what is the optimum oil pressure range?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range? Sounds fine to me. My LT1, which is in excellent mechanical health, runs between 20psi (at idle) to about 45psi at full throttle. (this is with hot oil, it's higher when cold obviously)
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range?
Sounds fine to me. My LT1, which is in excellent mechanical health, runs between 20psi (at idle) to about 45psi at full throttle. (this is with hot oil, it's higher when cold obviously)
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range? 10 psi per 1000rpm is an old rule of thumb, you don't really need that much pressure with modern engines.
FWIW, my LS1 saw pretty similar oil pressure as my LT1 (except since my LS1 was M6, it's pressure at idle was higher, as it is with M6 LT1 cars too)
FWIW, my LS1 saw pretty similar oil pressure as my LT1 (except since my LS1 was M6, it's pressure at idle was higher, as it is with M6 LT1 cars too)
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: SW Florida
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range? You ask what's "optimum".
Do you think you have a low oil pressure problem?
I guess "optimum" would be in the range of a new un-modified LS1.
About 40 psi at hot idle and 55-60 psi (hot) at highway speed.
Do you think you have a low oil pressure problem?
I guess "optimum" would be in the range of a new un-modified LS1.
About 40 psi at hot idle and 55-60 psi (hot) at highway speed.
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From: SW Florida
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range? Aidan ..
20-25 at idle really is very low. Loose just a couple more psi, and you will be looking at the low oil pressure light.
I see you have put lots of parts in the motor. But I have to ask; Your motor did not have that low of idle oil pressure when it was stock, now did it?
Ron,
20-25 at idle really is very low. Loose just a couple more psi, and you will be looking at the low oil pressure light.
I see you have put lots of parts in the motor. But I have to ask; Your motor did not have that low of idle oil pressure when it was stock, now did it?
Ron,
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From: SW Florida
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range? BTW, a 10.5 ET @ almost 130 mph on a stock headed motor is unheard of in a non-boosted motor. You don't mention lots of nitrous in your in your sig.
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range?
You ask what's "optimum".
Do you think you have a low oil pressure problem?
I guess "optimum" would be in the range of a new un-modified LS1.
About 40 psi at hot idle and 55-60 psi (hot) at highway speed.
Do you think you have a low oil pressure problem?
I guess "optimum" would be in the range of a new un-modified LS1.
About 40 psi at hot idle and 55-60 psi (hot) at highway speed.
i certainly dont wanna rip the whole thing apart again to change the pump.hopefully it won't go any lower
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From: Your Reality Check Bounced...
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range? 99' LS1 Royal Purple 10-40 105,000 miles
Cold idle...60 psi 3K rpm (warming up) 75psi
Hot idle 45 psi 3k 60psi WOT 70psi
That's what my auto meter gauge and stock gauge reads...so I'm fairly confident it's correct.
Oh did I mention this is on a H/C car with STOCK 99 OIL PUMP.
Cold idle...60 psi 3K rpm (warming up) 75psi
Hot idle 45 psi 3k 60psi WOT 70psi
That's what my auto meter gauge and stock gauge reads...so I'm fairly confident it's correct.
Oh did I mention this is on a H/C car with STOCK 99 OIL PUMP.
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range?
20-25 at idle really is very low.
We thought it may have been the infamous o-ring, but why would the cold idle shoot to 70 if it was installed incorrectly. Anyway, after a couple of years, he had heads and cam installed, and the installer verified that the o-ring was fine. After the heads and cam, the oil pressure is still the same.
The car has being driven daily and hard and for about three or four years, and the engine is still running pretty stong with 48K miles. Personally, I think that if an oil pump is going to crap out, it will just do it. I don't know if there is any warning, like losing oil pressure gradually over the days.
Personally, I think my brother wants it to crap out...it will give hime the perfect justification for a TSP 396 stroker!!!!
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Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range? Before spending any money on a new oil pump, I would measure your oil pressure with an accurate external pressure guage to see what it really is.
Mine (98Z28) is the same as yours. I've never had 60 or 70 as some say.
I suspect yours and mine register faulty readings on the stock guage on the low side and those who have 60 or 70 are registering faulty reading with the stock guage on the high side.
Mine (98Z28) is the same as yours. I've never had 60 or 70 as some say.
I suspect yours and mine register faulty readings on the stock guage on the low side and those who have 60 or 70 are registering faulty reading with the stock guage on the high side.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
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From: Hartsdale, NY
Re: what is the optimum oil pressure range? I thought the old rule of thumb on oil pressure was obsolete since true synthetic oils perform better ...
...the old rule of thumb is not obsolete because less pressure is needed for so-called "modern" motors... ...we don't have modern motors...
...if you want a modern motor, buy a Honda.
...the old rule of thumb is not obsolete because less pressure is needed for so-called "modern" motors... ...we don't have modern motors...
...if you want a modern motor, buy a Honda.
