Update #8 - GR86 / BRZ High-Capacity Oil Pan: Assembly, Quality Inspection, and Shipping Update

We have received a partial shipment of our high-capacity oil pans for the FA24 Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, and assembly is now underway. Each pan is being inspected, assembled, packaged, and shipped as quickly as possible. Orders are being fulfilled in chronological order, with some flexibility for customers who have urgent timing requirements.

Before assembly, every oil pan goes through a visual inspection followed by a pressure leak test. Each casting is pressurized to 30 psi and submerged in water to check for air bubbles. This allows us to confirm that the pan is sealed before the baffle system and hardware are installed.

The baffles are laser-cut components that are deburred before assembly. The trap doors are installed with rivets, then the completed baffle assembly is installed into the oil pan using Loctite and lock washers to help prevent internal fasteners from loosening over time. Once assembly is complete, the pan is packed with the required hardware, shipping materials, and included items before being staged for delivery.

Installation instructions will be released for the oil pan, and there are a few specific tools and consumables customers should prepare in advance. Because of the pan design, installation requires an extended ball-end 5 mm hex socket. The exposed extended hex portion should be at least 4.75 inches long. We recommend using a small magnet on the tool during installation so the socket head cap screws stay retained while being guided into position. Dropping a bolt inside the oil pan during installation can be frustrating, so this small step makes the process much easier.

For the internal oil pan bolts, we recommend Loctite 243 rather than the more common Loctite 242. Loctite 243 offers better oil resistance and a higher temperature rating, which makes it more appropriate for this application. RTV will also be required during installation, as with the factory-style oil pan sealing process.

The pan is designed to minimize the need for future disassembly. The internal trap doors are metal and maintenance-free, and the center drain plug is positioned directly below the oil pickup. This allows the pickup and mesh screen to be inspected and cleaned through the drain plug opening during oil changes, rather than requiring the pan to be removed for routine inspection.

We are including rubber sealing washers with each order, with material selection based on climate. The standard brown washer is made from FKM, commonly known as Viton, and is suitable for regions that do not see extreme low temperatures. For colder climates, we are also using an HNBR washer with a lower temperature rating of -40°C. The main concern is cold storage in extreme winter conditions. Below the material’s rated temperature, minor seepage may be possible at the drain plugs, but this would typically be limited to a small amount over time rather than a significant leak. Once the engine is running and warmed up, the washer will be operating well within its intended range.

All oil pan shipments require signature on delivery. This is to confirm that the package reaches the customer directly or is received through the carrier’s pickup process. If you will not be home, please plan accordingly or use the carrier’s access point options where available.

This shipment represents only part of the first production run. Customers who do not receive shipping confirmation immediately will be included as additional castings arrive and go through the same inspection, assembly, and packaging process.