Modifying sump

[darinz]

I'm just looking at changing the pick up to the rear. The problem is those two braces that go from the side of the motor to the trans. Can they be done away with, taking into account I have a T04Z bolted on as well? I'd like to remove/modify those braces so that I can make a really large sump with rear pick up so that I can climb (under winch) really steep hills. Any ideas?

[T45]

Here is a thread on modifying the oil sump.

zerothread/213999

[darinz]

Thanks for that, but I've already read that and is a lot of help. I'm assuming from that thread that you can do away with the extra braces? I just wonder how much they actually do?

[ultrapulse]

Hi, in my case I made a heavy bellhousing to act as a load-spreader, keeping everything rigid. Its "only" 6.5ish kg so the extra few kilos didnt bother me. (The chev one off the t56 was only around 2.5-3 and very thin, couldnt believe it). The std vh45 one looks very well braced to me. I however was going to make up braces using one bellhousing lower bolt instead of the two, due to sump proximity. If i dont get time..well...Making a brace here would be good, but as long as you are careful sitting the engine/gearbox combo on the ground or lowering the engine into the car I think all should be fine without these. If you are serious off-roading this engine then you probably should fit some braces in my opinion.

[darinz]

I'm now thinking about getting a sump made that will bolt to the bell housing. It is going to get a very hard time, ie jumps etc so don't want to risk it. We do everything from winching through to around 160k and a comp. is 2 to 5 days so strength is everything.