5.3 Swap Oil Pan - CTS-V or Holley?

[Mattchu60]

I have been reading a lot about the different oil pans to use - I'm putting a 5.3 into my lowered 87' C10 soon. I was considering doing the F-Body pan - but I started reading that the sump area was so long it could cause issues with the engine mounting position as it may hit the crossmember if not back far enough.

It looks like better options may be the CTS-V pan or the Holley pan. CTS-V is cheaper for just a pan, but when you throw in the dipstick, windage tray, pickup and pan - its coming close to the price of the Holley pan.

Is there a reason to get one over the other? My gut says go with the CTS pan as its a GM pan on a GM motor and it'll bolt right up without any issue.

Thoughts? Am I over-thinking this? Should I still consider the F-Body pan?

[1957 Chief]

CTS-V pan. I was where you are at now, and I went with the CTS-V. Zero regrets.

Bubba

[Mattchu60]

Thanks for the reply! Did you find you had to buy everything - dipstick, windage tray, etc?

[mongocanfly]

You might even look at a c6 pan...http://www.improvedracing.com/tech/L...dimensions.php

[1971Stepside]

Don’t need the wind age tray. I just installed my CTSV pan yesterday.

[dayj1]

Originally Posted by Mattchu60

Is there a reason to get one over the other?

Either one will work fine. I'd probably go with the CTSV pan simply due to cost.
When you compare costs, don't forget that the Holley pan doesn't come with a dipstick or gasket. The CTSV pan can be picked up with dipstick, pickup, and windage tray in the $150 range if you watch eBay for a while.

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by Mattchu60

Thanks for the reply! Did you find you had to buy everything - dipstick, windage tray, etc?

All I needed was the pan, and dipstick/tube. Windage tray was the same.

Bubba

[Mattchu60]

Thanks all for the responses - I ended up ordering a new CTS-V pan today.

[DaHos]

Anyone have the part# for the dipstick/tube assembly for the CTS-V pan?

[1971Stepside]

Tube Part No. 12584738
Dipstick Part No. 12584737
Pan Part No. 12631828 (comes with gasket and bolts)
Windage Tray Part No. 12611129 (don't have to buy this)
Pickup Tube Part No. 12621299 (comes with o-ring)

[Daaaanz67]

I run the CTSV pan and the pick up tube, but still use the truck windage tray and truck dipstick/tube assembly. I just make a mental note where the oil level is full based on the pan capacity. You could also scribe a line on the dipstick for your reference. Just saving a few bucks.

[Tork?]

For reference...

HOLLEY MUSCLE CAR PAN



FBODY PAN



CTSV PAN



GM PERFORMANCE/H3 PAN

[Mr_Rich]

I think the real trick is to get the right combo of parts for the engine you're using. I installed an LS6 in place of the LS1 in my '98 Firebird. The LS6 crate engine I bought was the CTS/V version and I had a lot of parts I couldn't use on my Firebird like the water pump, oil pan, and dual diaphragm clutch. Parts like the oil dipstick tube go into the block but aren't compatible with the exhaust manifolds and AIR tubes like my '98.

[UniqueOdyssey68]

CTS-V pan is a good option if you get all the pieces you need.

I just did a pan swap, learned it depends on many factors already mentioned, plus how much front drop you have, ground clearance w/front cross member, and if you're looking for a simple swap or are ok gathering up all the pan pieces.

I have a mild 3.5-4 inch drop, 60 series tires, but still didn't feel comfortable with the pan hanging below the x-member at all. Took a lot of measurements, and research on here. Went with the GMPP "H3/hot rod/muscle car" pan kit. $200 shipped fast to door from Summit (plus I got them to throw in some swag . Comes with everything needed, simple easy swap. Hangs down even with cross-member, plenty of ground clearance, clears top of cross-member with room to slide fingers underneath.
Keep in mind any bolt holes on pan that may or may not line up with your tranny bellhousing bolt holes. 1 didn't on mine, but I'm ok with that, others bolted up fine.
See pic -
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1538174949

Hope that CTS pan works well!