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Raceline Duratec Sumps
Furyous - 9/3/12 at 08:47 AM

A while ago I was going to order a 10* Duratec sump from Raceline to go with my MX5 gearbox but they only had the standard sumps in stock. The 10* ones were going to be another 4-5 weeks at the time. Fast forward to now, when I've decided I'm ready to order one, and I have a look on their website to find the 10* sumps are now listed. Except they're £108 more than the standard Raceline sump. Can someone explain to me how they could possibly cost so much more?

I'm wondering if I'd get away with using the standard Raceline sump, but I doubt it.

[Edited on 9/3/12 by Furyous]

karlak - 9/3/12 at 09:10 AM

Quite Simple , Supply and Demand I guess.

They have to recoup the design and machining costs against the amount they will Sell. More standard sumps will be sold as opposed to the 10 degree one. Similar to the way some car tyres are more expensive than others, even though they are smaller sizes.

[Edited on 9/3/12 by karlak]

scudderfish - 9/3/12 at 09:25 AM

£465 + VAT = £558..... for a sump?

Is oil starvation an issue you are expecting to have? Will the standard sump not fit in your chassis? Am I asking too many questions?

MkIndy7 - 9/3/12 at 09:55 AM

On our Indy we had a home butchered shortened RWD sump that we won on eBay but with the 10Deg tilt wore a hole in the extra wings that had been added on the sides on an event in Scotland earlier in the year.

We refitted the FWD ST150 sump that came with the engine and ran that for the rest of the year, yes it was low and caught a few times but we did a track day with it on and kept healthy pressures all day no apartment surge problems.

For that price I wouldn't even consider buying one without trying to have the standard one modified or unless absolutely nessacery.

I wonder how much an MX5 sump would be and if there suitable?

Furyous - 9/3/12 at 10:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
£465 + VAT = £558..... for a sump?

Is oil starvation an issue you are expecting to have? Will the standard sump not fit in your chassis? Am I asking too many questions?


The Ford standard sump (should have differentiated between Ford standard and Raceline standard in my first post) gives about 3" of ground clearance. The shortened sump would bring the bottom surface slightly above the bell housing, meaning I would have just over 4" of clearance, which is what I had with the Crossflow. I was going to get the 10* sump because that would be the "proper" thing to do.

The Ford standard sump is aluminium, isn't it? I might have problems getting it cut and welded. I only have a MIG machine and my last attempt at welding aluminium was an abject failure.

I did have a look out for MX5 sumps on ebay a while ago but there weren't any available. I haven't looked recently. I don't know if they would be any shorter than the Ford sump, though.

With regards to design costs, I personally don't see a huge amount of extra work in altering the flat one and having new casting moulds made. But then I've had nothing to do with the process so I don't know what's involved.

MkIndy7 - 9/3/12 at 10:27 AM

Yes the standard Ford sump is Ali but must be quality stuff as the butchered one off eBay had been very sucessfully welded to, just a shame they used such thin plate to make the extra wings out of compared to the really sturdy Ford bits.

I'd guess being so new an MX5 sump would be a dealer job (they may have a pic on the parts computer) think I've tried taking a peek at one on an MX5 before but there hidden by plastic undertrays they must be pretty shallow tho as the MX5 isint particularly tall and has a bonnet bulge aswell.

scudderfish - 9/3/12 at 11:43 AM

Any good? £50

Mazda MX5 Eunos Sump with Sump Plug Bolt and Washer | eBay

MkIndy7 - 9/3/12 at 11:51 AM

quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
Any good? £50

Mazda MX5 Eunos Sump with Sump Plug Bolt and Washer | eBay


Unfortunately not, that's from the older Mazda only series of engines as the Duratec engined ones were only available in 1.8 and 2 litres

pjay - 9/3/12 at 04:00 PM

Hi James - have you tried having a chat with Chris at Raceline. Mention you're a member of a relevant owners club and explain the problem. He's very approachable and may be able to improve the price.

Furyous - 9/3/12 at 09:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by pjay
Hi James - have you tried having a chat with Chris at Raceline. Mention you're a member of a relevant owners club and explain the problem. He's very approachable and may be able to improve the price.


I haven't phoned yet. With the time zone difference from NZ the only time I could reasonably call is 10pm on a Friday night and hope they're sitting by the phone. It's just a little frustrating to have planned for around £450 all this time only to find it's going to be £558.

I think I'll look into modifying the standard sump when I get back in June.