Holley 302-1 Oil Pan

[Perkster029]

Hello all!

After a long winter hibernation, the 'Rona has given me some free time off of work. Woo!

SO, first order of business: has anyone used a Holley 302-1 oil pan? It's 5.89" deep at its tallest, which is about an inch taller than the "batwing" I've read so much about.

I measure 4" from ground to oilpan, almost exact. I thought it would be shallow enough, plus it came with the engine when I bought it from Pace, but I'm mayyybe having second thoughts now that I've got everything put together. Does that extra inch of clearance (if I used the batwing) help that much? Has anyone used this Holley 302-1 or similar height oil pan?

Note: This car will definitely see some street use, with a little bit of abuse on autocross (and maybe I'll find a track somewhere on occasion).

Edit: I have the Mendeola transaxle

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[beeman]

Which gearbox and adapter are you using? With my g96, the Kennedy adapter plate is the lowest part of my drivetrain. I currently have the GM ls3 oil pan installed. I have a batwing pan on another engine in my shop but know I can't drop things any lower anyways due to the adapter plate...

[Perkster029]

Good question! Forgot to mention I have the Mendeola (no adapter). Edited first post to add

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

I sure wouldn't use it. That's going to put your oil pan over an inch and a half lower than the chassis. Looks like the typical "Corvette" depth oil pan is 4.75"....and it already hangs down about 3/8" below the chassis. How much clearance is your oil pan going to have with the suspension at full compression? Any?

[Perkster029]

Yeah, that's what I started thinking when I was looking at it. Looks like they're goin for about $800 bucks online.

Sigh.. looks like I get to pull everything off the car again! I'm actually pretty good at it by now.

[jamesfr58]

I had to change my oil pan to get it back up into the frame, the one that can with the create engine hung down under the frame. I am using a Porsche G96 transmission with a Kennedy adapter plate as Beeman and the adapter plate is now the lowest item in the engine bay. I would not use the Holly oil pan as it will hang down below the frame. Here is what my before and after looks like after changing the oil pan.

Before change

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After oil pan change

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[Shoeless]

My LS3 and Mendeola Stage 2 setup has the oil pan about 3/8" below the frame, and only at the oil drain plug and at the rear of the pan. I'm even going to run the under cage skid system.

[Perkster029]

Yup. So, I spent the day tearing it all apart. I've got the exhaust off, transaxle off, and clutch + flywheel all off. Thought I'd give it a shot at removing the oil pan while it's on the car, but the pickup tube is in the way. Shucks.

I found a local guy with a new batwing pan for like $700, so hopefully in 1-2 more days of work I can lift the engine a wee bit, swap the oil pan out, and reassemble it all.


My LS3 and Mendeola Stage 2 setup has the oil pan about 3/8" below the frame, and only at the oil drain plug and at the rear of the pan. I'm even going to run the under cage skid system.

We may have found the same skid setup! Is it a black nylon of like 8 different pieces that goes along the frame? My thought was if the oil pan sits about 3/8" below, hopefully that skid system will completely protect it!

[Shoeless]

Hey Ryan,

Yup that’s the one. I picked mine up second hand from someone that didn’t install it.

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

Yup. So, I spent the day tearing it all apart. I've got the exhaust off, transaxle off, and clutch + flywheel all off. Thought I'd give it a shot at removing the oil pan while it's on the car, but the pickup tube is in the way. Shucks.

I found a local guy with a new batwing pan for like $700, so hopefully in 1-2 more days of work I can lift the engine a wee bit, swap the oil pan out, and reassemble it all.



We may have found the same skid setup! Is it a black nylon of like 8 different pieces that goes along the frame? My thought was if the oil pan sits about 3/8" below, hopefully that skid system will completely protect it!


Don't forget that while swapping the pan, you'll also have to swap the oil pickup tube and possibly the windage tray to match?

[Perkster029]

Good point, thanks Shane!

This long weekend (Thurs-Sat) I tore it all apart - exhaust, halfshafts, transaxle, sigh - and replaced the oil pan.

Fun fact, you CAN change the oil pan with the engine still in the car, just need to make some Official GTM Engine Spacers (TM).
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There's barely not enough room to remove the old oilpan and pickup tube without this little bit of extra clearance. New matching pickup tube needed, windage tray okay to leave.
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We're good to go!

[Shoeless]

Thats a heck of a weekend Ryan. I had a scare that I might have to tear everything apart this past weekend myself, but I think I have my issue addressed.

[jamesfr58]

Looks good Ryan that should work. Changed mine is somewhat the same way, was real tight but got the job done.