Do I need a different oil pan?

[5150]

Getting ready to install an LS in my 87 squarebody. Not sure if I can get away with using this oil pan. Truck is lowered 5/7. In my 71 burb I had to change the pan, but wanted to ask before I sit it down inside the truck.

[ls1nova71]

It's most likely going to hang down just as much in an '87 as it would have in your '71. If the truck wasn't lowered it would be fine, but since it is, I would at least consider the GM muscle car pan as they're dirt cheap and with the right mounts should put the bottom flush with the crossmember.

[racecougar]

Depends on the tire size you run, what engine mounts you use, what ground clearance you're comfortable with, etc. It will sit an inch or two below the bottom of the engine crossmember.

[BR3W CITY]

IMO with most the setups guys on here are running, you'll want to replace it unless its a stock height truck.

[mongocanfly]

my engine came from a escalade and I'm using the stock LS pan in my non lowered 81....its exactly the same level as my crossmember...doesn't hang below it..

[72MARIO]

I would say you definitely need a shorter pan.

[68c10airstream]

My 5.3 in my 68 sits about 1/2" above the crossmember using a "F" body oil pan (98-02) and the sump is still above the bottom of the crossmember. I used the organ donor 2001 ls mounts and made my own mount brackets to get the engine as low and to the rear as possible. I like to fab things up sometimes. The bottom of the "F" body oil pan is basically at the same plane as my 4l65e oil pan is.

I believe using dirty dingo adapters and 68 style mounts position tilt the motor up in the front from what i can tell looking at many install photos. Nothing wrong with it but my objective was to get it low and rearward with some fab work. The f body pan is the thinnest of any pan out there at i believe 1.25". My steering center link in the straight ahead position is so close i can barely get my pinky between it and the oil pan.

Sticking my head under the front bumper and looking rearward i have no low hanging fruit, even my exhaust is tucked up including my exhaust "X".

[5150]

These are the mounts I will be using.

[Steve Cole]

I would say you need a shorter pan. I went with the CTS-V pan. Improved Racing has the best price on the complete pan swap.

BTW... those headers look awesome! What are they????

[5150]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

I would say you need a shorter pan. I went with the CTS-V pan. Improved Racing has the best price on the complete pan swap.

BTW... those headers look awesome! What are they????

Found them on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/C-10-LS-Chev...53.m1438.l2649

[5150]

Can you guys post a link to a pan that will work? Do the muscle car pans work? I can't tell if they are any different than the the pan I have on it now.

[72MARIO]

In my build thread all the part numbers are listed

[1957 Chief]

Like others have said, change that pan. My son's truck had that pan with a 5/7 drop. he scraped it a few times...and I was always concerned. Better do it now while its easy. Once its in the truck its won't be.

Bubba

[Green67Stepper]

Bryan, with as low as your squarebody is, i'd get a new pan. I've got the GM Muscle Car pan from Jegs for $200. The Holley pan is nice too for $300.

[Steve Cole]

The muscle car pan is only .75" shorter than the truck pan. Not worth the expense in my opinion. The CTS-V or the F-Body is a much better option.

[67LS3GMC]

Like some others have said the CTS-V works best. - Part Numbers -

Oil pan:
12631828
Pickup tube:
12621299
Windage tray:
12611129
Dip stick:
12584737
Dip stick tube:
12584738
Pickup tube o-ring:
12557752
Gasket:
12612350

[mcbassin]

Has anyone used this kit from Summit racing?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-19212593

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Has anyone used this kit from Summit racing?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-19212593

That's the GM muscle car pan I mentioned at the beginning of this thread. I have used it and it is just about even with the crossmember.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

That's the GM muscle car pan I mentioned at the beginning of this thread. I have used it and it is just about even with the crossmember.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

What motor mounts did you use on your swaps? I am using the clamshell style with mine. Right now my pan hangs below the crossmember about 1-3/4- 2".

[ls1nova71]

I made my own mounts, so that a truck pan is only about an inch below the crossmember, which put the muscle car pan flush. If you're that far below ir, then the muscle car pan may still hang down 3/4" or so.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

I made my own mounts, so that a truck pan is only about an inch below the crossmember, which put the muscle car pan flush. If you're that far below ir, then the muscle car pan may still hang down 3/4" or so.

Yep, I measured it today. I'm going to bite the bullet and buy the CTS pan setup. Damn, I wasn't wanting to drop that much cash on an oil pan. I've bought complete engines for less....
thanks for the help.

[verdell]

The F-body oil pan is currently $179.00 at Advance Auto. I plan on starting my swap when I return from Pigeon Forge the weekend and this is the pan I'm using. Keep in mind, this is just the bare pan but I think the price is pretty close to or cheaper than a CTS-V. The muscle car maybe cheaper but the F-body GMP77A is shorter. I know a couple of guys with '87 LS short beds and I think the stock pan is absolutely to low for a lowered truck.

[5150]

Don't get suckered into a lower price with just the pan. You're going to need the pickup tube and windage tray. Some times you can modify your current windage tray.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 5150

Don't get suckered into a lower price with just the pan. You're going to need the pickup tube and windage tray. Some times you can modify your current windage tray.

From my research the windage tray is the same for the truck and the CTSV.
Is that not the case?

[StingRay]

That's my understanding. There is a change up number on the tray somewhere along the line but when I bought my CTSV parts which are not installed yet I didn't buy the tray expecting I'll use my truck one.