Wet Sump vs Dry Sump Oil Systems: Pros And Cons
Your vehicle’s oil system is what lubricates the engine. It does this by pumping oil from the sump through the engine’s oil channels. Now the way in which it does this depends on whether it is a wet or dry sump system. Ever wonder what a sump is? A sump, by definition, is a low space that collects liquids. The word originated from the German word sumpf, which meant swamp, or low area that collects water.
In this blog we will go through the differences between the wet and dry sump systems, and what they mean for your vehicle.
Wet Sump System
A wet sump system is where the oil is stored in a large sump or oil pan underneath the engine. A pump circulates the oil around the engine. The oil returns to the sump after it leaves the oil passageways. Benefits of a wet sump system include:
- Fewer moving parts and lighter overall weight
- Lower production cost
- Well-suited for daily driving use
- Low maintenance
Dry Sump System
A dry sump system will have a smaller oil pan, with a large external oil storage reservoir. It has two or more pumps circulating the oil around the engine. These are the benefits of a dry sump system:
- Prevents oil starvation in extreme driving conditions
- Maintains consistent oil pressure
- Larger oil capacity
- Well-suited for performance and race use
Which System Is Best For You?
The vast majority of road cars use a wet sump system. It offers the perfect mix of pricing and performance. And delivers the right amount of lubrication in any daily driving situation. A wet sump system’s lower complexity and cost also leads to more reasonable running costs over time.
Dry sump systems are most often found in very high-performance sports cars and race cars. This is because the sustained g-forces in fast corners and under hard braking can starve a wet sump engine of oil. The external oil reservoir and multiple pumps of a dry sump system ensure that the oil is always where it needs to be.
If you are building a high-powered race car, a dry sump system should be on your shopping list. For just about every other usage scenario – even for high-horsepower road cars – a wet sump system is a better bet.
Oil Pans From Karl Kustoms
Take a look at some of the most popular oil pans we stock:
Karl Kustoms Has The Perfect Oil Pan For Your Car
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If you are looking for the perfect oil pan components for your vehicle, we have it. We have everything from upgraded aftermarket oil pans for LS swaps to Chevy drag race oil pan pumps.
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