How Rules Can Spark Innovation: Wet Sumps [TECH BYTE]

When it comes to lubrication for race engines, a dry-sump is undoubtedly the best choice, however some times rules or budget means it’s not an option.
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This is the situation Mountune faced when developing the Subaru FA20 engine for use in the British Touring Car Championship where the rules required retaining the factory wet sump.
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To give the best chance of being able to provide a high pressure supply of oil, a clever moving pickup is used. This swings inside the sump in response to the lateral and longitudinal g forces the car is being subjected to, meaning that it essentially follows the oil around the sump.
To prevent the oil running away from the pickup a baffle plate is used that incorporates rubber trap doors which allow oil to flow into the sump, but then close to prevent oil sloshing back out.
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This setup was a solution to 90% of the FA20’s oiling issues on track, however it was also backed up with an Accusump to give the engine the best chance possible of surviving.

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