Engine height raised with oil pan brace
05-11-08, 11:54 AM
#1
Engine height raised with oil pan brace
I recently installed a GARFINKLE oil pan brace during the course of an engine rebuild. Since I'd seen only some passing mention of raising the engine height as a result of these braces, I thought I'd post some pictures for reference.
First, this is NOT a complaint. Garfinkle's brace construction was excellent, the machining was spot-on. Everything fit like a glove...no trimming or grinding required, and of course it came with all the needed longer bolts.
Second, by defiinition ANY oil pan brace will raise the engine height the thickness of the brace (1/4"). IMO anyone installing ANY of these braces (Banzai, Gotham or Garfinkle) should integrate it with a set of poly motor mounts to reduce torque movement of the engine. Clearance is tight enough that with the softer stock mounts, it MIGHT allow enough movement to be a problem...
That said, I've only run into one issue (if you can all it that) due to the height increase.... not being able to use an aftermarket aluminum oil fill cap. This was due to lack of clearance to the OEM shock tower brace. When compared to the much more serious issue of assuring a good oil pan seal with no leak, I hesitate to even mention it.
Just a picture of the (painted) brace installed. In my case, I also installed a set of Noltec motor mounts
Picture from the driver's side. It's a little dark, but it clears the vacuum box by ~1/2 inch
Picture from the passenger side. The closest clearance issue is just above the cross-over. In my case, this is an efini 'Y' pipe, which IIRC sits a bit higher by design over the stock crossover. So those running the stock 'Y' may not notice much change in clearance at all.
First, this is NOT a complaint. Garfinkle's brace construction was excellent, the machining was spot-on. Everything fit like a glove...no trimming or grinding required, and of course it came with all the needed longer bolts.
Second, by defiinition ANY oil pan brace will raise the engine height the thickness of the brace (1/4"). IMO anyone installing ANY of these braces (Banzai, Gotham or Garfinkle) should integrate it with a set of poly motor mounts to reduce torque movement of the engine. Clearance is tight enough that with the softer stock mounts, it MIGHT allow enough movement to be a problem...
That said, I've only run into one issue (if you can all it that) due to the height increase.... not being able to use an aftermarket aluminum oil fill cap. This was due to lack of clearance to the OEM shock tower brace. When compared to the much more serious issue of assuring a good oil pan seal with no leak, I hesitate to even mention it.
Just a picture of the (painted) brace installed. In my case, I also installed a set of Noltec motor mounts
Picture from the driver's side. It's a little dark, but it clears the vacuum box by ~1/2 inch
Picture from the passenger side. The closest clearance issue is just above the cross-over. In my case, this is an efini 'Y' pipe, which IIRC sits a bit higher by design over the stock crossover. So those running the stock 'Y' may not notice much change in clearance at all.
05-11-08, 12:01 PM
#2
IMO anyone installing ANY of these braces (Banzai, Gotham or Garfinkle) should integrate it with a set of poly motor mounts to reduce torque movement of the engine. Clearance is tight enough that with the softer stock mounts, it MIGHT allow enough movement to be a problem...
Or use an aftermarket strut tower brace which allows more clearance like a Cusco bar.
05-11-08, 12:37 PM
#4
If you have the adjustable style oem bar, you might be able to angle it to clear the oil cap. I have run into issues as well. I have even had situations where the combination of aftermarket motor mounts and brace raised the engine enough that I had to drop the subframe to get the motor in the car. Its just what happens sometimes with aftermarket parts. Need to work around it.
05-11-08, 01:14 PM
#5
As far as I can tell, the Noltecs didn't contribute to the raised height....at least not that I can document. I don't recall the exact measurements now, but just rough 'eye-ball" check using a tape measure I didn't see any height difference between the the OEM passenger side and the Noltec when they were out of the car. (My driver's side was toasted)
Last edited by Sgtblue; 05-11-08 at 01:26 PM.
05-11-08, 03:11 PM
#7
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I milled down the motor mounts the thickness of the oil pan brace, 3/16 . This was over seven years ago and the car is still on the same motor mounts with a
Garfinkle engine torque brace so do not say the motor mounts will break if they are milled down . I also use all 19 pan holes by drilling the mounts for the bolt head clearence .
Garfinkle engine torque brace so do not say the motor mounts will break if they are milled down . I also use all 19 pan holes by drilling the mounts for the bolt head clearence .
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