Hello,
First up, sorry if I have posted this in the wrong section as I am new to the forum. I thought I might post up some pictures of my dry sump that I have made for my project for anyone iterested in this type of thing.
Currently I am fitting a 2001 S60 T5 engine to a 1982 BMW 323i and mated to a getrag 6 speed transmission. I know that converting the 5 cylinder engine to RWD is nothing new, but the problem I was faced with was geting the engine low enough and having the sump clear the steering rack which sits behind the crossmember. Most conversions of this type use a shortened 960 sump, however it's large reservoir doesn't fit my space. Modifying it to front sump didn't appeal to me as it seemed to create a few clearance and pick up issues as well, but I guess it could have been done.
After much googling and questioning I could not find anyone who produced a dry sump pan or who had successfully created one (except for TWR for there super tourer). There was only one I found from a guy in the UK who fabbed one up out of plate and sheet, but I never found anymore info on it being successfully fitted anywhere.
So, here is what I have created. I made a pattern which I had a foundary sand cast in aluminium then had it
machined at a local engineering shop. It was a lot of work to say the least and would have been a very expensive paperweight if it didn't fit, but thankfully it lined up perfectly. It's designed to use an external 2 stage scavenge pump and use the internal pump for pressure, however it is easily configured to use an external pressure stage if I want to. I also have a IJ crank scraper/windage tray fitted hence the v shape in the pan for clearance.
No, I have not tested it so it could still turn out to be an expensive exercise, but I am very confident in the design and believe that it will be successful.
Anyhow, here are the pictures and I hope it gives inspiration to anyone else that has ever considered doing a T5 dry sump. I built the plug in my garden shed with basic tools and a bit of imagination and then found the people with the appropriate skill to complete the steps that I couldn't, so I reckon anyone could do the same.