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With the typical factory windage tray it would seem to limit the amount of oil pushed up into the rear of the rotating assembly on a hard launch, also to the front on hard braking. The screen system I would think would drop the oil out faster during the run for more oil return into the pan. How much power do you think is lost during the launch with the rotating assembly fighting all that oil?





I don't think that trays, especially on a small block, are tight-fitting enough to keep much oil that sloshes back from making its way above the tray anyway. The sump should be baffled to help keep oil there contained and the oil level drops a bit as rpm come up because it's getting pumped. The back "ledge" however, is somewhat an oil trap on accelleration.

One also has to consider the fact that oil is also draining down from the heads and cam in addition to "leaking" out from the rod and main bearings. Without proper drainage, a tray can literally "catch" that oil and keep it caught up in the windage/vortex. That's why you hear about builders emphasizing proper clearances and oil restrictions to the rockers. The trick is to know how much to restrict so you don't starve anything up top. Every little bit helps. It's just a matter of how important a few more HP is and what you are willing to gamble - just like draining some engine oil or differential fluid for a heads-up run for a couple of hundredths in ET.