I've read that people here adore the Garfinkle oil pan brace because it's really well made, and everyone points out the relief cuts made for the oil pan flutes. Is that really a huge deal? From the pictures, it seems as though the Banzai Racing brace doesn't have them. Do the relief cuts make a huge difference in how well the pan seals to the block?

And also, do the cast aluminum pans from Pineapple Racing/Xcessive have those flutes? And would the brace still be recommended for use with the cast pans?

 

Welcome back to 2008

I explain in great detail in this thread with pictures why we intentionally do not have a groove in our brace.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...2/#post7990299

Cutting a groove in the brace actually greatly reduces the amount of clamping force the brace has to seal the pan, since it is simply applying torque at the bolts. By not cutting a relief, pressure is exerted on the pan at the raised portions where the pan is more likely to leak....between the bolt holes.

more https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...3/#post8855696