Hi Waynne
Sorry to contradict you, but I don't think that you quite understand about dry sumps.
The major difference between a wet and dry sump is where the oil is stored. In a wet system, it is kept in the sump under the engine. This is simple cheap and convenient. However, as you say, one of the downsides is that the crank is splashing around in it, sapping power. This can be alleviated to a great extent by fitting a windage tray. This is a sheet of steel that is cut to fit close to the crank separating the oil from the crank.
Another problem with the wet sump is oil surge under acceleration and cornering where there is a risk of the oil pickup being starved of oil. This, again, can be alleviated by fitting baffles, but it is not ideal.
A dry sump is a system where the oil is stored remote from the engine. It has two oil pumps, usually built into one unit. One scavenges the oil from a small collecting area built into the dry sump under the crank and pumps it to a remote tank. A second pump returns the oil to the engine.
The advantages of the dry system are many. No power loss due to the crank running in it. No risk of the oil pickup running dry due to acceleration or cornering. More oil can be stored allowing for greater control of temperatures. Th oil can, if required, be run though a remote oil cooler. Oil pressure can be greater, but too much pressure is almost as bad as too little!
The is no need to check the oil any more often than with a wet system. Oil changes are no more frequent than with the wet sump system.
Dry sump systems are the best but expensive. A typical system for a Ford Zetec will cost you around £850 from Burton's.
!
