Just wanted to know what would be the pro's & con's of using the Patrol RB30 sump over the VL sump when doing an engine conversion . I've noticed alot of people use the patrol sump when fitting an RB to an LJ Torana ( the bowl of the sump has to go toward the back ) , & have noticed that I have to do something similar with my Gemi . Does the Patrol sump already have the bowl at the rear ? Any input anyone can give me would be much appreciated . Regards George .

So are you saying that people are using the patrol sump unmodded for the conversion? and are they using the standard pick up or is it the patrols one? I would be really curious to find this out as im doing a NA RB30E conversion to my old HJ ute and the standard sumps hit the crossmember. The converted sumps are available through the castlemaine rod shop but they used to be 550 but yesterday i got the quote of $650 (and they are ugly f**kers) so i ll be doing my own and using their mounts. But if some one could tell us if the sump for the patrol would suit and save me alot of time i would be most appriecitive.

http://www.calaisturbo.com.au/showthread.php?p=93540

the patrol sump is backwards, won't fit in a vl, but it might work with a torana or early holden.

The GQ sump had the bowl right at the rear of the engine. It is a very deep bowl (actually 2 pieces welded together) which may cause ground clearance issues, esp if your vehicle is lowered. Also has quite a bulge in the centre of the sump which may or may not fit your crossmember. If you need to mod the sump then most likely you will need to mod the pickup as well. Ref photo: They are expensive to buy new - eg $4-500 for sump + $80 for pickup. Extremely difficult to find second hand and also expensive enough to make new prices seem reasonable. Remember this wasn't a popular model so parts are scarce, eg sump above was the only one at a huge 4x4 yard on central coast, the hit had actually peeled the sump open a bit and they still weren't prepared to separate it from the engine (rough cost if they did $200-300). IMO the GQ sump is a much better start for a rear sump, but if it's not a bolt in proposition you'd really have to consider modding the RB30 sump to suit. You can get a fair bit of fab work for $500.... I have one at home and can take more pics if you need them. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Just to correct the above picture, the GQ patrol used the RB30S not the RB30E.

ok thanks for that Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Cheer for that info guys i might have a bit of a hunt around and see if i cant track one down if not i ll just the sump just under the splash tray and reverse the sump reweld it and then change the pick up to suit a fair bit of stuffing around but its cheaper and more interesting that way. And i did know the rb30 in the patrol was different as it had a carby setup but didnt realise the name. Cheers again guys.

The RB sump pans arent symmetric in any direction, and they have specially shaped bulges to accomodate the crank girdle, so its not quite as easy as cut, flip reweld. After having mucked around trying to reverse a RB30 sump, my advice is to cut the pan off, throw it away and fold up your own pan. eg like what duz360 has done a real neat job of here:

Cheers mate for that I ll see how i go hopefully I ll be able to do it in the next couple of weeks and a ill have to post some pics up when i do it. DUZ360 did quite the neat job right there. What did he put the motor in that he needed the conversion. Also a couple of question in regard to his conversion. How does the belled bottom help? Did he remove the splash try completely if so why? Was the pickup modified and if so how and do you have pics of it? The final question is that pan quite shallow or am i imagining things? Thanks for the help

Those were just pics I remember duz360 posting a while back but don't know anything more about the conversion. You'll have to get answers from duz.

I started modifying the sump this arvo . Not as hard as i thought , cut the sump , flipped it around , tacked it back on . Used an oxy torch and ball pein hammer to fix up the bits that didn't line up . I might use the patrol pick up & shorten it . Still scratching my head as to what i'll do about the dip stick . Any idea's ?????? maybe have to look at what the patrols have got again .

Make sure you take piccies if you can mate i would be super appreicitive if i could see how you went.

AFAIK there is a second dipstick hole at the rear of all the RB blocks. Its blanked with a plug that you need to punch out.

Champion , that's exactly what I wanted to hear . I'll confirm this tomorrow

Just wanted to let all know that are interested that there is a spot toward the rear of the block for a dip stick .......

Told ya, I knew RB20 had it, just not sure about the 30

yep it certainly is there i did the same thing as gem and went off and checked it on my dummy block yay thats gonna save me some many problems. and how progess going on your sump gem?

The sump is almost done . A workmate has just about finished brazing it back together , I'll clean it up with a 4 inch grinder & linishing disc . Should look factory when it's done . I might even increase the capacity once the motor has been dummied in and mounts made up etc .

Awesome sounds good hope youve got some piccies for the rest of us.