🛢️ North Westy High-Capacity Cast Aluminum Six-Quart Oil Pan

For Subaru Conversions in Vanagons — and other clever engine swaps that need ground clearance and oil capacity.

Built for Vans. Proven Beyond Them.

The North Westy Cast Aluminum Six-Quart Oil Pan is a premium, high-capacity oil pan originally designed for Subaru engine conversions in Volkswagen Vanagons—but its smart dimensions and durable construction make it equally at home in other engine swaps and custom builds, including:

• Porsche 911 & 912 conversions

• Air-cooled VW projects

• Dune buggies & off-road builds

• Custom Subaru-powered applications

With a depth of just 4.25 inches, this pan maintains excellent ground clearance while dramatically increasing oil capacity and thermal stability. That means protection without penalty—exactly how upgrades should work.

Why This Oil Pan Exists

Subaru engines work harder in heavier vehicles like Vanagons. Add long highway days, mountain grades, heat, or off-road travel, and oil temperature management becomes critical.

This oil pan solves that problem the right way:

• More oil

• Better cooling

• Greater reliability

• No loss of clearance

🔩 Key Features & Benefits

🟠 Six-Quart Capacity (Yes, It Matters)

Compared to stock Subaru oil pans, the additional capacity:

• Improves oil cooling and heat dissipation

• Reduces oil starvation risk

• Provides a more stable oil supply under load

• Extends oil life on long trips

For Vanagons especially, this is one of the most impactful reliability upgrades you can make.

🟠 Shallow 4.25″ Depth = Real Ground Clearance

Despite the added volume, the pan stays compact:

• Only 4.25 inches deep

• Excellent clearance for lowered vans, lifted vans, and everything in between

• Works well in off-road, street, and hybrid builds

This is why it also works so well in Porsche conversions, air-cooled VW projects, and custom applications where space is tight.

🟠 Locally Cast High-Strength Aluminum (PNW Made)

This oil pan is cast locally in the Pacific Northwest using high-strength aluminum alloy, not low-grade overseas castings.

Why that matters:

• Fewer impurities and internal voids

• Consistent grain structure

• Higher resistance to cracking and heat stress

• Better long-term durability in demanding environments

Critical engine parts deserve better than mystery metal.

🟠 Stock-Style Rear Oil Fill (Vanagon Done Right)

One of our favorite details:

• Oil fill location mirrors the factory Vanagon setup

• Accessed from behind the license plate

• Clean, functional, and unmistakably “Vanagon”

It keeps the engine bay tidy and preserves the original feel that Vanagon owners appreciate.

🟠 Integrated Dipstick & Fill Tube

Borrowing inspiration from factory Vanagons:

• Dipstick integrated into the fill tube

• Easy oil checks without opening the engine bay

• Practical, familiar, and road-trip friendly

It’s one of those features you don’t think about—until you have it.

🟠 CNC-Machined, Anodized Aluminum Fill Tube

The oil fill tube isn’t an afterthought:

• CNC-turned aluminum

• Anodized for corrosion resistance

• Uses AN fittings and stainless-steel Teflon hose

• Leak-free, heat-resistant, and built for real use

This system holds up under high temperatures, heavy loads, and long miles.

🔧 Installation Notes & Compatibility

• Designed for Subaru engine conversions

• North Westy Stainless Steel Engine Mount is required
  (These components are engineered to work together for proper fitment and clearance.)

The oil pan and engine mount form a matched system—no guesswork, no compromises.

Who This Pan Is For

• Vanagon owners running Subaru engines

• Builders who value cooling, clearance, and reliability

• Long-distance travelers and off-road explorers

• Anyone tired of rusted steel pans and marginal oil capacity

• Custom builders looking for a compact, high-quality aluminum pan

The North Westy Philosophy

North Westy has been designing and building Vanagon solutions since 2009, guided by real-world experience, engineering discipline, and a deep respect for how these vehicles are actually used.

This oil pan wasn’t designed to look good on a shelf—it was designed to:

• Survive long highway climbs

• Handle heat and load

• Protect engines far from home

• And quietly do its job for years

That’s what good parts do.

Bottom Line

If you’re running a Subaru engine in a Vanagon—or building something creative that needs high capacity without sacrificing clearance—the North Westy Cast Aluminum Six-Quart Oil Pan is a serious upgrade that pays off every mile.

👉 Pair it with the North Westy Stainless Engine Mount for a complete, purpose-built solution.