Accu..what?

Before I can start fitting the oil cooler pipework I need to do some planning. It has always been my intention to fit an Accusump. What's one of them then? Well in the words of the website....

"The Accusump, the original automotive oil accumulator, is designed to provide the engine with oil pressure before the starter is even engaged. An Accusump is a cylinder shaped aluminum storage container that acts as a reservoir of pressurized oil, to be released when there is a drop in the oil pressure. The Accusump is connected to the pressure side of an engine's oiling system and is charged by the engines own oil pump.Its simple, efficient design revolves around a hydraulic piston separating an air pre-charge side and the oil reservoir side. On the oil side of the Accusump it has an outlet that goes into the engine's oiling system, controlled by a valve. On the air side it's equipped with a pressure gauge and a Schrader air pre-load valve."

As well as pre-oiling the engine before starting it can also supply oil during periods of harsh cornering or acceleration when the oil pickup in the sump may become uncovered causing a drop in oil pressure.

"On initial start-up when the valve on the oil side is opened the pressurized oil is released into the engine and therefore pre-lubricating the engine prior to start-up. The Accusump holds whatever oil pressure the engine has at the time that it is shut off. After the engine is started and the oil pump has taken over, oil is pumped back into the Accusump. This moves the piston back and pressurizes the Accusump until it equalizes with engine's oil pressure. While driving, if the engine's oil pressure is interrupted for any reason, the Accusump releases its oil reserve again, keeping the engine lubricated until the engine's oil pressure comes back to normal. This release of oil could last from 15 to 60 seconds, depending on the size and speed of the engine. In racing or hard driving conditions, the Accusump will automatically fill and discharge when needed as you corner, accelerate and brake."

CHARGING

DISCHARGING

There's a bit of extra plumbing involved to incorporate the Accusump so I need to carefully plan where it will fit.