Cutting and rewelding cast aluminum

So I'm considering an aftermarket oil pan for my track car. This oil pan is slightly larger in capacity and made of cast aluminum. However, it sits a little lower than I'd like (b/c of larger capacity).

I was wondering if the cast aluminum could reliably be cut (sectioning off about 1") and re-welded?

Would I risk warping the whole thing by having it sectioned and re-welded?

Thanks in advance.

To answer your question, yes you can cut and weld cast aluminum, people hack up cast aluminum intakes, water pumps, heads, etc. and weld them back together all the time. Warpage won't be a problem if the welder knows what they're doing. Bolt/clamp it to a (thick/heavy!) flat and avoid getting much heat into it, not much to it.

So are you getting it because you want more capacity or because you want a cast aluminum pan? It seems to me that if you're going to buy an aftermarket pan then modify it, you'd be better off just starting with your stock pan or from scratch.

Bryce

I've done it. It's not bad.

Nashco wrote: To answer your question, yes you can cut and weld cast aluminum, people hack up cast aluminum intakes, water pumps, heads, etc. and weld them back together all the time. Warpage won't be a problem if the welder knows what they're doing. Bolt/clamp it to a (thick/heavy!) flat and avoid getting much heat into it, not much to it. So are you getting it because you want more capacity or because you want a cast aluminum pan? It seems to me that if you're going to buy an aftermarket pan then modify it, you'd be better off just starting with your stock pan or from scratch. Bryce

Thanks for the info.

I'm thinking of doing it b/c this pan seals better and maintains a leak proof seal longer than the OEM pan.

Anyone know a good welder who can do that around N. Cali? :)