Dry Sumping - High or Low Tower???

[bl0498]

Guys,

 

I have a latest spec EU3 1.6k supersport engine with the purple dry sump scavenge pump attached sat in the garage waiting to be fitted. The dry sump bellhousing I have has a flat cover plate with the oil filler point and two tapped holes. I was somewhat surprised when I saw this arrangement as when I have seen a dry sumped K series before they have always had the high tower. Spoke to Caterham and they said I didn't need the high tower - but I could fit it and it would have a net cost (swapping pipes etc) of approx £120.

 

Given that I upgraded the spec of the car to dry sumping from an Apollo oil/air separator tank and the car will be used for hillclimbing and sprinting and will be upgraded to throttle bodies et al in the not too distant future when funds and the wife's memory permit is this upgrade worthwhile?? What technically do I get for the dosh - apart from a dipstick!

 

Many thanks,

 

Brian

 

[Mike Bees]

The original Caterham K dry sump system came with the purple pump and no tower, so you don't *need* the tower in your case. It's a good thing to have though, because it seperates the oil from the air as it's blasted into the tank from the pump. This has the effect of increasing the oil capacity which isn't a bad thing. If you ever upgrade to the gold pump then you will need the tower (ask me, Caterham supplied me with all the bits for the upgrade except the tower of which I knew nothing - the result was oil sprayed around all over the inside of the engine bay and an almost empty tank, not fun with a newly rebuilt engine!).

 

Mike

[bl0498]

Mike,

 

Thanks for that. Caterham tell me that my engine, for some reason (oilways etc???) cannot run with the gold pump - but I am still inclined to upgrade to the high tower.

 

Best Regards,

 

Brian

[Mike Bees]

Brian,

 

I don't know why you shouldn't be able to run the gold pump. The 'normal' setup with the gold pump is to block off the cam cover breathers (easy if you're running throttle bodies) and run the engine in a partial vacuum, but I know people who run the gold pump and let the head 'breathe'. Unless you're planning to use 8000rpm for prolonged periods then the purple pump should be OK, and it doesn't cluck like a chicken at idle like the gold one does...

 

Mike