I was going to install a windage tray in my 500 cubic B block and my engine builder suggested not to. He said in his experience the windage tray does more harm than good in a big block mopar, actually slowing the time it takes for the oil to get to the pan. He said Chevy yes, mopar no. I was wanting to get others thoughts on this.
Nothing wrong with challenging conventional wisdom.
I don't know anyone that is serious about performance that does not use one, unless they are using something else in its place that is more sophisticated. But that does not really prove anything.
I would argue that Chrysler engineers did put them in performance applications. Logic suggests that if they did not have clear evidence that a tray helped, they wouldn't have installed them. Being in the manufacturing sector for over 40 year has proven to me that no company would add a nickel to the cost of production for nothing meaningful, or measurable.
I believe there has been documented dyno testing that a tray helps on a BBM, but just because you or the rest of use cannot locate them does not mean they do not exist. BMM trays have been used for 50 years. Most testing was probably done 40 years ago. Until you've researched all of the performance magazines since 1970, it would be silly to conclude that none exist.
Did you or your guy make the comparison statement between BBM and SBC oil pans? If it was him that made the statement, I would be a little concerned. Look at the difference between the two pans and I think it is obvious that the oil to crankshaft difference is about the same between the two.
Finally, do you have proof or evidence that it hurts performance, or any other key aspect of the engine operation other than from this guy?
For me, the indirect evidence and logic suggest to me that it does not hurt to have a tray, and maybe it helps.
If you find out different, let us know.
