ls engine for drifting

[s50b30]

Im about to start a new e36 project.
Had almost desided for a 2jz, but then I found a ls2 crate engine.
Seems stupidly cheap.(I know I have to add cost for manifold, mounts etc)
But you get a new engine!

Is there any reliability issues with a ls2.
I have heard rumors about oil starvation, is there anyway to go around that without drysump?
Any other issues?

Does anybody have experience with katech as a engine supplier?

Thanks!

[protomor]

I haven't personally dealt with katech but I've only heard good things. Not saying it's super trust worthy but take it with a grain of salt.

LS2s are bettER than LS1's about oil starvation. I think even LS3s have the issue. You can run a better baffled and higher capacity oil pan. The starvation is at sustained high G's which I'm not sure you really will deal with too much of in drifting. Better safe than sorry obviously. If you can afford it, go dry sump. I'm not sure is the sikky LS oil pan I'm running on m E30 will work with E36s.

[rpm620]

Can't help with engine suppliers, but as far as oiling is concerned you would wanna run the following setup from I'm improved racing. They have a great baffle which a lot of road racers use on there race cars. You can also buy just the baffle of their site.



http://www.improvedracing.com/baffled-pans/baffled-racing-oil-pan-for-ls1-camaro-firebird-body-p-75.html

[jeepster]

I drift an LS1 in my E36 and have had zero issues. I run a moroso 8 qt steel pan with baffles and proper pickup tube. I have never lost oil pressure under any circumstances. I have used the car mainly for drift, but it has been to the drag strip and to a few autoX events with no issues. I think the problem most people have is not running enough oil in their pans for what they are doing. With an aftermarket (or non f-body) pan I think the issue is greatly diminished.

[Piner]

The big culprit I have seen is with the LS1 GTO oil pan, many guys with S chassis using that pan don't have their engines last through their first drift event with the swap. We don't have that issue since we are rear sump so that pan isnt even an option but that is one of the reasons for LS oiling issue being a well known problem.