LS1FIRE

iTrader: (1)

Hello yall i have a 98 T/A i and plan on doing a cam swap very soon. I have 57000 miles on the car. Is it ok to run the stock oil pump after a cam swap? Also is it neccesary to unbolt the engine mounts and lift the engine up to do the swap? Is a new oil pan gasket necesary? Is there any other people with 98s running the stock oil pump with a cam without any problems? some info would be very helpful. Thanks

Cal

iTrader: (1)

Yes, no, no, yes.

Ha ha. You could put an LS6 pump in there since it is easy to do at the same time as a cam swap, but be damn careful of the infamous O-ring. PM me if you want a deal on a stock LS6 pump.

ZR2877

I'm getting a LS6 pump installed this weekend. The oil pump in my 98 hasn't showed any problems but I'm gonna go ahead and replace it anyway. Just for peace of mind.

badjuju342

iTrader: (3)

For just a little over 100.00 , you'd be crazy to not is install the LS6 pump. Cheap insurance and it's right there when swapping the cam.

HAMRHEAD

iTrader: (8)

Swap in a new one since it is all apart anyway. It's called peace of mind!

Dave F

the only real gaskets that need replacing are the head gaskets (and bolts). I see no problem with running your OEM pump.

btw, according to my parts CD (from ebay), EVERY ls1/ls6 from 97-on up has EXACTLY THE SAME OIL PUMP. They may have made production changes, but according to the catalog, the LS6 uses the same pump (although they list is separately, has same part number).

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

The oil pump has definately not stayed the same since 97. Every time a new revision is released, the new part number becomes the replacement part for the old part. The oil pumps have changed to their third part number. The current replacement oil pump for a 97 LS1 has the same part number as a new LS2 oil pump. Food for thought.

DrkPhx

iTrader: (15)

Please tell us what the differences are between the years. Everyone keeps saying to switch to the LS6 pump, but I have yet to see any proof it's better.GM has a tendency to change part numbers on the same exact part, without actually changing the part itself.

To answer the original question; leave it alone if it's not broke. Changing the oil pump on a F-Body with the engine in the car is a PITA. My 98 oil pump has 65K miles and 130 plus track passes with zero problems. The only time I would switch to a new pump is with a completely new engine.

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

I dont know any of the specifics. But I do know that MANY ls1 oil pumps have failed taking out the whole shortblock with it. I believe it had to do with the oil bypass sticking open and allowing oil to simply bypass going through the motor. The ls6 oil pump fixed this problem and far fewer motors have bit the dust because of it. I do not know what differences there are with the ls2 oil pump.

DrkPhx

iTrader: (15)

That makes sense. I wish GM would sell the relief valve separate; but they don't.

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

It could be a problem with the valve's bore in which case the oil pump housing would need to replaced. Im not saying that this is the case, just playing the devils advocate. SDPC sells regular ls6 oil pumps for 80 and maybe some other places can even get them cheaper... its not a bad pice for some added insurance. I already have the ls6 oil pump in my motor from the factory, but ill be replacing it along with the timing chain simply because of their age, and the3 fact that ill be right there when i do my cam swap

ZR2877

As GuitsBoy said SDPC sells them for $80 that's where I got mine from. Should be arriving tomorrow. SDPC is a sponsor too.

PREDATOR-Z

If he is guetting a cam, he will change the chain.
If he changes the chain, he will have to remove the pump, so it's a pita in any case.
Change the pump.

DrkPhx

iTrader: (15)

He doesn't need to completely remove the chain to install a cam. Like I said if it works fine, leave it alone. It's too much of a PITA to put a new one in just for the sake of putting a new one in.

Cal

iTrader: (1)

Yeah but most replace the stock chain with a cam. That thing is so small it looks like it came off a 10-speed bicycle. I wouldn't trust it after putting in heavy valve springs. So he might as well change the pump. Just watch out for the O-ring as I said before.

bad0211secws6

iTrader: (6)

definitely replace the pump with the ls6 and a new style ls2 chain your new cam depending on what your gettin usually make more power above 6000rpm which is where youll need that better oil pump

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

If you do decide to replace the oil pump, replace the o-ring at the same time. If you're going through all the trouble, the extra couple seconds to get a fresh o-ring in place is worth it.


-Mike

hourang

iTrader: (6)

i was in the same situation, same year, same mileage. i bought the parts to change the pump, the chain i bought woulda been a pain to replace cuz it came with the gears, when i got into the install and looked at the pump and that pesky pickup tube bolt i said F* that and didnt replace it. the install was MUCH quicker because of this. i never had problems with my pressure before the swap, but now i have lower pressure than before, the pressure drops below 40psi once the car warms up, like around 32psi. thats with 5w30, im sure if i put 0w30 or something it would be higher. so now im wanting to replace the pump and chain so i have to go back in there. its not necessary, but you have to ask yourself, what are you doing to the car down the line? your gonna eventually need to change those, might as well do it now.

fast98

iTrader: (16)

i'm one of the crazy ones here. i have a 98, i replaced the cam and put a ls2 chain in there. i would only put a oil pump on if it was broke or it was a new motor. i have better oil pressure after the swap then before it

LS1FIRE

iTrader: (1)

What is the worst case Scenario that can happen while changing the oil pump? I am gona be doing the swap myself and dont wanna mess anything up our cause more work to be done. I feel kinda intimidated. Thats why i wanna get the most info and replys that i can. Thanks everyone for the replys.