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How has an Accusump worked out for you?

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Old 09-08-2010, 10:27 PM
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Fastguy
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Default How has an Accusump worked out for you?

Was is worthwhile, or would the money have been better spent on a dry sump? I am looking for ways to prolong the life of my LS1 in an HPDE car.
Old 09-09-2010, 12:15 AM
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mgarfias
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Don't bother. They're an anti-reliability system.
Old 09-09-2010, 04:03 AM
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bobmoore2
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During long left turns with a side load over about 1.1 Gs, the oil collects in the right side of the engine (if it is a wet sump engine) until there is no oil near the oil pump pickup. All the LS_ engines with wet sumps (LS1, LS2, LS3 and LS6) have the same problem. (The LS7, LS9, and Grand Sport LS3s have dry sumps.)

If you're using R-compound tires, then you need to protect your LS1 engine from oil starvation during high-G left turns.

Putting a dry sump onto an LS1 would be the best solution, but that would be very expensive. So you should put an accusump onto your LS1, but only if you are also using R-Compound tires.

If I'm wrong, then you might waste about 1,000 dollars for parts (and labor) you really don't need. If I'm right and the accusump keeps your engine together, you will have saved well over 10,000 dollars.

Most folks on the Forum are on my side of this argument.
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Old 09-09-2010, 06:46 AM
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AU N EGL
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Best mod I had done for my car. 20K track miles.

use a manual switch to turn it on. a pressure switch may be too late.

Plus oil cooler is a must.
Old 09-09-2010, 07:45 AM
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davidfarmer
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great mod. Even for pre-lubing only it is more than worth it's cost. I personally think they are great, although they certainly can't cure a serious oiling problem.
Old 09-09-2010, 08:12 AM
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John Shiels
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Works great I popped my original motor from oil starvation. Second motor has been fine with the car and me a lot faster. More power and better aero. Like Tom said get a cooler also. Got my stuff from DRM.
Old 09-09-2010, 08:26 AM
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argonaut
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Last winter I pulled the LS1 out of my 99 and put in a new LS6 longblock and Canton Accusump. Already had the oil cooler. Accusump cost: $~500 in parts. LS6: $3300*. Labor: $0 - just me and a friend.

I can't say for sure if I have even needed it, not sure how to know if it is activated while on the track. But for the peace of mind and the pre-lube capability - for me it was $500 well spent.


*Nowadays the LS6 is just about the best bang-for-bucks deal ever. Darn cheap for 400 horsepower!

Last edited by argonaut; 09-09-2010 at 08:28 AM.
Old 09-09-2010, 09:31 AM
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trapp
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Originally Posted by mgarfias
Don't bother. They're an anti-reliability system.
Old 09-09-2010, 09:54 AM
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96CollectorSport
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Most people forget about the pre-oiling that the accusump does, that alone will extend the life of your engine. It's definatly worth the $500!
Old 09-09-2010, 10:12 AM
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RedLS1GTO
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Being a good shopper (bought one used) I installed one in my C4 for about $250. Well worth it. I have a mechanical pressure gauge and in long corners I would watch the pressure drop to the point of being really scared. After the accusump it stays right where it should be.
Old 09-09-2010, 10:36 AM
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Fastguy
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Best mod I had done for my car. 20K track miles.

use a manual switch to turn it on. a pressure switch may be too late.

Plus oil cooler is a must.
So, you are looking at the OP gauge in turns and keeping your hand near a switch?
I am running V710's and push the car pretty hard. Last event the oil temps approached 300 and I was consuming oil. I eventually ran it low in a turn and now the motor is junk. Its rapping and stalls, sounds like I broke a piston or a con rod. I bought another LS1 and I would rather spend a few bucks just to not have to go through the hassle of a motor swap.
Old 09-09-2010, 10:42 AM
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VetteDrmr
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Originally Posted by Fastguy
So, you are looking at the OP gauge in turns and keeping your hand near a switch?
No, you flip the switch on when you start up. Accumulator acts like a buffer to oil pressure fluctuations.

Have a good one,
Mike
Old 09-09-2010, 11:01 AM
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J.R.
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A crate LS3 with 18 months of race use (approx. 50 hrs), DOT tires. Accusump does work.

Note: This is only a 6400 rpm engine (my choice).
Dry sump is the real answer but it is a balance of expense and benefit.
My new car does have a dry sump but that is because it came with one, but same old engine.
Old 09-09-2010, 11:25 AM
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stano
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Good luck at Nationals J.R.


Stano
Old 09-09-2010, 11:58 AM
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trapp
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Originally Posted by J.R.
A crate LS3 with 18 months of race use (approx. 50 hrs), DOT tires. Accusump does work.

Note: This is only a 6400 rpm engine (my choice).
Dry sump is the real answer but it is a balance of expense and benefit.
My new car does have a dry sump but that is because it came with one, but same old engine.
Did you have a pressure switch and if so what oil pressure did it dump at?
Old 09-09-2010, 12:00 PM
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trapp
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Originally Posted by Fastguy
So, you are looking at the OP gauge in turns and keeping your hand near a switch?
I am running V710's and push the car pretty hard. Last event the oil temps approached 300 and I was consuming oil. I eventually ran it low in a turn and now the motor is junk. Its rapping and stalls, sounds like I broke a piston or a con rod. I bought another LS1 and I would rather spend a few bucks just to not have to go through the hassle of a motor swap.
I have it on a pressure switch...if it drops below 25psi it dumps immediately...
Old 09-09-2010, 01:02 PM
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mgarfias
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Originally Posted by trapp
Three failures in 2 years. One solenoid. One pressure sensor. And the last straw was when the aluminum cannister ****ing blew up and dumped oil all over the ground.

Literally, the top of the unit blew off the top.

Plus, none of the gizmos that ship with it are race car/aircraft quality. Brass NPT fittings have no place on a car.

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Old 09-09-2010, 01:05 PM
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AU N EGL
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Originally Posted by Fastguy
So, you are looking at the OP gauge in turns and keeping your hand near a switch?
I am running V710's and push the car pretty hard. Last event the oil temps approached 300 and I was consuming oil. I eventually ran it low in a turn and now the motor is junk. Its rapping and stalls, sounds like I broke a piston or a con rod. I bought another LS1 and I would rather spend a few bucks just to not have to go through the hassle of a motor swap.
Not quite

I turn the key to accessory, let the gauges swing, the flip on the accu-sump to pre-lub the block.
Crank over the engine

The sump runs all the time, while the engine is running.

and mike is correct here
Accumulator acts like a buffer to oil pressure fluctuations.
if you wait until the oil pressure drops to a certain point, IMO that is too late.


with oil cooler never see oil temps above 245 now.
Old 09-09-2010, 01:43 PM
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mgarfias
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You guys do realize that a number of the T1 guys are pushing really really hard, and they're not running accusumps? If Oli can't blow up a motor without the sump, i'm pretty well convinced its not needed.
Old 09-09-2010, 01:54 PM
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J.R.
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Did you have a pressure switch and if so what oil pressure did it dump at?


Electric with an accessory switch which I ran it at 25 psi.


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