11 replies to this topic

[RallyRed]

Hi,
Just interested in people's thoughts on these.
Both for start up protection, and oil surge protection.
All versus, the additional complexity and number of possible failure points.
And, ...assuming the engine already has a gated and baffled sump.
TIA

https://youtu.be/vyaGoj60A6s

Edited by RallyRed, 23 June 2019 - 07:21 PM.

[ozyozyozy]

They def have there benefits.
Guess depends what your doing with the car like most aspects.
Know a few people that have used them, some for the wrong reason, some not setup correctly and on some cars it didnt resolve the actual issue that was going on.

Sump design is critical.. if your having oil starvation issues from a poor serup an accummulator is just a bandaid fix, may prolong life only slightly more.

Certainly for cold startup they would be awesome, nothing worse than pounding bearings with no oil pressure and high compression on initial start up of a cold engine.

If circuit racing, dry sump is the only way.

[Oversteer]

They are not really a solution for oil starvation issues for the simple fact that once the pump sucks air/aerated oil its only path out is via your bearings, accumulator or not.

[RallyRed]

Thanks gents, both are similar to my thoughts.

 

I am no engine guru at all, but I see that the ability to have instant psi oil pressure, as you crank it over, coupled with a seamless (temporary) "second oil pump", for any short term starvation issue is all a bonus. 

Of course, a well designed engine/sump/pump doesnt need this. 

 

Downside being extra hoses, fittings, and weight.

 

If an accumulator was essential, then every race car  in the world would have one....or...they would be sitting on the side of the track smouldering....

[Rockoz]

Was it on here?

Im not sure.

But did see one fitted to a car, and the reasoning was to increase the oil capacity.

Which in turn increases the interval between oil changes.

My VE SS had a huge oil capacity, and the service interval was extended in line with that.

[RallyRed]

yeah, you do see them on a few track cars.

[ozyozyozy]

Rockoz, to use one to increase oil capacity is dumb and pointless, far better just running an oil cooler which all track cars should have.
most of the aftermarket engine oil cooler kits have too small a cooler to be properly effective.
Cant beat a properly setup dry sump system, the extra weight of hoses is insignificant to the benefits to the engine.

[rodomo]

This car was built by one forum member who raced it for a while then sold it to another forum member. View vid from 10.18 and at 10.38 you can see the accumulator where the heater box normally is.

[Rockoz]

Rockoz, to use one to increase oil capacity is dumb and pointless, far better just running an oil cooler which all track cars should have.
most of the aftermarket engine oil cooler kits have too small a cooler to be properly effective.
Cant beat a properly setup dry sump system, the extra weight of hoses is insignificant to the benefits to the engine.

 

Dont shoot the messenger.

But.

Extra oil capacity does extend oil life. It might be cheaper and/or easier than increasing sump capacity.

 

Of course, at the end of the day the dry sump wins in the end.

The accumulator didnt interest me much so I only had a quick glance at it. But think it held another 3 or 4 litres.

Have come across them in mining machinery on the hydraulic circuit, but as an electrician I again didnt look into it.

Just needed to be aware of it as its function could potentially injure or kill.

Doubt an engine one would be the same, I reckon accumulated pressure wouldnt be able to be achieved once the engine shut down.

 

On the subject of coolers though, you seem to know your stuff a lot more than me, what size oil cooler would you consider adequate. LS1 with a few track days in mind. Already looking at baffles

[ozyozyozy]

Rockoz
Sorry im not trying to shoot the messenger.
Yes more oil will help but the reason oil degrades is from heat and contamination.
By keeping oil at an ideal temp, having good filters and an oil system that sends 100% of oil through the filter helps massively.

As for oil cooler, A good starting point for a stock to mild v8 is, earls oil cooler approx 10.5in by 9inch core size.
If possible, room permitting, using a thermostat on the oil cooler aswell.
Packaging is always an issue when setting up on oil cooler, its a struggle on some cars to fit decent size coolers.

There are oil to water cooler kits available, these allow faster oil warm up(great for engines) then cooling when hot also.

Peterson make a remote filter head that has a primer mechanism built in, simple use of a drill can prime the engine before startup.