Melling 10296 oil pump on ls3

[8driann]

So I bought a 2012 SS with 126k miles on it. The guy didn’t tell me till I found about a week later that the lifters were bad or so I thought. I couldn’t hear the ticking when I checked it out before buying which is why I bought it. I was cleaning out the car and I found a paper where the guy went to a shop for lifter replacement. If the ticking is back I thought the lifters were bad again so I am in the process of replacing them and I wanted to change out the oil pump as well. The pressure it was getting with 5w-30 was about 10psi idle and 30psi when I got on the throttle and it o my went up when I put 20w-50. I don’t have the funds to get a new block or do a full rebuild so it leaves me thinking that the car might’ve been running on low oil pressure for some time, which worries me thinking the bearings clearances might’ve been affected. Should I leave the spring that is on the pump from Melling? I have heard the spring that comes installed is the high pressure one and I was thinking of leaving it on there to help out with oil pressure. If someone could please pitch in their thoughts and help me out it would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Risingson05]

I’d call melling to verify but from when I cammed my truck which is an l92 , I changed the oil pump aswell . Tsp gave me the 10296 when I didn’t know any better and finished the whole install , started it up and I notice my oil pressure was 5psi lower than before with my stock oil pump .

I called melling and they told me that tsp gave me the wrong oil pump , and that the 10355 was the correct one for my truck as the 10296 are for late 90’s and early 00’s ls . After installing the 10355 my oil pressure at idle was back up to 25psi.

Although at 10psi is really low , it could also be your bearing clearances kinda hard to tell since you don’t know what the idle pressure was at before the oil pump .

I know people are using the 10296 without any hiccups so I could be wrong about the oil pump . I’m just sharing from my own experience and from what melling told me when I spoke with them .

Tsp did try and have me try a different spring but I opted out of that after speaking with melling and went for the recommended oil pump

[8driann]

Originally Posted by Risingson05

I’d call melling to verify but from when I cammed my truck which is an l92 , I changed the oil pump aswell . Tsp gave me the 10296 when I didn’t know any better and finished the whole install , started it up and I notice my oil pressure was 5psi lower than before with my stock oil pump .

I called melling and they told me that tsp gave me the wrong oil pump , and that the 10355 was the correct one for my truck as the 10296 are for late 90’s and early 00’s ls . After installing the 10355 my oil pressure at idle was back up to 25psi.

Although at 10psi is really low , it could also be your bearing clearances kinda hard to tell since you don’t know what the idle pressure was at before the oil pump .

I know people are using the 10296 without any hiccups so I could be wrong about the oil pump . I’m just sharing from my own experience and from what melling told me when I spoke with them .

So far basically everybody that I’ve asked have told me that the 10296 is the one for my car but with high volume and the 10355 is for the l99. It’s just that I’m not too sure as to if I want to leave the spring that melling pre installed or the lower one. But thanks for your input bro


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Risingson05]

[QUOTE=8driann;10890162]So far basically everybody that I’ve asked have told me that the 10296 is the one for my car but with high volume and the 10355 is for the l99. It’s just that I’m not too sure as to if I want to leave the spring that melling pre installed or the lower one. But thanks for your input bro
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/




I do have a spring from melling that was used for the copo in which they said would increase pressure , and is for the 10296 .I don’t need it and you can have it for free just pay for the ride .

[InFiD3ViL]

I am running the Melling 10296 on my LS3 and I am fairly sure it has the included spring installed. I cold start idle around 55psi, warm idle at 43-45psi, and hit 62-65 psi on anything from med to WOT pulls. This is with a 10w30. Never am I under 40 psi

As for the bearings clearances, I hate to say it but that would be where I would start looking next. You shouldn't be going through lifters like this.

[8driann]

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

I am running the Melling 10296 on my LS3 and I am fairly sure it has the included spring installed. I cold start idle around 55psi, warm idle at 43-45psi, and hit 62-65 psi on anything from med to WOT pulls. This is with a 10w30. Never am I under 40 psi

As for the bearings clearances, I hate to say it but that would be where I would start looking next. You shouldn't be going through lifters like this.

Yes I know it has the high pressure spring already installed. I was just wondering if others have installed the pump like that or if they have changed out the spring for the lower one. I have heard that some people have said they’re oil pan runs dry with the installed spring.

[07-SRT]

I purchased the 10295 after talking with Melling technical division. I have the LS3. He said if I have stock bearing clearances there is no need for higher volume the 10296 pump.

[flht99b]

More than likely the O Ring for the pump pickup is pinched/improperly installed or worse case cam bearings are worn out.

[camguynj]

Good read
Everything LS3/L99 Melling Oil Pumps
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201500

[InFiD3ViL]

Originally Posted by 8driann

Yes I know it has the high pressure spring already installed. I was just wondering if others have installed the pump like that or if they have changed out the spring for the lower one. I have heard that some people have said they’re oil pan runs dry with the installed spring.

Ahh ok, my bad. I bought my engine with that pump included and didn't get any additional springs so I can only guess what is in it currently based on the pressures. I had also heard that about the HV pumps, but also read in a few places that it is nothing to worry about due to our large oil volumes. I haven't tracked my car yet, which is where that is supposed to be a possible factor.

Originally Posted by camguynj

Good read
Everything LS3/L99 Melling Oil Pumps
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201500

Indeed. Very interesting write up.

[Greenhornet2]

Doubt the oil pump is the problem. You likely have a bearing problem. It may last a while though. Might want to verify oil pressure with a manual gauge. If you aren't going to fix the pressure problem though I wouldn't bother replacing lifters for a tick you may as well just leave it alone until it seizes up or you'll just be throwing money away.

[flht99b]

My friend has a repair shop and has worked on well over 100 LS engines including the LS3 and L99. With a very few exceptions, low oil pressure was tracked down to an ill fitting 'O" ring between the oil pump and the pickup tube OR excessive wear of the cam bearings. Since the oil pump has been replaced it is possible the "O" ring is not seated correctly on the pickup tube. In one instance the cam oil journal block off plate, the one above the cam with 3 bolts was leaking causing pressure loss.

[zz430camaro]

10295 pump is all you need

[8driann]

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

Doubt the oil pump is the problem. You likely have a bearing problem. It may last a while though. Might want to verify oil pressure with a manual gauge. If you aren't going to fix the pressure problem though I wouldn't bother replacing lifters for a tick you may as well just leave it alone until it seizes up or you'll just be throwing money away.

Yes that is what I am just going to do. I literally just finished putting the engine back together last night with all brand new valve train and it still ticks lol. Oil pump putting about 60-70psi cold start and about 25-30 idle


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk