2002 Trans Am

Hey guys,

Been paying attention to my stock oil guage and I think its been acting funny...Though I don't know because I never paid attention to it because I am 6'3" and have my seat all the way back with the steering wheel all the way up, so basically I never seen the guage.

But lately I have been peeking over and monitoring it. While cruising it fluctuates between 40 and 60. But when I got WOT, it goes all the way to 80....Is that normal?

Been using Redline 10W30, and I changed it about 8K miles ago, and there are about 11K miles on the car now.

Thanks guys

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

80 seems a little high to me but somewhere 40-60 at cruise seems normal.

I idle at 40psi.....cruise at 50psi.....peg at over 60psi WOT...and I'm using 15W50 Moble 1 (I live in AZ so can use thicker to cut down on oil consumption).

2002 Trans Am

hmmmm, so why do you think it flew to 80 while I was making a highway run (0-70mph)

Ryan02SS

iTrader: (3)

A common problem may be too restrictive of an oil filter. What type where you running? Also was your engine fully warmed up? Taking it to redline on a cold motor will produce that kind of oil pressure.

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

the oil pressure gauge is after the filter so I don't see how that could have caused it.......

2002 Trans Am

I never get on my car until it is fully warm. So to answer your question, no. Also the filter that was used was whatever the GM dealership used when they did my 1st change, but I plan on switching to a filter from Napa Auto parts, I think it was called gold or something like that.

Still can't figure out why it went to 80???
I know I won't be flooring it anymore until I change my oil, then i'll see what happens....

Could anything happen because the pressure went so high?

Patman

I think oil filters that are restrictive will show high oil pressure spikes at redline. I noticed on my last interval, that the pressure spiked up 5psi at redline on a new oil filter, but with 5k on it the spike was higher. So as the filter became more restricted, the oil pressure got higher.

WIth a K&N oil filter, I do not see this pressure spike, not when new and not with 4-5k on it.

robertbartsch

I truly recommend a FRAM oil filter next change...besides, they are Patman#1's favorate!!!!

..you probably should go with the really good stuff - Royal Purple synthetic oil too!

I read about two guys here that had too much oil pressure,,,,it caused the pump to suck nearly all of the oil out of the pan before it had a chance to drain back down....each guy was going NUTS trying to figure out why this was happening...they would pull over and idle the engine and the oil pressure would return to normal... I don't recall any posts that indicated how this problem was resolved.....ANYONE?????

...so yes, too much oil pressure is not a good thing ....cause it can lead to NO oil pressure! ...just be happy you are not them!

PS - don't worry about the gauges ...my wife never looks at them either....

2002 Trans Am

I could have sworn that Patman doesn't think highly of Fram oil filters and Royal Purple oil.

Anyhow I am switching over to K&N Gold filters, Patman said they were very good.

2002 Trans Am

And thanks to all for their help, I can rest easy now until my LT headers come in.
I'll do the oil change then

Patman

Robert is just having fun with you guys!

He knows I don't like Fram, they are the most poorly constructed filter. If you're going to spend low $$ on a filter, don't get a Fram, go with a Wix/NAPA Gold or Walmart Supertech.

robertbartsch

...but i just bought six new FRAM oil filters from Martha's place!!!!

Patman#1:
...what about that Balckstone oil anaysis on the ZO6 with the FRAM that included the oil was doing an outstanding job and the filter was working very well?????

Patman

I've never seen a Z06 analysis that included a Fram filter. All the LS6 UOAs I've seen so far have been using an Ultraguard Gold UPF44 or a regular PF44.

I can't imagine any Z06 owner sticking a Fram filter on his ride!

extremecorvette

My vett will hit 70 or so and on a hot day after hard driving it dropped to 20. I read the owners manual and it said that it might drop to as low as 5 but there was nothing about going to the high end.