ZR1/09+ Z06 dry sump total capacity is 12 quarts
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 742
From: New Jersey-ish
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
ZR1/09+ Z06 dry sump total capacity is 12 quarts
Yes, totally useless info I know, but today we found the true system capacity. This is an extremely extra probably not necessary thorough oil change method no doubt.
I did my oil change today with a forum member on his lift. Both drain plugs out, filter out, then one drain plug back in, pulled the dry sump lines (tons of oil came out, o-rings were changed last oil change), pull the drain plugs again. Even more came out.
We put exactly 11 quarts in and got the oil temp to 175-180, turned it off, and let it sit 5-6 minutes. Exactly on the minimum line on the dipstick. Put in another quart, exactly right below the max line on the dipstick. And we also filled the new oil filter before that got put on.
The more you know I guess, a 12 quart box of Mobil 1 5W-30 put to good use (street driving/highway cruising only)....
I did my oil change today with a forum member on his lift. Both drain plugs out, filter out, then one drain plug back in, pulled the dry sump lines (tons of oil came out, o-rings were changed last oil change), pull the drain plugs again. Even more came out.
We put exactly 11 quarts in and got the oil temp to 175-180, turned it off, and let it sit 5-6 minutes. Exactly on the minimum line on the dipstick. Put in another quart, exactly right below the max line on the dipstick. And we also filled the new oil filter before that got put on.
The more you know I guess, a 12 quart box of Mobil 1 5W-30 put to good use (street driving/highway cruising only)....
Last edited by CorvetteFan1953; Yesterday at 10:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,019
Likes: 921
From: Baie-D'Urfe, Quebec
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
what I do, after draining out all that I can, is disconnect the 2 vacuum lines at the top of the oil tank and cap either one with a small rubber cap.
Then, have my assistant (wifey) hold the nozzle of my Milwaukee tire inflator into the other, open one.
This forces an additional quart or so out of the lines (all comes out the pan's forward drain plug). It basically pressurizes the oil tank.
This method is nice, because it doesn't involve disconnecting actual dry sump lines, or worrying about 0-rings.
Using this method, with my 10qt Lingenfelter oil tank, a refill is 10qts (Redline 0w-40). But, I only fill to the center dipstick line(@185f*), because when oil temp increases to 240* on track, it raises the level to the top line.
Now having said all this, do not do what I did on my first attempt at this! Instead of using a low pressure tire inflator, in my infinite wisdom, I used my actual compressor at about 90psi...and made a huge mess as the oil blasted out like a geyser! Lesson learned!
Now if only I could drain out the oil remaining in the large Improved Racing oil cooler (1.5qts +-)...but no biggie, it dilutes
Then, have my assistant (wifey) hold the nozzle of my Milwaukee tire inflator into the other, open one.
This forces an additional quart or so out of the lines (all comes out the pan's forward drain plug). It basically pressurizes the oil tank.
This method is nice, because it doesn't involve disconnecting actual dry sump lines, or worrying about 0-rings.
Using this method, with my 10qt Lingenfelter oil tank, a refill is 10qts (Redline 0w-40). But, I only fill to the center dipstick line(@185f*), because when oil temp increases to 240* on track, it raises the level to the top line.
Now having said all this, do not do what I did on my first attempt at this! Instead of using a low pressure tire inflator, in my infinite wisdom, I used my actual compressor at about 90psi...and made a huge mess as the oil blasted out like a geyser! Lesson learned!
Now if only I could drain out the oil remaining in the large Improved Racing oil cooler (1.5qts +-)...but no biggie, it dilutes
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 609
Likes: 250
From: Indiana
what I do, after draining out all that I can, is disconnect the 2 vacuum lines at the top of the oil tank and cap either one with a small rubber cap.
Then, have my assistant (wifey) hold the nozzle of my Milwaukee tire inflator into the other, open one.
This forces an additional quart or so out of the lines (all comes out the pan's forward drain plug). It basically pressurizes the oil tank.
This method is nice, because it doesn't involve disconnecting actual dry sump lines, or worrying about 0-rings.
Using this method, with my 10qt Lingenfelter oil tank, a refill is 10qts (Redline 0w-40). But, I only fill to the center dipstick line(@185f*), because when oil temp increases to 240* on track, it raises the level to the top line.
Now having said all this, do not do what I did on my first attempt at this! Instead of using a low pressure tire inflator, in my infinite wisdom, I used my actual compressor at about 90psi...and made a huge mess as the oil blasted out like a geyser! Lesson learned!
Now if only I could drain out the oil remaining in the large Improved Racing oil cooler (1.5qts +-)...but no biggie, it dilutes
Then, have my assistant (wifey) hold the nozzle of my Milwaukee tire inflator into the other, open one.
This forces an additional quart or so out of the lines (all comes out the pan's forward drain plug). It basically pressurizes the oil tank.
This method is nice, because it doesn't involve disconnecting actual dry sump lines, or worrying about 0-rings.
Using this method, with my 10qt Lingenfelter oil tank, a refill is 10qts (Redline 0w-40). But, I only fill to the center dipstick line(@185f*), because when oil temp increases to 240* on track, it raises the level to the top line.
Now having said all this, do not do what I did on my first attempt at this! Instead of using a low pressure tire inflator, in my infinite wisdom, I used my actual compressor at about 90psi...and made a huge mess as the oil blasted out like a geyser! Lesson learned!
Now if only I could drain out the oil remaining in the large Improved Racing oil cooler (1.5qts +-)...but no biggie, it dilutes
Last edited by 99Hawk262; Today at 09:28 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,019
Likes: 921
From: Baie-D'Urfe, Quebec
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 303
Likes: 137
That is a pretty low temperature to check the oil level. Will be over max at over 200 degrees, and unlike the wet sump systems, these systems don't take to being overfilled very well. I'd recommend shooting for half-way mark at those temps to give yourself headroom for when you actually drive it aggressively and get real temps.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 742
From: New Jersey-ish
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
That is a pretty low temperature to check the oil level. Will be over max at over 200 degrees, and unlike the wet sump systems, these systems don't take to being overfilled very well. I'd recommend shooting for half-way mark at those temps to give yourself headroom for when you actually drive it aggressively and get real temps.
Last edited by CorvetteFan1953; Today at 01:01 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 412
Likes: 82
From: Hackettstown NJ
Previously, I would always re-install the 2 drain plugs & then remove the 2 dry sump lines (easy). After the procedure for checking the oil, I used 11.5 quarts.
As per CorvetteFan1953 post, leaving out the 2 oil drain plugs when removing the 2 dry sump lines gets me an extra 1/4 of a quart more out which equals a total of 11.75 quarts.
As TommyC6Z06 previous mentioned about worrying of the dry sump line O rings, I bought 2 (GM 15217990) O rings many years ago just in case. I'm still using the existing OEM O rings to this day.
I use to track my ZR1 for years & the lines are still bone dry.
As per CorvetteFan1953 post, leaving out the 2 oil drain plugs when removing the 2 dry sump lines gets me an extra 1/4 of a quart more out which equals a total of 11.75 quarts.
As TommyC6Z06 previous mentioned about worrying of the dry sump line O rings, I bought 2 (GM 15217990) O rings many years ago just in case. I'm still using the existing OEM O rings to this day.
I use to track my ZR1 for years & the lines are still bone dry.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 742
From: New Jersey-ish
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Previously, I would always re-install the 2 drain plugs & then remove the 2 dry sump lines (easy). After the procedure for checking the oil, I used 11.5 quarts.
As per CorvetteFan1953 post, leaving out the 2 oil drain plugs when removing the 2 dry sump lines gets me an extra 1/4 of a quart more out which equals a total of 11.75 quarts.
As TommyC6Z06 previous mentioned about worrying of the dry sump line O rings, I bought 2 (GM 15217990) O rings many years ago just in case. I'm still using the existing OEM O rings to this day.
I use to track my ZR1 for years & the lines are still bone dry.
As per CorvetteFan1953 post, leaving out the 2 oil drain plugs when removing the 2 dry sump lines gets me an extra 1/4 of a quart more out which equals a total of 11.75 quarts.
As TommyC6Z06 previous mentioned about worrying of the dry sump line O rings, I bought 2 (GM 15217990) O rings many years ago just in case. I'm still using the existing OEM O rings to this day.
I use to track my ZR1 for years & the lines are still bone dry.