I have tried searching but can't find a clear answer. I'm about to do heads and cam with all supporting mods. My motor has around 80,000 miles on it..do I need to buy an aftermarket oil pump? I have good oil pressure right now. I'll be running the Tick torque max 2 cam with stock 243s, so it's not like I'll be spinning it too the moon. I understand the concept of "while your in there" but for $150 I could put the money towards something else.

 

No real reason to change it if it carries good pressure now it will when you replace the top end.

 

at 80k replace it

 

I wouldn't change the oil pump but I would change the pickup tube o ring at the oil pump.

 

this, if oil pressure is strong and steady it won't change after the swap.

 

If you're changing the timing chain then you might as well replace the pump also that will have to come out. No sense in doing all that work not to replace a $60 pump.

However there's no need for an aftermarket pump if you're keeping all the stock clearances.

 

The TSP Ported ls6 Pump is a good option for slightly higher pressure and volume.

 

Alright thanks for the help. I think I'm just replace the O ring and call it good.

 

If you don't change it, at least take out the relief valve and clean out the bore.

 

I don't get it, Why replace a good pump with a good pump? They very rarely fail from fatigue like a rod bolt or rod, They wear and usually very slowly. So if it checks out there is no need to replace it. Chances are the new pump is no better than the old one and in some cases a new pump is worse than a old pump. A new pump has sharp edges that will wear away as the pump breaks in.

 

No there's no need to replace it, but some people like to have piece of mind of a new part especially when doing all the work to get the old one out anyway...especially when it costs 60 bux.

 

I would be more worried about the new pump than the old one, At least you know the old one works perfectly.

 

I replaced my 50k mile pump when I did a cam change with a stock LS6 pump. I had good pressures with old pump but new pump gave me about 6-8 psi more across the board

 

I could be wrong but doesn't the 2002 LS1 come with the same oil pump as an LS6?

 

Yes according to an old lingenfelter thread I read, they are the same pump and flow the same volume.