81Rex6port13b

hey

i was just looking at Rex4Life's "The Chronicles of a Turbo II Swap" and i saw how he did his oil return line.

i need to do mine, and was thinking about different ways to do this. i realy like how clean his came out. and i might see if i can find a machine shop to do that with my front coverplate.

what other ways can this be done. i was thinking taping in to the oil pan it self.

any sugestions? and who can do it.

thanks.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

check with web777. he got the return in the oil pan.

rxseven

I have the oil return line to the pan also.

eddierotary

iTrader: (7)

i have the retun line my my pan too but im thinking to put it in the front cover soon

dazdconfsd

Why the change? What is the advantage of it being on the front cover other than being closer to OE?

81Rex6port13b

yea that was one of the questions i was going to ask... looks like i forgot to lol.. on the stock TII motors the oil return line IS on the front coverplate. and its a big line.

would there be any cooling drawbacks to a smaller line to the oil pan?

Syscrush

The oil lubricates the bearing on the turbo shaft, which is spinning VERY fast and may be at a pretty high temp. The stuff in the return line is very frothy, almost like a milkshake, and if you run the line to the oil pan, the froth can back up and prevent the proper flow into the bearing. This is why the factory setup returns to the front cover - it's emptying into air there, and it can settle back down and re-liqueify.

If you are going to run the line to the pan, make sure that the line is at least as big as the stock one - maybe bigger.

Hope this helps,

Rex4Life

Yea it's best to drain into the air, draining back into the liquid of the pan could be a problem. Unless you really feel like experimenting, do it the OEM way and use as big a line as you can fit in the front cover.

You might pay $100 to get the parts and have the machining done, but if it save you the hassle of re-doing it or pulling your turbo--it's worth it. That's the safe way.

I know some guys have done this and I would suggest finding out exactly where in the pan they set their drain hole. At least you could draw upon their past experience. I can't believe there is much room for air in that little pan.

In my swap, I tried to always use the proven method over something cheap and unknown. So far everything is going well but a few minor problems--kind of expected a few. Either way you go with it, hope it works for you and good luck.

Scott

dazdconfsd

Thanks for the answers. Your wiring diagrams have been saved for future reference. Right now I just have the T2 parts car that will be for the eventual swap.

coldy13

I'm running a 3/4" line to the front cover, works good.

81Rex6port13b

alright im off to my local machine shop and see what they can do for me.. the front coverplate it is.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Stock 84/85 engines already have a spot for the Oil Return on the front cover (just like the 12A Turbo).

All you have to do it drill and tap it.

KehoeAutomotive

I put a oil line there recently and I am having some clearance problems with the radiator hose and oil pump lever.

I was worried about putting it into the pan as well. I even installed one into the oil pan and changed my mind at the last moment. Going to weld it back up.

81Rex6port13b

yea.. thats exactly where i was going to tap it.

KehoeAutomotive

What size hole and tap should I use?

I have a stock 12A turbo pipe I can use but I do not have a tap that size and don't know what size it is.

fatboy7

I used a 1/2" NPT tap. Its tappered so its pretty easy to get a good seal

web777

With the manifold I have it was better having the drain in the pan (the most upper part). My turbo sits low compared to the TII one, if I had put on the front cover it would have to go upstream to to drain = smoking turbo.

IMO, the oil pan drain drain is a little easier to fabricate.

KehoeAutomotive

web 777


How long have you had that oil pan return set up installed?

Are you using a stock oil pan?

Even at the top of the shallow oil pan, it looks like it is below the oil level.

Any problems there?

web777

I have it on the upper most part above the drain plug. The oil level doesn't get that high unless I jack the driver's side up or something.

I have this setup for about 6 mos with no problems. I had the same setup on my 82 rx7 for a year with no problems. Actually, I know a couple of people who had for years already.

KehoeAutomotive

Then it sounds like to me I'll leave the one in the pan then. I almost welded it up too.

Thanks for your help Web777!

KehoeAutomotive

Then it sounds like to me I'll leave the one in the pan then. I almost welded it up too.

Thanks for your help Web777!