Toyobaru Fans, Rejoice: The GR86 and BRZ Oil Pressure Problem Finally Has a Real Fix

The Problem

We're pretty sure every Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ owner is well aware of the oil pressure issues in their cars. It's also a cautionary tale to any prospective buyers of these cars, whether new or used.

Let's be honest, the Toyobaru twins are destined to do laps around the track. They're great handlers, but as previously reported, the second-generation models struggle to keep consistent oil pressure in high-G situations. High-speed sweeping bends are not the engine's best friend, as proven by Brian Armstrong, the person behind the YouTube channel 900BRZ.

R&D Time

Armstrong identified the most likely root cause of the oil pressure problem. A good chunk of the oil starvation stemmed from the oil pump pickup tube, which allowed oil to spill onto the timing cover instead of being redirected to the oil pan.

To cure that, the oil pan needed a bit of a redesign. It had to be done in a way that directs oil towards the pan and reduces the risk of it spilling elsewhere. Verus Engineering saw Armstrong's results and fabricated the part to maintain stable pressures.

Problem Solved

Verus Engineering developed a 3D-printed aluminum oil pan that uses baffles. Baffling is the use of panels or vanes installed inside equipment to control the flow of liquids — in this case, oil. Verus worked with Armstrong to build the final product and was put to the test.

With the aftermarket oil pan installed, oil pressure and levels remained stable, even during track use. Oil capacity also increased to 7 quarts, ensuring lubrication even at higher corner speeds. The pan is a different shape from the stock unit and custom-fit to slot right in the GR 86's and BRZ's factory exhaust manifolds. That's for those who'd prefer to keep their car emissions compliant.

Great news then for track folks with any of the Toyobaru twins. The product is available for order on the Verus Engineering website, and it's yours for $999.95. It's not cheap, but it's sure better than blowing up an engine.

View the full article