Barnes Oil Pumps

Barnes Systems Oil Pumps: Race-Proven Engineering Since 1966

When top engine builders demand oil delivery they can trust at full race speeds, they turn to Barnes Systems. Founded in 1966 by Al Barnes, the company began in a Redondo Beach, California garage with a singular mission: build a dry sump oil pump capable of meeting the brutal demands of high-performance racing engines. That commitment to precision and reliability has never wavered, and today Barnes Systems stands as one of the most respected names in the oil pump category worldwide.

A Legacy of Dry Sump Innovation

Barnes didn't just enter the oil pump market — they redefined it. Al Barnes approached development by first scrutinizing competing pumps, cataloging their weaknesses, and engineering solutions from the ground up. Among the brand's pioneering achievements: Barnes was among the first oil pump manufacturers to machine O-ring grooves into all pump sections, eliminating the need for silicone sealants used by most competitors. They also introduced T-slots into surface plates to relieve trapped oil between gears, reducing pump pulsation and excess wear — and pioneered the use of a steel drive gear paired with a bronze idler gear to minimize metal-on-metal wear.

These engineering firsts are not marketing claims — they are the foundation of a product line that has been trusted at the highest levels of motorsport for decades, including NASCAR, Late-Models, USAC Sprints and Midgets, World of Outlaws, Marine Racing, and Drag Racing.

The Barnes 9017 and 9117 Product Lines

Barnes oil pumps are available in a broad range of dry sump configurations. The 9017 Series belt-drive pumps range from single-stage to five-stage designs, with pressure and scavenge stages measuring 1.375 inches — engineered for maximum oil scavenging capacity in high-revving engines. These pumps are machined from billet aluminum and are available in a variety of stage combinations to suit specific engine and chassis requirements.

The flagship 9117 Cam Drive Series takes dry sump engineering even further. Designed specifically for sprint car applications, the 9117 features an integral oil filter mounted directly into the pump's mounting flange, allowing pressure oil to be internally routed to the filter — eliminating extra lines, reducing overall weight, and simplifying the oiling system plumbing. The 9117 also incorporates high-efficiency rotors, an integral pressure bypass, a gun-drilled idler shaft, and a magnesium filter mount as standard equipment. These pumps are trusted and used by some of the top sprint car engine builders in the country.

USA-Made Quality with CNC Precision

Every Barnes oil pump is proudly engineered, manufactured, and assembled in the USA. Barnes uses the latest CAD design software alongside CNC machining and CMM inspection equipment to ensure that every component meets exacting tolerances. The result is an oil pump built to deliver season after season of trouble-free operation — a standard that Al Barnes set in the beginning: no pump leaves the shop unless it's good enough to run in their own engine.

Whether you're building a sprint car, a late model stock car, a drag car, or a high-performance street engine, Barnes Systems oil pumps offer the engineering depth and race-proven durability that serious builders demand. Browse the full lineup to find the right dry sump system for your application, or visit the complete Barnes Systems brand page to explore their full catalog.