Update: We conducted a test with the prototype Killer B baffle and published the results here:    • BRZ/GR86 FA24 Killer B Prototype Baff...  

In this video, I share the findings from months of testing the engine in the second generation BRZ and GR86. I demonstrate consistent, reproducible oil pressure drops occurring in right-hand corners, especially in sustained corners, or when coupled with elevation change, or rapid lateral direction change.

Notably, I show that these pressure drops are possible even with very minor modifications, on low-grip tires, and with non-advanced drivers.

In testing and making this video, I've tried to be an objective an unbiased as possible. I love this platform and want to be able to continue to enjoy my car for years to come.

Thanks to Joe McGuigan, Miles K, and @nostreetracing86 for driving and/or using their cars as test vehicles. Thank you to Killer B Motorsport for developing the prototype part I volunteered to test. I’m receiving no compensation for any of this work. I just want to find a solution to the reliability problems we’re seeing with this engine.

Oil pressure data logging setup:
- Pressure sensor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
- BSPT to NTP Adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
- Custom MCU to inject data into CAN: https://github.com/zeroomega/canmim
- Aim Solo 2 DL

Killer B Motorsport thread on their prototype baffle design:
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...

Frequently Asked Questions:

What has the oil level during the tests?
I should have mentioned this in methodology. It was at the full mark on the dipstick or just above. I we did not overfill by a meaningful amount in this test because we wanted the test to be as close to manufacturer recommendations as possible while still being comfortable running them on track.

Can you reproduce this test with an oil overfill?
Since publishing this video, I’ve installed the baffle, so I can reproduce the same test. I will be continuing to test with the baffle.

I only drive on the street. Should I worry about this?
I’d personally not worry about this unless I’m regularly pulling 1+ G of lateral acceleration. If you are not driving hard and causing the tires to squeal, I it’s extremely unlikely you will have an issue.

Does this also apply to WRX FA24?
I do not think we can extrapolate these results to the WRX because there are significant differences to the oiling system to supply oil to the turbo and to the sump.

Can you reproduce this test with xWxx motor oil?
Because I'm self-funding these tests, I'm not going to run tests that aren't representative of scenarios that I actually think will be viable. 0W20 oil will cause lower nominal pressures at temperature and that is going in the wrong direction. In very hot conditions, 5W40 may be appropriate, but these drops are of such a large magnitude that I don't believe small viscosity changes will resolve them.

Why not just use an Accusump?
That may still be a direction I go down in the future, but if it's possible to achieve greater reliability with baffling, it makes sense to do that before adding band-aids like accumulators, which add complexity and additional failure points.

00:00 - Start
00:40 - TL;DR: Findings
01:38 - Overview
02:10 - Testing Methodology
04:25 - Drivers
04:56 - Oil Pressure Instrumentation
05:58 - FA24 Oiling Fundamentals
07:19 - Evidence: Intro
07:57 - Thunderhill West: Turn 5
09:43 - Thunderhill West: Turn 8
11:43 - Thunderhill East: Turn 3-5
12:53 - Thunderhill East: Turn 14-15
13:48 - Thunderhill 5-Mile: Turn 9C
14:12 - Conclusions & Theories
15:14 - Next Steps
15:56 - Lap Around Thunderhill West