Pros and cons and what are you guys using

I've been looking at these

I've been thinking about the 2nd one there. On a cold start I have ridiculous oil pressure lol. Good topic

I've tried both ways and I recommend the more expensive cartridge type heater. You have to weld a bung into the pan but once you do that you'll have a cleaner setup. If you look around you can find a heater that does not have the cord attached. Having the cord on there all the time can be a hassle.

Never found them to work in cold climates. Not bad if you are racing in 40* weather and trying to thin the oil before initial start up.

How many watts is the In pan heater. I would use that Style for best convenience, but don't know the wattage of it.

The other two, ones 120 watts, Scratch that one, Not Nearly enough watt output. The third one 1000 watts, that's more like it, but it would suck having to press it up against the oil pan, plus that would make it less efficient.


IMO, I wouldnt waste my time with Any of them. Don't see the need unless your racing in Alaska.

They work at -50*F and colder for me?

Need to know the wattage output of the heater your using to know if it will do what you want. 120 watts, just abit over the heat of a light bulb, Not so good. 1500 watts, now that will heat a lot pans up in lots of cold weather.

Know what your buying, and using.

the disadvantage to not having a cord I guess would be messing with the diaper to plug it in.. I don't race in cold weather.. but when I'm not burning e85.. the gas I use likes the motor to be dead cold.. I run synthetic 10w30. It is pretty thick when it's lukewarm. . Maybe I should look into a thinner oil.. or maybe none of it will make a difference..

If you get one, Id want the cord. You run it will it will be most convenient to plug in and disconnect. Lots of diesel trucks have block heaters with cords to convenient spots. Nice, but IMO I don't think you really need or want one. What problems are you having?

I was in a Federated parts store the other day, and saw a heater that went down the dip stick tube. When done heating the oil, pull it out, and replace the dip stick.

this is a heads-up car first one to the Finish Line wins.. I'm looking for E.T... this motor does not have a place to put a dipstick..

I use the probe type, works very well to get the oil to 150 degrees fairly quickly.

As your friend I would suggest a oil heater like this

www.amazon.com/Electric-Countertop-Baske...741&sr=1-53

Yes keep that in trailer and you won't have any issues getting people to help you.

My uncle and I use the probe type, he had me put the all star probe in his pan, 400w, on a super cold morning at a track we race at for 1 wk that is in the high desert, it's a life saver. Takes a little bit tho to get it up to temp. I am almost finished with my w8 mill, stef's alum pan, I got a stef's alum probe for it, it is 500w. Should do the job in a little less time. Makes warming up in the early am a whole lot better, just our findings.

guess I should read the link a little more carefully before I open it expecting some amazing tech info

wonder how a Cummins block heater would do? The cord attaches with a screw on fitting. Might be he77 to pay for accessibility, but it's a thought....

currently looking to see if I can find one the same size at the drink plug

I've used the jegs version as I run methanol. I dont use mine anymore it was very slow to make much heat. They also burned the pad in my belly pan. I now use a primer plus that I built, it works great! Its a breeze to start and build heat nicely. On my new motor Ive added block heater freeze plugs