Oil Pressure Drop at WOT
#25
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Just want to chime in for your peace of mind. Mine has done this since 17k, car now has 80k.. For what's its worth ( not my words ) but back in 97 a GM rep told me this was a common issues w/ lt1's. Most ppl do not notice it at WOT due the the fact your eyes are on the road. He said as long as the car has 5psi per 1k rpm at that short period where it dips your ok.
#26
Just recently noticed my 97 Formula doing this, and was a bit worse for me (actually went a little lower than 40PSI). Last time I changed my oil (Mobil1 5w30) I used a Mobil1 filter (which was almost half the size of the usual K&N I install, K&N was not in stock so I figured Mobil1 -- can't go wrong).
Not saying the filter is a bad filter, but I think the short design made the overall capacity smaller, making it more obvious because when I eventually swapped the oil filter back to a K&N where the engine can take all 5 quarts of oil (instead of 4.5 with the shorter filter), it still happens but it stays above 40 vs the short filter.
Might be my imagination (and may even sound crazy that I swapped oil filters), but I did take note the OP mentioned the short filter.
Not saying the filter is a bad filter, but I think the short design made the overall capacity smaller, making it more obvious because when I eventually swapped the oil filter back to a K&N where the engine can take all 5 quarts of oil (instead of 4.5 with the shorter filter), it still happens but it stays above 40 vs the short filter.
Might be my imagination (and may even sound crazy that I swapped oil filters), but I did take note the OP mentioned the short filter.
#29
Well.....had my car out tonight and when I accelerated WOT from a dead stop, the oil pressure climbed a little past 50 then dropped to 30-35 at around 4000rpm, then went back to 50 toward 5500rpm. If I'm already moving and I go WOT the pressure only drops a little as it accelerates.
I am now afraid to floor it from a stop (it's almost like I wish I never saw the gauge kinda thing, because it seems fine other than seeing the pressure drop WOT). But based on some responses, I guess this is really normal / common on a mostly stock LT1?
I am now afraid to floor it from a stop (it's almost like I wish I never saw the gauge kinda thing, because it seems fine other than seeing the pressure drop WOT). But based on some responses, I guess this is really normal / common on a mostly stock LT1?
#30
TECH Addict
If you're really worried about it, put a mechanical gauge on it. I hooked mine up to the port just above the oil filter (where the 93 LT1's got theirs stock). Then see if the mechanical gauge drops.
This does seem to be a common trend on LT1's.
This does seem to be a common trend on LT1's.
#31
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Didnt know you guys were filling up beyond 5 qts, perhaps I should do that to eliminate my low psi, forget my filter number but its not the highest capacity. Ive just been buying 5 qts and it fills to the dipstick, hardly consumes any oil when i went to high mileage, but it does dip down at WOT and of course when its hot.
#32
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I have a mechanical in my car since it didn't come with a gauge. When hot, it dips to 35 psi at high rpm. It's been doing that for 5 years, nothing to worry about.
#33
Had my car out again. This time I tried a few WOT runs from 25 mph until 50 (shifting into 2nd). Seems to dip to 40 (instead of 30-35 when WOT from dead stop).
I'm really starting to think it's the oil sloshing inside the pan, with the g-force of the acceleration forcing it to one side, causing the drop. I guess I'm ok, especially since I use synthetic for extra protection.
I just wanted to confirm I'm not going to kill my engine when having fun with the car.
I'm really starting to think it's the oil sloshing inside the pan, with the g-force of the acceleration forcing it to one side, causing the drop. I guess I'm ok, especially since I use synthetic for extra protection.
I just wanted to confirm I'm not going to kill my engine when having fun with the car.
#34
About to confirm some piece of mind. I happened to come across a few WOT videos I took of my own car (one was a few years ago, another was almost 10 years ago). And.....the oil pressure dropped on both videos similar to what I just recently noticed so I can now say mine's always done it, and also noticed very few metal particles on the oil drain plug during each oil change.
So I guess I'm really OK here.
So I guess I'm really OK here.
#36
I have to admit....now that I have been noticing this it's driving me crazy!
I did a few experiments today:
Accelerating 1st gear 3/4 throttle just enough for 4500RPM -- drops almost as much as WOT just before shifting to 2nd (mine's an auto), then rises quickly to 40-50 after the shift
2. Rev the car while in park/neutral up to 4500rpm......oil pressure did not drop at all and was very consistent
So now I'm really starting to believe it's due to the oil sloshing in the pan while accelerating. Probably harmless, but if anyone has a fix let me know....thanks!
I did a few experiments today:
Accelerating 1st gear 3/4 throttle just enough for 4500RPM -- drops almost as much as WOT just before shifting to 2nd (mine's an auto), then rises quickly to 40-50 after the shift
2. Rev the car while in park/neutral up to 4500rpm......oil pressure did not drop at all and was very consistent
So now I'm really starting to believe it's due to the oil sloshing in the pan while accelerating. Probably harmless, but if anyone has a fix let me know....thanks!
#37
TECH Resident
Guys,
The youtube video posted earlier in the thread of the oil pressure dipping was mine. Hehe, and my eyes were on the road just fine during the filming. The problem was that the oil was running away from the stock pickup upon acceleration. It got worse as the power of the car increased with the CC503 cam.
I solved the problem with a new 20-013 Canton pickup and 20185 Moroso oil pan. As the stock cats would not work with the new pan, I went all in with a set of Kooks long tubes(ouch to the wallet, but well worth it).
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/exha...review-865570/
My Dad also brazed the new canton pickup to the pump. I believe the pickup did more for the problem than the pan as it centers the pickup in the pan better than the stock unit. However, I did both at the same time, so I can't say for certain that just the pickup will solve it. The pan is a good one with all kinds of baffles to control the oil.
I ran into three problems with the Moroso pan. I had to clearance the pan rail for the knock sensor, cut the ends off the stock oil pan re-enforcement rails, and had a small oil leak around one of the pan bolt holes that was fixed with a dab of "The Right Stuff".
Clearance with Kooks headers was tight, but worked...had to get a Canton Plug and short the oil pressure low level harness to keep the light off. Twisted and lightly soldered 1/2 watt resistor leads in the wire nut.
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN4013.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN3994.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN3998.JPG
So the changes between the video below and the first was canton pickup, moroso oil pan, and kooks headers. All else the same.
The results.....
The youtube video posted earlier in the thread of the oil pressure dipping was mine. Hehe, and my eyes were on the road just fine during the filming. The problem was that the oil was running away from the stock pickup upon acceleration. It got worse as the power of the car increased with the CC503 cam.
I solved the problem with a new 20-013 Canton pickup and 20185 Moroso oil pan. As the stock cats would not work with the new pan, I went all in with a set of Kooks long tubes(ouch to the wallet, but well worth it).
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/exha...review-865570/
My Dad also brazed the new canton pickup to the pump. I believe the pickup did more for the problem than the pan as it centers the pickup in the pan better than the stock unit. However, I did both at the same time, so I can't say for certain that just the pickup will solve it. The pan is a good one with all kinds of baffles to control the oil.
I ran into three problems with the Moroso pan. I had to clearance the pan rail for the knock sensor, cut the ends off the stock oil pan re-enforcement rails, and had a small oil leak around one of the pan bolt holes that was fixed with a dab of "The Right Stuff".
Clearance with Kooks headers was tight, but worked...had to get a Canton Plug and short the oil pressure low level harness to keep the light off. Twisted and lightly soldered 1/2 watt resistor leads in the wire nut.
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN4013.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN3994.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/1996_L...s/DSCN3998.JPG
So the changes between the video below and the first was canton pickup, moroso oil pan, and kooks headers. All else the same.
The results.....
Last edited by ACE1252; 09-12-2014 at 01:42 AM.
#38
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
haha wow haven't been on here in awhile, didn't know you guys were posting in here!
But i have since switched to wix racing filter, and a new oil filter adapter w/o a oil bypass from speedway. Problem is still there. Still drive the hell out of it. OH WELL! Loving life.
But i have since switched to wix racing filter, and a new oil filter adapter w/o a oil bypass from speedway. Problem is still there. Still drive the hell out of it. OH WELL! Loving life.
#40
My pan is stock, never taken off either so I should have everything that came from the factory still there.
I appreciate the solution...but that moroso pan you said won't clear the stock cats.
I appreciate the solution...but that moroso pan you said won't clear the stock cats.