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Oil starvation during high g-force turns and heavy braking (i.e. auto-x and road racing) is a common problem for the E36 M3 and regular 3-series.
The best solution for oil starvation is to install the oil pan and oil pump (which has a dual pick-up tube) that was used on the 1995 M3 LTW/GT, however the parts alone are approximately $1500!
Another alternative is a custom baffle kit produced by Turner Motorsport that can be installed in the factory oil pan (Turner actually uses these custom baffles for their race cars).
The cost of this kit is much less expensive than the LTW/GT pan and pump option at only $300 (at the time of this write up), but is still a little expensive for what the kit actually contains.
A custom oil pan baffle kit based on the Turner Motorsport kit was fabricated for only $100 in parts, and was installed when the oil pan was already off the car while checking for a loose oil pump nut.
UPDATE: This modification was done way before the VAC Motorsports oil pan baffle kit was available, and their kit would actually be an easier and cleaner option at only $200. The Turner Motorsport baffle kit has also come down to $200.
Click on image to view a larger version |
OEM M3 3.0L Oil Pan
Here is the inside of the OEM M3 3.0L oil pan.
You can see that it already has a built-in baffle, but it does not provide enough flow control by itself to prevent oil starvation in high g-force turns.
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Turner Motorsport Oil Pan Baffle Kit
Here is Turner Motorsport's oil pan baffle kit.
The kit contains three pieces of aluminum cut to the necessary shapes, and three one-way flow gates that are a factory part in the E30 M3 oil pan.
This kit is a little expensive for what it actually contains, but you also get the research, development, and customer support that Turner Motorsport provides. |
Click on image to view additional detailed photos
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Click on image to view additional detailed photos |
Built-in Baffle Removal
The oil pan's built-in baffle must be removed to create templates for the custom baffles.
This is done by drilling out the permanent mounting point just enough to break the baffle free from the pan.
The baffle will be welded back in place once the custom baffles are added.
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Custom Baffle Templates
With the original baffle removed, templates of the custom baffles are made from card stock using the photo of Turner's kit as reference.
The card stock templates are easily trimmed for fitment and clearance. |
Click on image to view additional detailed photos
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Click on image to view additional detailed photos |
Custom Baffles Fabricated
Once the templates are complete and checked for proper fitment, they are then traced onto 2mm thick aluminum sheet.
The baffles are then cut out from the aluminum sheet, trimmed and formed for final fitment, and then the oil passage holes and slots to mount the one-way flow gates are cut out.
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One-way Flow Gates Installed
The one-way flow gates are installed into the custom baffles as well as on the oil pan's original built-in baffle (Turner's kit does not add this fourth flow gate).
These one-way flow gates are a factory part in the E30 M3 oil pan (BMW calls it a "Non Return Flap").
BMW Flow Gate Part#: 11 13 1 309 428 |
Click on image to view additional detailed photos
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Click on image to view additional detailed photos |
Baffles Welded Into Oil Pan
All of the baffles are test fit into the oil pan for final fitment and then everything is permanently welded into place at a fabrication shop.
Special care is taken during welding so as not to damage the rubber one-way flow gates.
The oil pan is then cleaned thoroughly and installed.
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