a quick release oil pan

[M.Burroughs]

There is one. Its called the lower pan on an M42. :stickoutt

[Byron]

I have a spare and a jug of oil that I put in my trunk whenever I go on trips. 10 minute pan change ftw.

[Oscar]

You guys suck. I want to go lower but I don't want to spend hours swapping out a pan. I need a skid plate :(

[BLKonBLK98]

10 minute pan change ftw.

i'm jealous.

[Ficarra]

Worst week of my life. Everybody needs icing on their cake, right?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3997370259_9197250b29_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3998131178_a679f0e324_b.jpg

Must have done it in Chicago last night. Went out to get away from shit, relax a bit. All was lookin a little better. I woke up to this.

[hootie]

Worst week of my life. Everybody needs icing on their cake, right?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3997370259_9197250b29_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3998131178_a679f0e324_b.jpg

Must have done it in Chicago last night. Went out to get away from shit, relax a bit. All was lookin a little better. I woke up to this.

Hey phil,

If you need a hand changing it out let me know. I am down to wrench while I am at school.

With <3 from RFG,

Hootie

[B Rod]

I need to see if there's even an angle where I can take a pic of my oil pan clearence.

[ayuaddict]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/ayuaddict/103-1.jpg

so is this like a VW forum?

i feel a bit out of place.

[TheNeek]

so is this like a VW forum?

i feel a bit out of place.

When you're riding that low..... trust me.... You're in the right place.

[Oscar]

Yay it's Yuta, don't worry bro your in the right place. We needed more Japanese cars to show how it's done haha.

[Tuck&Poke]

god that car is so fucking gangster

[Hartgeh27]

i have killed at least 10 over the yrs in a bunch of e30's.

[RD408]

So I cant really get my camera in a good angle to see it, but on my Integra my oil pan is about 2finger gap from the floor. Surprised it hasnt busted open yet!

[Tuck&Poke]

thats cause u lucky bastards have steel pans, i wish mine was steel

[Byron]

+1

Cast aluminum ftl

[BLKonBLK98]

i'll take cast aluminum over a steel pan you basically have to pull the engine to replace anyday.

[Tuck&Poke]

steel bends, cast cracks

[BLKonBLK98]

word... i left out "easily replacable" cast aluminum.

and bending isn't necesarily a good thing, just ask my oil pickup.

[B Rod]

Oil pan. About 1 3/4" clearance.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b60/brodgsr/OilPan.jpg
Control arm. Less than about 1 3/4" clearance.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b60/brodgsr/ControlArm.jpg

[Byron]

I hit THE BIGGEST frost heave last night at about 90 when I switched lanes to avoid someone merging into me. Caught about a second of air and came down nose first. Took my lip completely off and ground off almost all of the cooling fins on my pan, lol. Lip got stuck under the car and got a hole ground into the corner of it.

I cannot believe the pan is still in one piece though. I've got to take some new pics when I go under there to change the mounts that blew out upon landing.

[Oscar]

Don't have pics but my oil pan was about 1 3/4" off the ground before I raised the motor up. The other day on the way home I got like a 1.5" tall rock stuck in front of the skid plate haha.

[Joe Flacco]

Im already down one pan myself. Drivin home late on night after a meet. I was on a nice windy road up near my house and hit half of a cinder block. Didnt even see it till it was too late. I was going about 45 when I hit it and dragged it all the way till i stopped.

[ApathyCSL]

Beefin' this up...
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/hootiem3/lego/P1013045.jpg

For this...
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/hootiem3/lego/P1013050-1.jpg

yo where wxactly are you bolting that skid plate up to??

[Byron]

Mine before I lowered it more and ground all the fins off after a jump.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x96/e30spdfrk/the%20318/DSCI0349.jpg

It's only a matter of time now...

[mavrsixxx]

so this is my pan after raising the coils 4 turns its a vr6 raised motor and shortend pan 1/4 in steel plate welded on the bottom



http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o49/jrproracer666/103_3894.jpg


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o49/jrproracer666/103_3895.jpg

[Speedbump]

I never hit mine. I only hit the frontbumper and behind the frontwheels on the chassis. (Audi a4 convertible on FK coils)

:)

[Go3Go]

this thread is full of lols, you guys are nuts (in a good way)

[hootie]

yo where wxactly are you bolting that skid plate up to??

2 Bolts in the back to the steering rack and 4 bolts in the front to the radiator support.

[Zack01GC]

BMW M30 pans in E24's and E28's suck. Just by looking at it, I can tell what's going to be the first thing to go when I drop it more...

[NikDev]

You should all drive 360`s, no need worry about the oilpan

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/devnik/360/DSC00211.jpg

[Leftcoaststeez]

so this is my pan after raising the coils 4 turns its a vr6 raised motor and shortend pan 1/4 in steel plate welded on the bottom



http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o49/jrproracer666/103_3894.jpg


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o49/jrproracer666/103_3895.jpg

Could this setup pan wise work on a mk4?

[mavrsixxx]

Could this setup pan wise work on a mk4?

im assuming your running a vr6? if so as long as you using a steel pan
yes it would work.

[bmw_devil]

cracked up my oil pan on the high way...

replaced the pan with a new one, new oil's + filter

it went all good for about a week..

then this happend:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/bmw_devil/th_04022009001.jpg (http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/bmw_devil/?action=view&current=04022009001.flv)


fucked up the engine..

[Leftcoaststeez]

im assuming your running a vr6? if so as long as you using a steel pan
yes it would work.

How much is it shortened and would it run the same amount of oil?

[mavrsixxx]

How much is it shortened and would it run the same amount of oil?

its shortened about 2in. you run a little less oil. although alot of people
widen there pan to make up for the shortness.
what i did to be safe is put in an oil pressure gage so i can check it, also
i needed to do a mk5 r32 pump swap because its shorter than oem
idk how long your pump is

[B Rod]

Hmmm...I haven't taken a look at mine in a while. Probably a good idea. :rofl Last time I checked, it was pretty damn scratched up, but that what before I raised the motor a bit.

[Leftcoaststeez]

its shortened about 2in. you run a little less oil. although alot of people
widen there pan to make up for the shortness.
what i did to be safe is put in an oil pressure gage so i can check it, also
i needed to do a mk5 r32 pump swap because its shorter than oem
idk how long your pump is

Good Idea Ill pm you for anymore advice thanks for the insight.

[e36rjbmw]

Just cracked my first one.
http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2479

Steel pan and lowering it more:eyebrows

+1 for those roads that have dips with raised centers. I DESTROYED the underside of my car on a dip like that before I noticed it was to late and slammed everything at like 40, I thought for sure the pan was roasted but nope
little pothole on a backroad did me in.

[crs_one]

no pics of my pan, i have gone through two of them tho lol.... bent a pickup and toasted the motor right after one of the times....

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jspeccb4/IMG_0285.jpg

and thats my tranny case.... kinda hard to se but thats the flywheel all exposed lol...

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jspeccb4/IMG_0163.jpg

and a couple of downpipes that didnt even have a chance to get dirty before destroying..... haha

[Mattphi]

I've managed not to crack a pan so far, I have an extra one in the garage just in case though

[bobbitt]

I shot sparks the other day. I was so happy about that lmao. I am so going to buy some drag blocks lol.

i get sparks but i am happy when people tell me i am spitting flames (without bee-r limiter or flamer kit of course!) :)

[340i]

so nobody at all has gone drysump to solve this problem? its expensive, but would save the dramas in the longrun.

[GermanlookT3]

Hows this... Its even got a piece of Concrete still in it! TAKE THAT ROAD! YEAH
For all us guys with e28's a guy in Portland is making skid pans for us... http://www.raceskids.com/joomla/ he told me the plates will be up at the beggining of the new year. Lots of Guys can attest to the strength of these
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6105/iphone1047.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/iphone1047.jpg/)

[geoffafa]

On the a4's it ain't the oil pan you have to worry about, its the transmission crossmember, which sits behind the front wheels.

I'm on my third, first one shattered, and a sewer drain put a whole in the second one.
heres some of the first one
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/GrYaN3413/mail-3-1.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/GrYaN3413/mail-3.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/GrYaN3413/mail-1-2.jpg
heres a pic of number 2
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/GrYaN3413/IMG00040-20090922-0042.jpg

[JVC]

I've managed not to crack a pan so far, I have an extra one in the garage just in case though

I don't have a spare, but by the look of the under side of the car, unless I drop it right on something, it will hit the subframe and a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff WAY before it hits the oil pan... glad thats one more issue I DON'T have to worry about.

[Richard_Gud.]

Man I am so glad that subaru oil pans sit so high.

[kramerbuccs24]

Man I am so glad that subaru oil pans sit so high.

crazy boxer shits

[happy]

im on number 4 :(

[simple g50]

Popped my cherry

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/la0zbb0y247/IMAG0005.jpg

[Rod Romão]

In the subject of speedbumps and other bizarre shit...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4269340871_b3a7c790bb.jpg
Although my friend's never cracked his oilpan or anything, we always end up going through one or two of those when we're cruising:
http://www.silvanalves.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/quebra-mola.jpg
http://www.atribunamt.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/quebra-molas-da-fernando-correia-19-08-09.jpg
You tell me about fucking angle when getting on those D:

[GermanlookT3]

The E28 Skidplates were finaly made... 1/8" thick and badass..

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=73572

[triggrhaapi]

You guys should dry sump your cars. That way you can still be slammed but you won't kill pans.

[slideonKais]

s13s have a swaybar to protect the oil pan.

too bad i hit a manhole cover, snapped the D brackets off the swaybar and smashed my oil pan with my swaybar.

being low rocks. i was looking for something to do with my car.

[kev.skyline]

2nd sump down, had noticed a slight seep out of it the last time i had it up on a lift. went out today and there was a large puddle of oil underneath my car. not sound.

[nameless]

ive broken about 3oil pans on my mkv gti. first 2 were just hairline cracks, third one i saw a light that said "turn car off immediately!"
i was dumb enough to lower my car after the first oil pan.

[CSBolger]

I really **** that my oil pan is as low as my spoiler.

[Split]

damn that's low.. and mine is safe for now

[minimyke]

destroyed one in the MINI crossing an unfamiliar intersection. The fckn pan and gasket were 5 bills from the stealership. Working on raising the motor to save oil pans and cv's :D

[slocar]

Popped my cherry

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/la0zbb0y247/IMAG0005.jpg
Damn, what the hell did you run over? No offense, but car looks high as shit in that pic, so I'm a little confused.

[JUAN H.]

i havent cracked mine yet,,,but i sure do get owned when i go over road reflecktors lol...

[simple g50]

Damn, what the hell did you run over? No offense, but car looks high as shit in that pic, so I'm a little confused.

Yea that pic does not do justice on how slammed my car is. My oil pan sits about 1.5" off the ground.

[The.Chase]

Cracked my pan through my skid plate when I had my mk4.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/watgolf/Caro/DSC_0013-2.jpg

[glasswars]

The other day I broke my oil filter open! Not my pan, it sits too high, where as the filter sits 1-2 inches lower. Huge dip in the road, and then went back up too fast. Smashhhhh.

[Tuck&Poke]

The other day I broke my oil filter open! Not my pan, it sits too high, where as the filter sits 1-2 inches lower. Huge dip in the road, and then went back up too fast. Smashhhhh.

those dips are lethal, thats exactly how i smashed mine

[hinrichs]

mk4 gli - had an inch to the pan when i was sitting on my control arms
mk3 2.0 rubbed through like 4 but they are $21 a piece
mk3 vr6 rubbed throught about 6 which sucks at 150 something a piece, vr pans are as low as the vr lip....

my buddy did the mk5 r pump and pan which lasted a week, rubbed through it

[Bimmerteck]

so nobody at all has gone drysump to solve this problem? its expensive, but would save the dramas in the longrun.

I'm going dry sump with my current swap, but it is not just so I can go low, It's more about the consistent oil pressure and it's more than a little expensive, it will be close to $5.5k by the time my setup is ready to roll.
For those wondering what goes into a proper dry sump system I've listed the components I'm using on my car below.

$2200- 4 stage pump, bracket, belt drive, belts and new crank pulley/harmonic dampner from VAC

$450- Block off plate for oil housing from VAC

$700 Dry-sump oilpan from ARE

$480- AN fittings $20x24 from summit racing

$400-800 assorted Hose for AN fittings from summit racing

$150- Oil cooler from Summit Racing

$600- 2 gallon oil sump from Peterson

$300- breathers, inline filters, bulkhead connectors ect.

so yeah around $5500 for those who are wondering what "expensive" is.

But that's only around 9 of my oilpans by the time you factor in oil/gaskets and that's with me doing all the labor.

after a half dozen oilpans on my old corrado I wish I had dry sumped my cars earlier. :D

Erik

[glasswars]

those dips are lethal, thats exactly how i smashed mine

Yeah man and it was from a construction zone too. Thanks to the town for cleaning that up. :rolleyes Whatever. Btw, your car is so sick!

[Tuck&Poke]

Yeah man and it was from a construction zone too. Thanks to the town for cleaning that up. :rolleyes Whatever. Btw, your car is so sick!

thank you sir, you have one of few neons that i like :)

[itsbrokeagain]

this thread is full of win.


Do I dare say I can't wait to join the crew??

[Byron]

You can kind of see mine in this pic. The lip is a little less than a phone off the ground if that helps visualize it at all. Going an inch and a half lower too :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/4513306512_5ef0e9f53c_b.jpg

[Noi5eB0mb]

Well , i don't know if this has been said before , but have you guys ever thought of a dry sump system? xD

[Anonymoose]

Ok heres something about finnish speedbumps also known as Oilpan killers:

low&small one under my car..
http://robi.1g.fi/kuvat/Kaikkee/IMG_0562.JPG/_smaller.jpg

And heres the main killer... 70mm high (and over max 80mm) and i can't go over these with out scrubing something either plastic or exhaust..
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2711/speedbump.jpg

Your lucky!!!! Take a look at this shh...100mm+ yo

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23579309-london-speed-humps-so-large-they-break-law.do

I even met a guy who had a website against them and had petitions going to get various ones removed, ABD speed humps or something, legendary

[OrganicMechanic]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4512718132_52b6d5c6c2.jpg

[Tuck&Poke]

Well , i don't know if this has been said before , but have you guys ever thought of a dry sump system? xD

its extremely expensive and labor intensive. Id rather bust a few pans than pay for dry sump

[Walnuts]

Haven't broken it yet thank god for steel pans. Still need to replace it though probably going to do it when I need my next oil change.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs484.snc3/26470_385484630674_707120674_3794199_2500485_n.jpg

[sethum]

my frame rails have no undercoating on it either, i rub frame on everything.

[smokedvr6]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs017.snc4/34196_597139440839_22800178_34332736_8333262_n.jpg

<3 my skidplate.

[Team_Gileto]

you guys got me scared, *runs to homedepot to make a skid plate*

[FreshLikeSushi]

i raised my engine up 3/4 of an inch so the subframe would hit only. few dents in teh subframe later, and its still going

[firelizard]

Current owner of my old car finally suffered the oil pan destruction at the mercy of a particularly bad manhole cover.

Sucks, I've been meaning to find him a new one to make it easier on him.

[Ms. Tasty]

3 pans, 2 pumps, 1 pump driveshaft....oh 2 skidplates.

[Marxtin]

BMW M30 pans in E24's and E28's suck. Just by looking at it, I can tell what's going to be the first thing to go when I drop it more...

i have a friend who drives an m6 you model and his oil pan has cracked.....at least once a month

jb weld is ur friend lol

[TheNeek]

BP ain't got $#!T on StanceWorks!

[Iscrape]

BP ain't got $#!T on StanceWorks!

hahahah:rofl i like that :alright
sig status:D

[benz88]

I cant drag oil pan, it sits higher then my crossmember on the lincoln. So i drag the cross member and the cats.
one of my cats shields. came off in a lot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/benz88/IMG00264.jpg

bad pic but the Cmember is about 2.5" off the ground
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/benz88/DSC01754.jpg

[disconnecktie]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs062.snc4/34455_1404227623047_1153050277_31308572_1830260_n. jpg

ripped through my first one a few weeks ago! skid plate is next on the list after seeing what tore through it...
does anyone want to trade me their 16's? : )

[benz88]

This is my crossmember, The bolts have been worn down atleast 1/4" the bars used the be round to the mounts too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/benz88/IMG00066.jpg

[Beanzermin]

popped my cherry, jb welded and hoped for the best.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t157/beanzermin/2763cfb0.jpg

2nd time decided to weld the crack and jb weld for insurance, and add skid plate.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t157/beanzermin/436fd509.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t157/beanzermin/e568c516.jpg

ground clearance. i cant push the skid plate up anymore. you can barely fit a finger between the pan and skid plate.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t157/beanzermin/c169d4a5.jpg

[dfreshx00]

since i have an e36, we all know frame scrapes everything.

BUT, i do have multiple scratches on the grooves on the pan behind the chassis bar/brace. raised~1mm today for spacers, so thats not a factor anymore.

[James Q]

This si a sick thread! i have been lucky so far!

[WarShrike]

My pan actually looked like Walnuts' pan at STOCK ride height on my Firebird. I hammered out the majority of the dents during my engine rebuild. I'm maybe 3/4" lower and that's as low as I'll go here in Lubbock. I will just barely scrape my longtubes coming out of my driveway with a passenger.

Oil pump is actually centered around the crankshaft, so I don't have to worry about ruining any of that.

I also have a new tubular k-member that offers a little more clearance, but not quite as much protection. Nothing like losing 50 lbs of dead weight off the nose of a car :)
I'll be contemplating doing a full flat belly pan for the car after I finish school. Car will be going through an engine swap then and turbocharged :)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a141/WarShrike/Teardown/100_0828.jpg

[DutchM3S50]

Its plastic lip.. but the automatic tranny slamed the ground several times (clearance 3cm)

Ex ride of my girl.. Jetta MK2
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp119/Doridaan/Afb0363.jpg
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp119/Doridaan/Afb0361.jpg
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp119/Doridaan/Afb0359.jpg

[Prime]

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/8884/photo4un.jpg

Crack fixed and plated for more carnage.

[Byron]

I love my m60 pan- Not only is it steel, but it's one of the highest things on the front of the car now. I still smash steering rack though

[skrapez]

ive never broken a pan.... and ive bottomed out the pinchwelds on my old mk3 till they were flat and then lowered it more because i had more clearence

on 16" rota slips lol

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k137/milkma188/slammed005.jpg