Subaru conversion - sump
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
Subaru conversion - sump
Hi guys
I'm currently looking to lower my Subaru (ej20 n/a) converted van using RJES mount and need a shorter sump!
So far I've contacted, Bug@5speed in Germany, fellowes speed shop and RJES and am waiting on a reply from another company, the first two have said they supply a sump which is only 1/4 litre less capacity than the original sump but keeps the oil cooler and looks very robust and well made however it doesn't fit with the RJES engine mount! :/
Ive looked around a lot and can't find anything, I want to shorten the sump so that I can lower the van by 50-70mm max but I can't find anything to buy to achieve this.
I have also read a lot of horror stories of people cutting the bottom off and decreasing the oil capacity and then killing their engine, so I've decided that dramatically decreasing the oil capacity (by more than 1/4 litre) is not an option.
Looking on this forum and various other places I've seen some people have fabricated 'wing' style sumps with the same or greater oil capacity but there is no information on how well this works or any plans of how to do it so I'm a little bit stuck :/
Any help on how I can overcome this problem would be great, I don't mind if it's something that I can buy or have to have fabricated as long as there are some assurances that it works and isn't going to starve the engine of oil.
Thanks in advance
James
I'm currently looking to lower my Subaru (ej20 n/a) converted van using RJES mount and need a shorter sump!
So far I've contacted, Bug@5speed in Germany, fellowes speed shop and RJES and am waiting on a reply from another company, the first two have said they supply a sump which is only 1/4 litre less capacity than the original sump but keeps the oil cooler and looks very robust and well made however it doesn't fit with the RJES engine mount! :/
Ive looked around a lot and can't find anything, I want to shorten the sump so that I can lower the van by 50-70mm max but I can't find anything to buy to achieve this.
I have also read a lot of horror stories of people cutting the bottom off and decreasing the oil capacity and then killing their engine, so I've decided that dramatically decreasing the oil capacity (by more than 1/4 litre) is not an option.
Looking on this forum and various other places I've seen some people have fabricated 'wing' style sumps with the same or greater oil capacity but there is no information on how well this works or any plans of how to do it so I'm a little bit stuck :/
Any help on how I can overcome this problem would be great, I don't mind if it's something that I can buy or have to have fabricated as long as there are some assurances that it works and isn't going to starve the engine of oil.
Thanks in advance
James
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
I've just emailed Kennedy engineered products in California and I'm awaiting a reply, is there no where closer than the other side of the world that does this? I'm really struggling to find anything.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 202
- Joined: 31 Oct 2012, 14:52
- 80-90 Mem No: 12269
- Location: Exeter, Devon
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
Still in the States I'm afraid, but I've had these guys recommended to me for when I start on my Scooby conversion:
https://www.smallcar.com/index.php?disp ... t_id=29943" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Cheers,
Ben.
https://www.smallcar.com/index.php?disp ... t_id=29943" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Cheers,
Ben.
1987 Syncro EJ25 Leisuredrive Tin-Top Campervan
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
Thanks Ben! I've contacted them and they are very helpful however reading on another post somewhere the smallcar sump does not fit with the RJES engine mount/cradle
I'm really struggling, anyone else got any ideas?

- Aidan
- Trader
- Posts: 6999
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
- 80-90 Mem No: 742
- Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )
- Contact:
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
there is some development work going on to make a new low pro hi capacity sump for the uk market, it will be a casting with a cover plate design, but again it may not work with the RJES engine mount as the easiest place to find extra space and thus capacity is at the front of the engine which is where Richard's mount is. Richard has prototype design but hasn't progressed it as he doesn't see it as priority, all you can do is push him to bring it to market, we've been pushing for more than 4 years
Using the LMB technik or SmallCar mount makes for an easier installation exhaust mounting wise, and for using a larger capacity low pro sump of which as you have found there are a few already out there
Using the LMB technik or SmallCar mount makes for an easier installation exhaust mounting wise, and for using a larger capacity low pro sump of which as you have found there are a few already out there
- boardmonkey
- Registered user
- Posts: 218
- Joined: 27 May 2009, 14:27
- 80-90 Mem No: 6853
- Location: Kernow
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
Hi Jimmy,
How low is your current sump and EJ20 NA..I am looking at the same and my van is already lowered...
Cheers, Richard
How low is your current sump and EJ20 NA..I am looking at the same and my van is already lowered...
Cheers, Richard
''Nellie'' born 01/87 Hannover WV2ZZZ25ZHH067456 now fitting with a new heart EJ25 N/A
- axeman
- Registered user
- Posts: 1246
- Joined: 07 Feb 2009, 19:50
- 80-90 Mem No: 6410
- Location: Smeeth kent country side
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
have a look at the burley motorsport one, i have it and have no issues at all.
neil
neil
Back in the game with an uncut 2wd panel van
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 03 Jul 2015, 16:26
- 80-90 Mem No: 0
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
ive been looking at doing a subaru conversion on a lowered van and i came across TSR engine conversions. it seams they do a lowered sump, has anyone used this?
http://www.tsrengineconversions.co.uk/p ... =161&2=162
http://www.tsrengineconversions.co.uk/p ... =161&2=162
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 185
- Joined: 20 May 2011, 18:11
- 80-90 Mem No: 10541
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
I think a mate of mine used there's when he put a Subaru in his 60 split and I know he drove to van fest and back from Salisbury ok! i spoke to rjes a while back about a shortened sump and he said he was in the proses of making one but paused on making it as he was moving workshop or something??? Think he said tsr don't make them, they import them from somewhere and possibly said they don't fit.Shappers88 wrote:ive been looking at doing a subaru conversion on a lowered van and i came across TSR engine conversions. it seams they do a lowered sump, has anyone used this?
http://www.tsrengineconversions.co.uk/p ... =161&2=162
My van is dropped 70mm and only bumped it 3 times but was never out driving on the road. As long as your cautious your be alright.
-
- Trader
- Posts: 17218
- Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 09:51
- 80-90 Mem No: 6908
- Location: Surrey Syncronaut #156
- Contact:
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
TSR? 

1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
silverbullet wrote:TSR?


-
- Trader
- Posts: 17218
- Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 09:51
- 80-90 Mem No: 6908
- Location: Surrey Syncronaut #156
- Contact:
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
I have a TSR loom and injection system/inlet manifold etc for an EJ22 for anyone feeling brave. Was a runner, just not up to much in the wet!
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 03 Jul 2015, 16:26
- 80-90 Mem No: 0
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
so i take it i should avoid them then? lol
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
Plenty of threads in here, brickyard, vwkd and vzi about them chap.
http://www.volkszone.co.uk/VZi/showthread.php?t=1225313" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://vwkd.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=4417 ... sc&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.volkszone.co.uk/VZi/showthread.php?t=1225313" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://vwkd.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=4417 ... sc&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 03 Jul 2015, 16:26
- 80-90 Mem No: 0
Re: Subaru conversion - sump
ah ok cheers mate