I'm having weird oil pressure issues. When cold, it sits just under 40/psi, but when I get on it it hits 40/psi. When it get hot, it sits right on or just above 20/psi. at cruise and when I've been driving for a while, and I come to a red, sometimes it drops to the point the light comes on and I get a slight tick.

I've had it deep in 5k-6k during some Mex races, with no weird issues.

The oil pressure is quick to respond, to RPMs, but when hot, falls on its face, to the point the light will sometimes come on, when at idle.

I had the engine out, to replace the rear main seal, water pump, timing chain, oil pressure sensor, and a bunch of other ****, but forgot to replace the cam thrust plate and didn't bother with the oil pump, because I wasn't having any oil pressure issues, before the pull.

I pulled out the emissions and pvc and now running a catch can, if that matters.

There was no major residue in the pan / old oil and we even cut open oil filter, so I'm guessing that the bearings are okay, I guess. The only thing I can think of, is the pump was on its way out, pickup is clogged (even though we cleaned it), o-ring, and cam plate...

Other than an exhaust leak, hissing at me, at the collectors, the engine is quite, runs smooth and hold a steady 800/RPM at idle. Hardly even lifter tick. So I don't know what is going on now.

Is it possible to replace the oil pump and pick up with the engine in the car?

Also, I have the summit 2 piece timing cover. Will it be a PITA to replace the cam thrust plate?

I have ICT billet mounts. Not sure if that will help or hinder.

02 Trans Am M6

 

I've read where the front cover can be removed and the repairs you mentioned done without having to lower the k-member to drop the oil pan down but it would be a first for me if I had to go that route. I presume you replaced the oring on the pickup tube with the correct size and lubed it really well before reinstalling.

 

Yeah, but I'm wondering if it moved or ripped when installing the pump.

 

I’d make sure that it’s not the sender or the gauge first. Build you a mechanical gauge setup with the correct fittings, and see if the two gauges agree with each other. My oil pressure sender took a dump in my Silverado a little while back. Sometimes it shows pressure, sometimes it doesn’t. When it doesn’t, the dash light comes on, and the display tells me to turn off the engine. Sometimes the gauge jumps around like a windshield wiper. Drives me crazy. I bought a sender to replace the bad one with, but I haven’t had time to get on it yet.

 

I was thinking about getting a mechanical setup, but when the factory gauge does drop to 0, and the light comes on, I do get a slight tick sometimes, so I figured that getting a mechanical gauge a moot point.