A longer-than-anticipated journey is nearing the finish line, and 86 enthusiasts worldwide now have a solution for a problem that has plagued them for years. The Verus Engineering FA24 oil pan, designed to solve severe oil pressure drops during cornering, is now available in a 3D-printed version with a more affordable cast version to follow.
Contact [email protected] to request the 3D version and keep reading to learn more about why an aftermarket oil plan was needed, what Verus has done to solve the problem, and what track testing shows.
Beloved 86 Platform Faced With Serious Oil Pressure Issue
A joy to drive and more accessible than higher-priced sports cars, the 86 platform has spawned legions of enthusiasts. Despite the rave reviews and global following, this joint venture between Subaru and Toyota has experienced a few bumps in the road. In recent years, a problem known as “Silicone Gate” arose, where excess silicone sealant would harden, break off, and enter the car’s oil system, potentially causing catastrophic engine failure.
The silicone setback has since given way to another serious concern as members of the 86 community noticed oil pressure drops when cornering during track days. The pressure loss is connected to a faulty oil pan design that uncovers the oil pickup during high-speed right-hand corners.
Armstrong Documents Pressure Drop, Leads Charge for Solution
Verus Engineering's original version of the FA24 aftermarket oil pan.
Over the past two years, software engineer, BRZ owner, and track enthusiast Brian Armstrong has been a leading voice in solving the oil pressure problem. His data from testing Subaru BRZs and Toyota GR86s has proven invaluable in finding a workable, minimally invasive solution for all 86 drivers.
Goals of the oil pan development include:
- Reduce oil pressure drops when cornering to protect the engine and maintain performance
- Cost-effective for all 86 drivers
- A solution that customers can install without removing the engine
Project Background: The Verus team and collaborator Brian Armstrong provide insights into the FA24 oil pan project.
Through his testing, Armstrong noted how the flat engine’s design, with excess space in the heads and timing cover, allowed oil to accumulate when cornering. Essentially, there’s too much room for oil to slosh around, leaving the pickup uncovered.
Verus Joins Effort To Attack Oil Pressure Problem
Version 3 of the Verus Engineering FA24 oil pan.
With extensive experience designing aftermarket parts for the 86 platform, Verus Engineering was a natural fit to attack the pressure drop issue. The Verus team joined the fray over two years ago and continues to work toward an answer. The first attempt was a baffling system, but it didn’t have the expected effect. The focus then shifted to adding more oil capacity, as simply controlling the oil in the sump wasn’t enough.
Aftermarket Verus Engineering oil pan on FA24 engine used in 86 platform models.
Verus successfully added capacity. By version 3 – a 3D-printed unit that went through at least eight different iterations – the aftermarket oil pan held around 1.5 quarts more than the factory unit. Verus added capacity and created an oil pan that fit the car in the same fashion as the OEM unit for ease of installation. Here’s a rundown of what Verus has done to solve the problem:
- Baffling system with the OEM oil pan
- Increasing capacity with a new GR86 oil pan
- Combining a new, larger oil plan with custom vertical baffling
- Flapping doors within the baffling system to feed the center section of the sump, and then block off the section when cornering to keep the oil pickup covered
- Testing horizontal baffling to remedy the starvation problem further
Each version of the Verus FA24 oil pan has been tested. Armstrong did his fair share of laps but later turned the job over to others who could tackle it with a more aggressive setup. Seigo Ma, the 2023 Turn8 Time Attack Champion and part of the 86 community in California, has taken over primary testing responsibilities for Versions 3, 4, and 5. Using higher-grip 200 treadwear tires, Ma is pushing the car hard around the track, thus testing the limits of the Verus solution.
What Does Testing of the FA24 Oil Pan Show?
Data showing how Verus Engineering's aftermarket FA24 oil pan reduces oil pressure drops.
The solution is working. While the testing and fine-tuning continue, Verus has made tremendous improvements over the OEM component. The team has dramatically reduced the number of oil pressure drops, but that’s not all. Even when the pressure goes below the ideal level, the magnitude and duration of the dips are much less than what was documented in the OEM part. Verus has eliminated the repeated drops to engine-compromising levels of 30 PSI. Check out the video to learn more.
Promising Results: The Verus oil pan sees significant improvements over OEM, greatly reducing pressure drops.
Order Your Verus Engineering FA24 Oil Pan Today
The 3D-printed version of Verus Engineering's FA24 oil pan is now available.
After years of development, a solution has finally arrived. Verus appreciates your patience and acknowledges that the process has taken longer than expected. Ultimately, we wanted to provide you with the best solution possible. If you’re interested in ordering the 3D-printed version of our FA24 oil pan, please contact [email protected]. Keep an eye out for the cast version coming soon.
Development Update: Verus FA24 Oil Pan Is Now Available!