ej20 shortened oil pan
Posted: 04 Jun 2018, 17:24
Thought I’d add this here as well as my ongoing restoration thread to enable the ‘search’ facility.
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=128706" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
As I’m going to install an ej20 into my van, one of the jobs to do was to shorten the oil pan.
Searching the internet, the best information I could find came from “The Samba”
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewt ... p?t=685557" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I mainly followed this technique and found it worked well.
I’m going to remove 1.5 inches which seems to be the standard amount to do and weld a 4mm thick steel sheet across.
Simple pencil gauge to draw a line at the correct height.
IMG_1594 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
Then confirm with masking tape.
IMG_1597 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
Looks a bit wonky but thats just the camera angle. Next stage to cut off with angle grinder.
Looks like a previous owner of the Impreza managed to ding the sump!
IMG_1598 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
I clamped the pan to a board so I could hold it securely in the vice, then cut round with an angle grinder
IMG_1599 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
The cut was quite easy to do
IMG_1600 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
IMG_1602 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
Then I checked for a good flat surface, needed a little tidying up but not too bad.
IMG_1603 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
IMG_1605 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
Simple ‘bucket chemistry’ gives a loss of 500 ml, so not too bad at all.
IMG_1606 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
This shows the temporary base board I used. Two main holes for oil pickup pipe and return oil pipe.
IMG_1609 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
Prior to welding the base, I did a final check that the oil pick up pipe was the correct length, and didn’t reach the bottom. I have about 6mm of clearance, the same as original.
IMG_1612 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
By screwing the oil pan down to this board I was able to easily hold it in the vice whilst welding the base, also I think it helped prevent the pan from warping from the welding heat.
IMG_1617 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
I welded the seam in stages, spacing the welds apart to prevent overheating in one area to eliminate stresses and warping.
IMG_1620 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
The oil drain thread was removed from the cut off oil pan and welded back into a suitable area.
IMG_1613 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
IMG_1619 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
The final test was to fill it with white spirits to check for pin holes, yes I found 2 but easy to re weld. Rather find them now rather that after installation!
The oil pickup pipe was shortened by 40mm. The tube was 20 OD so I was able to sleeve it with a short length of 22mm copper water pipe - 20mm internal - then silver soldered it into place.
IMG_1610 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
Again by using he base board I was able to align the filter head parallel to it whist soldering it.
IMG_1614 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
The finished oil pickup, painted with engine enamel.
IMG_1621 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
All done, very pleased with finished pan.
IMG_1626 by Grandpawoody, on Flickr
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=128706" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
As I’m going to install an ej20 into my van, one of the jobs to do was to shorten the oil pan.
Searching the internet, the best information I could find came from “The Samba”
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewt ... p?t=685557" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I mainly followed this technique and found it worked well.
I’m going to remove 1.5 inches which seems to be the standard amount to do and weld a 4mm thick steel sheet across.
Simple pencil gauge to draw a line at the correct height.

Then confirm with masking tape.

Looks a bit wonky but thats just the camera angle. Next stage to cut off with angle grinder.
Looks like a previous owner of the Impreza managed to ding the sump!

I clamped the pan to a board so I could hold it securely in the vice, then cut round with an angle grinder

The cut was quite easy to do


Then I checked for a good flat surface, needed a little tidying up but not too bad.


Simple ‘bucket chemistry’ gives a loss of 500 ml, so not too bad at all.

This shows the temporary base board I used. Two main holes for oil pickup pipe and return oil pipe.

Prior to welding the base, I did a final check that the oil pick up pipe was the correct length, and didn’t reach the bottom. I have about 6mm of clearance, the same as original.

By screwing the oil pan down to this board I was able to easily hold it in the vice whilst welding the base, also I think it helped prevent the pan from warping from the welding heat.

I welded the seam in stages, spacing the welds apart to prevent overheating in one area to eliminate stresses and warping.

The oil drain thread was removed from the cut off oil pan and welded back into a suitable area.


The final test was to fill it with white spirits to check for pin holes, yes I found 2 but easy to re weld. Rather find them now rather that after installation!
The oil pickup pipe was shortened by 40mm. The tube was 20 OD so I was able to sleeve it with a short length of 22mm copper water pipe - 20mm internal - then silver soldered it into place.

Again by using he base board I was able to align the filter head parallel to it whist soldering it.

The finished oil pickup, painted with engine enamel.

All done, very pleased with finished pan.
