First time cam swap opinions.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 183
Likes: 26
From: Kentucky
First time cam swap opinions. I'm fixing to order a camshaft. Chris over at Tick recommended the SNS Stage 2 for my car and I will likely go with that cam unless there's others I need to consider as well. Any input there is appreciated.
My main question is about the oil pump. Now I've heard stories of the O ring in the pick up being pinched and having no pressure after getting a new pump and I've witnessed a Melling pump take a motor with it. I've only heard of factory pumps failing, I don't know anyone who has had one fail. My car is a simple bolt on car. Nothing special and with 130k miles on it I assume I should replace the pump. However, my oil pressure has never been low in the 4 years I've owned the car. When cold it is about 65psi and when the engine is up to temp it sits around 45-50psi. (I'll use my scanner to get more exact numbers tomorrow on the way to work) Do I really need to replace the pump? Seeing as it's my first cam swap, I feel like I'd have a better chance to mess up the installation of a new pump compared to the old pump failing. But I'm no expert and if I'm told to replace the pump, I'll likely get the LS6 pump.
Thanks in advance!
My main question is about the oil pump. Now I've heard stories of the O ring in the pick up being pinched and having no pressure after getting a new pump and I've witnessed a Melling pump take a motor with it. I've only heard of factory pumps failing, I don't know anyone who has had one fail. My car is a simple bolt on car. Nothing special and with 130k miles on it I assume I should replace the pump. However, my oil pressure has never been low in the 4 years I've owned the car. When cold it is about 65psi and when the engine is up to temp it sits around 45-50psi. (I'll use my scanner to get more exact numbers tomorrow on the way to work) Do I really need to replace the pump? Seeing as it's my first cam swap, I feel like I'd have a better chance to mess up the installation of a new pump compared to the old pump failing. But I'm no expert and if I'm told to replace the pump, I'll likely get the LS6 pump.
Thanks in advance!
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
I'm fixing to order a camshaft. Chris over at Tick recommended the SNS Stage 2 for my car and I will likely go with that cam unless there's others I need to consider as well. Any input there is appreciated.
My main question is about the oil pump. Now I've heard stories of the O ring in the pick up being pinched and having no pressure after getting a new pump and I've witnessed a Melling pump take a motor with it. I've only heard of factory pumps failing, I don't know anyone who has had one fail. My car is a simple bolt on car. Nothing special and with 130k miles on it I assume I should replace the pump. However, my oil pressure has never been low in the 4 years I've owned the car. When cold it is about 65psi and when the engine is up to temp it sits around 45-50psi. (I'll use my scanner to get more exact numbers tomorrow on the way to work) Do I really need to replace the pump? Seeing as it's my first cam swap, I feel like I'd have a better chance to mess up the installation of a new pump compared to the old pump failing. But I'm no expert and if I'm told to replace the pump, I'll likely get the LS6 pump.
Thanks in advance!
My main question is about the oil pump. Now I've heard stories of the O ring in the pick up being pinched and having no pressure after getting a new pump and I've witnessed a Melling pump take a motor with it. I've only heard of factory pumps failing, I don't know anyone who has had one fail. My car is a simple bolt on car. Nothing special and with 130k miles on it I assume I should replace the pump. However, my oil pressure has never been low in the 4 years I've owned the car. When cold it is about 65psi and when the engine is up to temp it sits around 45-50psi. (I'll use my scanner to get more exact numbers tomorrow on the way to work) Do I really need to replace the pump? Seeing as it's my first cam swap, I feel like I'd have a better chance to mess up the installation of a new pump compared to the old pump failing. But I'm no expert and if I'm told to replace the pump, I'll likely get the LS6 pump.
Thanks in advance!
10 Second Club
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 20
From: Hurley, VA
A new pump would be better but it opens up a new can of worms. Every time I’ve dropped the pan down to access the pick up tube bolt the oil pan gasket has came apart in pieces. They’re a chance of dropping the bolt in the oil pan and pinching the O ring. Replacing it would technically be a good idea but with that pressure I probably wouldn’t worry about it. On cars I’ve got the trans out of I’ve started splitting the oil pan gasket dead center in the front so it can wrap around the pick up tube otherwise I don’t usually mess with the oil pump.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 183
Likes: 26
From: Kentucky
I got more accurate numbers this morning. Idling at temp its 38-40psi. When cruising it's 45-47psi. When cold and I accelerate sitting around 3k RPM from my stall It's 65psi. After it warmed up I made a pull and it was around 60psi.
just wanted to get better numbers for y'all.
just wanted to get better numbers for y'all.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,307
Likes: 3,622
From: Central Cal.
I got more accurate numbers this morning. Idling at temp its 38-40psi. When cruising it's 45-47psi. When cold and I accelerate sitting around 3k RPM from my stall It's 65psi. After it warmed up I made a pull and it was around 60psi.
just wanted to get better numbers for y'all.
just wanted to get better numbers for y'all.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 183
Likes: 26
From: Kentucky
Well, I say that settles it. Not gonna worry about replacing the oil pump. Or the timing chain for that matter. If it fails and cooks my motor that gives me an excuse to get a stroker. 
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