I just recently dropped in my new motor and I am concerned about it's oil pressure. It seems low to me but I have had others tell me it's fine.

Cold start - 45-50
Hot Idle - 18-20
cruising low RPM's - 30
High revs hot 40-50

Engine specs:
Ls-6 intake
Ported stock heads
G5X3
LS-2 timing chain
Mahle 10.7:1 Forged pistons
ARP rod bolts
Balanced rotating assembally (stock crank & rods)
LS-6 oil pump (not ported)

I run 10-30 in it. I have only put 530 miles on it so far and would like to know if I should put a Ported LS-6 pump on it or what. I plan on spraying a big shot on it but I need a little piece of mind or more oil pressure first. Thanks.

 

Rule of thumb is that you need 10 psi per every 1000 rpms.

I have 40 psi at idle, and get as much as 70 psi when running the car hard, and 60 when its a cold start. I have seen others that have numbers similar to yours, but anything below 20 psi at idle seems off to me.

Seems that you are within the rule of thumb, but still... did you replace the o ring when installing the new pump?

 

You want at least 10psi per 1000 rpms. You may have pinched the o-ring going in. That is definatly LOW oil pressure. For comparisons sake

Cold start - 65-70
Hot Idle - 40-50
cruising low RPM's - 55-60
High revs hot 75-80+

 

The oil pump was insalled with the engine on a stand, a friend of mine put it on. He is a good mechanic and knew that alot of people have had that problem so I'm sure he double checked it.

 

Your o-ring was pinched or you got a defective (highly unlikely if new) pump. Don't ruin all those nice components by not replacing a 50 cent part. I would get a new pump too if that one you have isn't.

I didn't replace the o-ring (it looked fine to me, Doh!) and pinched it too when I did my cam and new pump. I was back in the next day replacing the darn thing, while simultaneously kicking myself for not doing it in the first place.

BTW my numbers are like 777's. Good luck.

 

might want to have him double check it, would suck to have a spun rod bearing over a $1 part.

Did he reuse the old o rings or put in new ones?

 

We reused the old one. It is a new pump from my local dealership. I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend.