Donkervoort P24 RS Engine Uses Dry-Sump and 3D-Printed Manifolds for Optimal Airflow
Donkervoort details how its P24 RS supercar's engine employs a dry-sump lubrication system and custom 3D-printed components to maximize airflow and performance.
- 6 cm
- 6 kg
What Happened
Donkervoort engineers lowered the P24 RS's engine by 6 centimeters using a dry-sump lubrication system, which not only allowed for a flat floor design but also lowered the center of gravity for sharper handling and better balance. The dry-sump system is essential because the car generates extreme lateral forces that would cause a conventional wet-sump setup to fail under braking, acceleration, or hard cornering.
To ensure reliable oil flow in all conditions, the company designed a dual-pump layout with an internal pressure pump and an external suction pump. Much of the plumbing is integrated into a 3D-printed housing, reducing weight, clutter, and complexity.
On the exhaust side, Donkervoort uses 3D-printed stainless-steel manifolds shaped to match custom Van der Lee turbochargers, resulting in sharper throttle response, lower temperatures, and a weight saving of 6 kilograms compared to cast alternatives. The intake manifold is made from carbon fiber and aluminum, further reducing weight and improving performance.
Why this matters
The engineering approach demonstrates how advanced oil control and additive manufacturing enable extreme handling and throttle response in a low-volume sports car.
Terms in This Story
- Dry-sump lubrication
- A lubrication system where oil is stored in a separate tank rather than in the engine sump, allowing the engine to be mounted lower and providing consistent oil flow under high lateral forces.
- Wet-sump lubrication
- A standard lubrication system where oil is stored in a pan at the bottom of the engine, which can cause oil starvation during extreme cornering.
- 3D-printed manifold
- An exhaust or intake manifold made using additive manufacturing, allowing complex shapes that optimize airflow and save weight.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.