eman930

So I'd really like to update my oil pan so I can install a factory oil level sender , can the pan just be swapped for a late model? Also besides suspension what other things can be swapped to late model or turbo S, to make improvements in the 1986 model??

gpr8er

I built a turbo from an 86na and swapped virtually every piece over from a 87 turbo wreck I bought.

Really there's nothing that can't be updated to the later cars, it's all bolt on. Just a lot of work. The 86 is a unique car in a lot of it's parts.

For the oil level sender it's not just "simply" swapping the pan. You will need the pick up and later engine harness in good condition (hen's teeth) and a later DME.

txhokie4life

Can't you just tap the oil pan?

I have an 86 down for repairs
Plan to tap for a second pressure sender and temp
Gauge
While keeping regular mag drain plug

Mike

CurtP

You'll also need the main wiring harness (the one that runs through the inside of the car) and an '87+ 951 instrument cluster. There's a couple of other changes that will need to be done too.

Of course, the big question is why? Another sender to fail, another spot for oil to leak. Oil pickup and oil pan baffle is different as well.

I have an '87 with an '86 main harness, '87 engine harness and a new '88+ engine bay harness. I've removed the oil level sensor, brake pad wear/ABS wiring (among other things).

eman930

I'd just make my own wiring to the sensor, and run it to a light on my dash where my boost controls are, should be easy.. So the 87 oil pickup and return are different then the 86??

CurtP

The bottom of the pan is different. The pan from my '87 engine is smooth with a slightly shallower pickup. The '86 pan I used has a round, shallow sump slightly larger than the pickup. The oil pickup brace tube is the same. Personally, I think the '86 has a better pan, but it can't really make that much difference.

The '86 cluster is missing the low oil indicator. If you were going to run a separate wire, you'll have to map it out on the wiring diagram. I don't know if it goes directly to the instrument cluster or not. As for the wiring harness differences, where the engine harness connects to the main harness, they changed the plug. '86 has a 4-pin square connector, '87+ has a flat, 8-pin connector. Probably your best bet is to get an '87 engine harness and cut/solder your old 4-pin connector and run the extra wire to the cluster. I just made an adapter so I could run the '86 main harness with an '87 engine harness. If you replace your main harness, then you'll have to pull back the cooling fan resistor wires since those were relocated (under the dash on the '86, in the cowl on '87+). You'll also have to bypass the airbag connector (it cuts ignition if the airbag deploys). I'm sure there's some other changes that need to be done too, but they're escaping me at the moment. But again, why would you want to go through all this trouble? It would be easier to fix all the oil leaks and not have to worry about it.

Here's a picture of my adapter.

Tedro951

Out of 6,491 mods that I've considered for mine, the oil level sender isn't on the list. Sways are probably another cheap, easy upgrade from an S.

eman930

Yea, I'm not talking about integrating it into the factory harness, I have the factory sender, then run my own wiring from the sender to the panel I made for my boost/AF/MBC setup, it honestly seems easier then what you guys are thinking, and the sender is just a on/off switch, it only needs a fused power and a ground, should be a basic circuit

North Coast Cab

I have a late pan and pick-up if you're interested send me a PM