96LT1Z

Thanks for the help guys, making me feel alot better about this

SoxXpupPeT

iTrader: (34)

Goodluck with her, just keep an eye on your oil levels to make sure shes not low. Thats what the forum is here for

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

sounds like a windage issue to me.......usually dipping oil pressure somewhere in the rpm range that increases at a later rpm is windage, ask me how I know lol fyi too much oil can also cause this belive it or not

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

I only run 5 quarts and I have this issue, if you've tried 6 and still have it then I dunno. 5.5 is what it calls for.

pancho toco loco

iTrader: (8)

Just want to chime in for your peace of mind. Mine has done this since 17k, car now has 80k.. For what's its worth ( not my words ) but back in 97 a GM rep told me this was a common issues w/ lt1's. Most ppl do not notice it at WOT due the the fact your eyes are on the road. He said as long as the car has 5psi per 1k rpm at that short period where it dips your ok.

Jeff 97 Formula

Just recently noticed my 97 Formula doing this, and was a bit worse for me (actually went a little lower than 40PSI). Last time I changed my oil (Mobil1 5w30) I used a Mobil1 filter (which was almost half the size of the usual K&N I install, K&N was not in stock so I figured Mobil1 -- can't go wrong).

Not saying the filter is a bad filter, but I think the short design made the overall capacity smaller, making it more obvious because when I eventually swapped the oil filter back to a K&N where the engine can take all 5 quarts of oil (instead of 4.5 with the shorter filter), it still happens but it stays above 40 vs the short filter.

Might be my imagination (and may even sound crazy that I swapped oil filters), but I did take note the OP mentioned the short filter.

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

I remember before I installed LT headers, I ran that big *** K&N filter that likely added an additional quart of oil. I cant imagine one could have an oil filter too big. Well maybe if it hits speed bumps.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

That line is used as a blanket statement, but in this case it is true. Mine had the same issues as described by the OP since the car was new.

Jeff 97 Formula

Well.....had my car out tonight and when I accelerated WOT from a dead stop, the oil pressure climbed a little past 50 then dropped to 30-35 at around 4000rpm, then went back to 50 toward 5500rpm. If I'm already moving and I go WOT the pressure only drops a little as it accelerates.

I am now afraid to floor it from a stop (it's almost like I wish I never saw the gauge kinda thing, because it seems fine other than seeing the pressure drop WOT). But based on some responses, I guess this is really normal / common on a mostly stock LT1?

hrcslam

If you're really worried about it, put a mechanical gauge on it. I hooked mine up to the port just above the oil filter (where the 93 LT1's got theirs stock). Then see if the mechanical gauge drops.

This does seem to be a common trend on LT1's.

devildog214

Didnt know you guys were filling up beyond 5 qts, perhaps I should do that to eliminate my low psi, forget my filter number but its not the highest capacity. Ive just been buying 5 qts and it fills to the dipstick, hardly consumes any oil when i went to high mileage, but it does dip down at WOT and of course when its hot.

bowtienut

iTrader: (1)

It's a waste of time installing a mechanical gauge for what's being discussed here. If your electrical gauge is showing a dip and recovery, it's not lying to you. This is common on other SBC's too, not just LT1.
I have a mechanical in my car since it didn't come with a gauge. When hot, it dips to 35 psi at high rpm. It's been doing that for 5 years, nothing to worry about.

Jeff 97 Formula

Had my car out again. This time I tried a few WOT runs from 25 mph until 50 (shifting into 2nd). Seems to dip to 40 (instead of 30-35 when WOT from dead stop).

I'm really starting to think it's the oil sloshing inside the pan, with the g-force of the acceleration forcing it to one side, causing the drop. I guess I'm ok, especially since I use synthetic for extra protection.

I just wanted to confirm I'm not going to kill my engine when having fun with the car.

Jeff 97 Formula

About to confirm some piece of mind. I happened to come across a few WOT videos I took of my own car (one was a few years ago, another was almost 10 years ago). And.....the oil pressure dropped on both videos similar to what I just recently noticed so I can now say mine's always done it, and also noticed very few metal particles on the oil drain plug during each oil change.

So I guess I'm really OK here.

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

I have just accepted it as harmless and I agree its the oil sloshing around in the pan. It appears to me, the pump sucks air for a split second which causes the drop. I tried adjusting pickup height, replacing pumps and nothing fixed it.

Jeff 97 Formula

I have to admit....now that I have been noticing this it's driving me crazy!

I did a few experiments today:
Accelerating 1st gear 3/4 throttle just enough for 4500RPM -- drops almost as much as WOT just before shifting to 2nd (mine's an auto), then rises quickly to 40-50 after the shift
2. Rev the car while in park/neutral up to 4500rpm......oil pressure did not drop at all and was very consistent

So now I'm really starting to believe it's due to the oil sloshing in the pan while accelerating. Probably harmless, but if anyone has a fix let me know....thanks!

ACE1252

Guys,

The youtube video posted earlier in the thread of the oil pressure dipping was mine. Hehe, and my eyes were on the road just fine during the filming. The problem was that the oil was running away from the stock pickup upon acceleration. It got worse as the power of the car increased with the CC503 cam.

I solved the problem with a new 20-013 Canton pickup and 20185 Moroso oil pan. As the stock cats would not work with the new pan, I went all in with a set of Kooks long tubes(ouch to the wallet, but well worth it).
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/exha...review-865570/

My Dad also brazed the new canton pickup to the pump. I believe the pickup did more for the problem than the pan as it centers the pickup in the pan better than the stock unit. However, I did both at the same time, so I can't say for certain that just the pickup will solve it. The pan is a good one with all kinds of baffles to control the oil.

I ran into three problems with the Moroso pan. I had to clearance the pan rail for the knock sensor, cut the ends off the stock oil pan re-enforcement rails, and had a small oil leak around one of the pan bolt holes that was fixed with a dab of "The Right Stuff".

Clearance with Kooks headers was tight, but worked...had to get a Canton Plug and short the oil pressure low level harness to keep the light off. Twisted and lightly soldered 1/2 watt resistor leads in the wire nut.
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN4013.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN3994.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN3998.JPG


So the changes between the video below and the first was canton pickup, moroso oil pan, and kooks headers. All else the same.

The results.....

96LT1Z

haha wow haven't been on here in awhile, didn't know you guys were posting in here!
But i have since switched to wix racing filter, and a new oil filter adapter w/o a oil bypass from speedway. Problem is still there. Still drive the hell out of it. OH WELL! Loving life.

speed_demon24

iTrader: (6)

Mine holds steady to the limiter. :shrug:

You still have the windage tray in right?

Jeff 97 Formula

My pan is stock, never taken off either so I should have everything that came from the factory still there.

I appreciate the solution...but that moroso pan you said won't clear the stock cats.