I'm not trying to be obtuse but have you looked at an Aviaid
oil pan? If so fine.. I don't understand the reference, nor would I be able to come up with an example of a more advanced pan for an enthusiast or weekend racer, or even a professional. I have tried.
My biggest objection to this point over owning this pan was price. California residents can have a pan from Aviaid for $587. plus 8.75% and $20 s/h.. Thats $659. which includes the windage tray and
oil pick up. I got mine at
www.gessford.com for $595. delivered $575, and $20 to plug the
oil return line ports. No shipping, no tax.
The old grouch (for what it's worth) as well as many professional racers in NASCAR, NHRA, NHBA, and SCCA use this pan on their race engines of which a $35k Shelby Aluminum FE is the least expensive.. As for being a "high volume production piece" I ordered mine 3 weeks ago.. I think it will be here in mid March as it had to be made..
Don't misunderstand I never wanted an Aviaid oil pan. I have an aluminum pan on my 428.. By many standards, perhaps yours too, a baffeled aluminum pan is a technological improvement over steel. It's lighter, cools better and looks really cool..
It will also fracture well before a steel pan.. I found as the budget for the engine it is going on grew exponentially so did my concern over keeping the oil where it belonged. The answer I kept coming up with was the same.. So if you know of a better more advanced pan let us know.. Obviously they exist in certain forms, exotic alloys, billet pieces and one of a kinds.. But what else is there?