Engine sitting to low
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Flyncold,
Pretty rare for oil pan to hit header & vice versa.
Worse case scenario. Somebody makes / sells a header flange spacer.
Might move the header over just enough to clear the pan.
Problem is with a spacer is, you now have to incorporate two gaskets.
Which means twice the odds of a header leak.
Pretty rare for oil pan to hit header & vice versa.
Worse case scenario. Somebody makes / sells a header flange spacer.
Might move the header over just enough to clear the pan.
Problem is with a spacer is, you now have to incorporate two gaskets.
Which means twice the odds of a header leak.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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I used those on a 327 once with raised exhaust ports to clear an issue...dont remember what it was. But you should post pics of the issue before we start making suggestions... I personally would like to see the pan and the header and why it is hitting... that just doesnt make any sense as to a header wrapping that far under the engine unless its not for a corvette...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,328
Likes: 8,133
From: Napa Valley California
This could also be because the oil pan has wide kick outs for larger than standard oil capacity.
Some header manufacturers will list the dimensions for oil pan kick out on their websites.
This is just one more aftermarket component that fitment is based on installing their header on an all factory original vehicle without modifications like aftermarket oil pans, steering systems, suspension systems, starters, air conditioning etc…
Some header manufacturers will list the dimensions for oil pan kick out on their websites.
This is just one more aftermarket component that fitment is based on installing their header on an all factory original vehicle without modifications like aftermarket oil pans, steering systems, suspension systems, starters, air conditioning etc…
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 670
From: FL
This could also be because the oil pan has wide kick outs for larger than standard oil capacity.
Some header manufacturers will list the dimensions for oil pan kick out on their websites.
This is just one more aftermarket component that fitment is based on installing their header on an all factory original vehicle without modifications like aftermarket oil pans, steering systems, suspension systems, starters, air conditioning etc…
Some header manufacturers will list the dimensions for oil pan kick out on their websites.
This is just one more aftermarket component that fitment is based on installing their header on an all factory original vehicle without modifications like aftermarket oil pans, steering systems, suspension systems, starters, air conditioning etc…
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,929
Likes: 842
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have the Milodon pan also those angled kickouts help horsepower to a degree by keeping oil from getting to the crank throw. Plus I like the extra capacity.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,328
Likes: 8,133
From: Napa Valley California
Hello OldCarBum,
i ended up going with the Moroso 21811 pan and got he clearance i needed but wouldn't you know it, now the header hits the side of the oil pan and won't bolt up. It's all my luck. I'm running Headman Headers for my 80 model and during the first fit with original oil pan didn't have any issues. What headers are you running?
i ended up going with the Moroso 21811 pan and got he clearance i needed but wouldn't you know it, now the header hits the side of the oil pan and won't bolt up. It's all my luck. I'm running Headman Headers for my 80 model and during the first fit with original oil pan didn't have any issues. What headers are you running?
I purchased them uncoated and after fitment, I had them ceramic coated.
I’m also running a Moroso 20403 oil pan.
I have no clearance issues and plenty of room between the headers and the oil pan.
But my part numbers will be different because I’m running a 496 big block and you are running a 383 small block.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Sep 3, 2025 at 06:53 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 584
Does the subject 383's heads have "raised exhaust ports" ??? Yes or No ?
Is the aftermarket pan configured for heads with "raised exhaust ports" ??? Yes or No ?
Moroso 21811 IS a wet sump true Road Race Pan.
MOST wet sump true Road Race Pans, by their very nature, have wide kickouts at sump; both R&L, And Sumps are Much wider than OE pans' sumps.
This M 21811's SUMP most definitely has a Much wider footprint than OE pans.
No free lunch.
Is the aftermarket pan configured for heads with "raised exhaust ports" ??? Yes or No ?
Moroso 21811 IS a wet sump true Road Race Pan.
MOST wet sump true Road Race Pans, by their very nature, have wide kickouts at sump; both R&L, And Sumps are Much wider than OE pans' sumps.
This M 21811's SUMP most definitely has a Much wider footprint than OE pans.
No free lunch.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,328
Likes: 8,133
From: Napa Valley California
Does the subject 383's heads have "raised exhaust ports" ??? Yes or No ?
Is the aftermarket pan configured for heads with "raised exhaust ports" ??? Yes or No ?
Moroso 21811 IS a wet sump true Road Race Pan.
MOST wet sump true Road Race Pans, by their very nature, have wide kickouts at sump; both R&L, And Sumps are Much wider than OE pans' sumps.
This M 21811's SUMP most definitely has a Much wider footprint than OE pans.
No free lunch.
Is the aftermarket pan configured for heads with "raised exhaust ports" ??? Yes or No ?
Moroso 21811 IS a wet sump true Road Race Pan.
MOST wet sump true Road Race Pans, by their very nature, have wide kickouts at sump; both R&L, And Sumps are Much wider than OE pans' sumps.
This M 21811's SUMP most definitely has a Much wider footprint than OE pans.
No free lunch.
It takes a lot of time and research to build an engine for a specific year model vehicle to make everything work and fit together.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,929
Likes: 842
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Milodon 30900 Milodon Street and Strip Oil Pans | Summit Racing https://share.google/MYWbcMdAOOrlZSQVy
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 584
Milodon 30900 Milodon Street and Strip Oil Pans | Summit Racing https://share.google/MYWbcMdAOOrlZSQVy
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,328
Likes: 8,133
From: Napa Valley California
No doubt that's a good pan for you, but that's a street-strip (as in drag strip) pan & also known as a T-sump pan; it's not a Road Race pan. And it hangs down even lower and closer to pavement than an OE pan. For low-slung chassis that're driven hard left & right I recommend a true Road Race pan; most are more shallow than OE but, nevertheless, have greater capacity. Most RR pans have a Broad footprint; Much wider and longer sump than OE. FWIW, Most real CT and RR pans' footprint is large enough that motor will sit stable on pickup bed or shop floor. Supported only by pan & gravity.
The OP was having fitment issues between his steering components and his oil pan, so several people suggested certain oil pans that would remedy his issues.
Next the OP stated his Hedman headers were hitting his oil pan so the current topic was to help him remedy his header clearance issue.
Buying a deeper pan with wider and longed kick outs like any road race pan will only make his problems worse rather than giving him the clearance he needs.
What road race pan are you running, on what year Corvette with what engine, with what steering, that works on your year model, without interference with the steering components and headers?
Are you road racing or auto crossing your car?
Can you supply any pictures?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,929
Likes: 842
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Actually my car in front is lower than stock and does not extend below the cross member so I don't see the problem . But you have to pick the pan for your purpose. But I will say Milodon is hard to beat.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 584
Have you read through the entire thread?
The OP was having fitment issues between his steering components and his oil pan, so several people suggested certain oil pans that would remedy his issues.
Next the OP stated his Hedman headers were hitting his oil pan so the current topic was to help him remedy his header clearance issue.
Buying a deeper pan with wider and longed kick outs like any road race pan will only make his problems worse rather than giving him the clearance he needs.
What road race pan are you running, on what year Corvette with what engine, with what steering, that works on your year model, without interference with the steering components and headers?
Are you road racing or auto crossing your car?
Can you supply any pictures?
The OP was having fitment issues between his steering components and his oil pan, so several people suggested certain oil pans that would remedy his issues.
Next the OP stated his Hedman headers were hitting his oil pan so the current topic was to help him remedy his header clearance issue.
Buying a deeper pan with wider and longed kick outs like any road race pan will only make his problems worse rather than giving him the clearance he needs.
What road race pan are you running, on what year Corvette with what engine, with what steering, that works on your year model, without interference with the steering components and headers?
Are you road racing or auto crossing your car?
Can you supply any pictures?
It doesn't matter which street-strip pan you have or what I have or have worked with. Although I'm not there in person to see his pan, car or headers; I'm attempting to assist Flyncold with his fitment. And, no, I didn't suggest or infer he buy another pan in addition to his M 21811 Road Race pan; that ship's sailed.
Moreover, not gonna get into a bio quiz/pizzin' match while trying to help someone else.
And so, continued good luck with your project, sir.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,019
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
BTW I looked at and almost bought the low profile circle track race pan with the side kicked out as it wouldnt hit anything on my vehicle but I decided not to for other reasons
Last edited by augiedoggy; Sep 6, 2025 at 09:23 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,019
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
Did you use the borgeson jeep upgrade type box or just a stock reproduction from borgeson? the borgeson jeep box allows the cylinder to be removed altogether as well as all those leaky high pressure lines under the car. there is a kit for the c3 vette from borgeson that has everything to do this but ive read its been backordered for a while now.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 584
Circle aka Oval Track wet sump pans Not recommended for street cars. They are purposely designed for repeated High-G, Left-Hand ONLY turns, where oil is thrown primarily against Right side of pan. They're configured for a pickup that's routed into Right side of pan and their sumps have gates/doors/runners configured to assist in Right side pickup & oil-return to Right side. Their sumps are typically kicked out on Right side Only.