Re: Tech Question: Why no dry sump in production vehicles?

[Godfrey DiGiorgi <ramarren@domain.elided>]

Porsche 911s have all been dry-sump motors since the beginning of their 
line. 

The reasons why you don't see many dry sump motors in road-going cars 
have to do with both money and reliability/repair. A dry sump motor 
requires more pieces (two part oil pump, one for pressure and one for 
scavenge) plus the connections/hoses/reservoir components. All that costs 
money and space to put them, which can increase the cost of the car 
significantly. Plus, any connections which route engine fluids are 
potential sources of failure which shows up as warranty cost and cost of 
service items. 

For road going use, there's little practical advantage to a dry sump 
design that would offset the increased costs and service requirements. 
There are a lot of other things that the manufacturer can spend money on 
that provide much greater benefits for the same cost.

Godfrey

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