Oil pressure issue
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I have a 1996 LT1...
On a cold start my oil pressure is normal (40 psi). After the engine warms up and I've been driving a bit, my oil pressure plummets at idle (5-20 psi). When I begin driving again, it shoots back up (35-40 psi). I'm running 10w30 Royal Purple synthetic. I have no idea what the first owner ran in it. The car was also purely stock when I bought it. So far I've only modded the intake with a K&N cold air kit. My friend who knows a lot about F-bodies and engines in general doesn't think it's the bearings, because he listened to the engine and said everything sounds normal... no knocking/pinging/etc. Could the issue be an oil pump? Would it be so consistent with the cold start-normal psi, warm engine-low psi if it was the pump?
On a cold start my oil pressure is normal (40 psi). After the engine warms up and I've been driving a bit, my oil pressure plummets at idle (5-20 psi). When I begin driving again, it shoots back up (35-40 psi). I'm running 10w30 Royal Purple synthetic. I have no idea what the first owner ran in it. The car was also purely stock when I bought it. So far I've only modded the intake with a K&N cold air kit. My friend who knows a lot about F-bodies and engines in general doesn't think it's the bearings, because he listened to the engine and said everything sounds normal... no knocking/pinging/etc. Could the issue be an oil pump? Would it be so consistent with the cold start-normal psi, warm engine-low psi if it was the pump?
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My stocker did the same thing from the time I got it to the time I pulled it. 11psi Hot idle on a mech gauge. Nothing to worry about. 10psi per 1k rpm. As long as you on that your good to go. If it keeps kicking the light just get a mech gauge and run it into the cabin. If you pull the plug on the pressure gauge the light doesnt kick.
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With the oil pressure plummeting and the temp raising at the same time, I got a little scared. But I guess all cars heat up when they sit at idle, lol.
Has anyone installed a high volume pump and seen gains in their idle pressure?
And where can I find this specific gauge?
Has anyone installed a high volume pump and seen gains in their idle pressure?
And where can I find this specific gauge?
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Any mechanical gauge that is for Oil PSI will do just fun. You install it were the sensor is located now (behind the intake under the cowl, closer to the drivers side.) I think I paid 40$ for my mech gauge? I got a decent one though, they go cheaper at autozone or something like I think.Make sure you get one with a back light hookup, otherwise at night your blind to it.
My 383 has a high volume pump in it and at hot idle I'm seeing 32-34 lbs of a pressure. Course thats apples to oranges. I wouldnt worry about trying to play with it unless you planned on pulling the motor for some reason. Its more of a pain than its worth. I put 30k miles on mine doing the same thing your talking about. Never a hiccup.
My 383 has a high volume pump in it and at hot idle I'm seeing 32-34 lbs of a pressure. Course thats apples to oranges. I wouldnt worry about trying to play with it unless you planned on pulling the motor for some reason. Its more of a pain than its worth. I put 30k miles on mine doing the same thing your talking about. Never a hiccup.
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With the oil pressure plummeting and the temp raising at the same time, I got a little scared. But I guess all cars heat up when they sit at idle, lol.
Has anyone installed a high volume pump and seen gains in their idle pressure?
And where can I find this specific gauge?
Has anyone installed a high volume pump and seen gains in their idle pressure?
And where can I find this specific gauge?