Is this normal oil pressure at redline for a ss 1le v8?

[acutron42]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Holy crap we have hydraulic lifters???

It's actually called fluid dynamics.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Well I’ll be dipped, all this time I was thinking we still had full mechanical flat heads under the hood.

[FasNuf]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Well I’ll be dipped, all this time I was thinking we still had full mechanical flat heads under the hood.

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[morepowerjoe]

I've been around here for a little while now, no as long as some of you but I've seen this question asked in here quite a few times now and it seems to be problem with the ls3's with low mileage or high mileage. It seems to me that problem develops at random and it makes me wonder if it comes down to what type of oil is used in the engine? I'd like to know what viscosity, brand, and oil filter the op is using.

[CamaroCracka]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

I've been around here for a little while now, no as long as some of you but I've seen this question asked in here quite a few times now and it seems to be problem with the ls3's with low mileage or high mileage. It seems to me that problem develops at random and it makes me wonder if it comes down to what type of oil is used in the engine? I'd like to know what viscosity, brand, and oil filter the op is using.

I can tell you I bought some Penzoil 5w30 synthetic and on a hot day it dropped hot idle pressure to around 15psi. This was on first drive after putting it back together, so their was a bit of air still in the cooling system. Coolant temp was 217. I topped off the coolant and switched back to Moblie1, problem solved.

[CamaroDreams76]

Before I cammed my car and upgraded the oil pump my 1LE would idle 20-24 hot. If I did some really spirited driving or autocross it would dip down to 18 at idle. At cruising speed it would be in the low 30s. Not sure what redline was. I'd assume at least 45ish. I used 5w-30 Mobil 1 or 5w-30 valvoline

[Bluebagger06]

I have sbe and rebuilt the top end ,cam kit etc.. And i run Amsoil 5w- 50! Great pressures cold and hot!

[Trawz]

I have been asking this same question about my 1LE for a while now, but the reason behind mine might be more sinister.

When I bought mine, it would hot idle around 25-30psi on amsoil 5W30.
Over the past 5 years of ownership and numerous track days later (4 track days on average a year), It now hot idles around 16-18psi and will dip to as low as 10-12psi after a few hot rips around a track.
Now, these pressures are with an aftermarket oil cooler and jumping up to amsoil 10W40 for track work 2 years ago.
The odd thing was when I stepped up to 10W40, the pressure did not seem to change.

This picture is from my last track day this past summer, after 15 minutes of hot lapping, right when I pulled into my pit spot:

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams76

Before I cammed my car and upgraded the oil pump my 1LE would idle 20-24 hot. If I did some really spirited driving or autocross it would dip down to 18 at idle. At cruising speed it would be in the low 30s. Not sure what redline was. I'd assume at least 45ish. I used 5w-30 Mobil 1 or 5w-30 valvoline

What pump did you upgrade too and what are your pressures now?

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by Trawz

I have been asking this same question about my 1LE for a while now, but the reason behind mine might be more sinister.

When I bought mine, it would hot idle around 25-30psi on amsoil 5W30.
Over the past 5 years of ownership and numerous track days later (4 track days on average a year), It now hot idles around 16-18psi and will dip to as low as 10-12psi after a few hot rips around a track.
Now, these pressures are with an aftermarket oil cooler and jumping up to amsoil 10W40 for track work 2 years ago.
The odd thing was when I stepped up to 10W40, the pressure did not seem to change.

This picture is from my last track day this past summer, after 15 minutes of hot lapping, right when I pulled into my pit spot:

I wonder if you have a pressure relief valve issue since you stepped up to thicker oil and it made no change. With engine wear you would likely still see a difference even if it’s small in pressure going thicker or thinner on the oil. If the relief spring is only capable of holding back X amount of pressure that’s all it’s going to hold back.

[CamaroDreams76]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

What pump did you upgrade too and what are your pressures now?

Just a melling high volume pump. I don't know for certain because I know it's not an issue anymore but Im 97% positive hot idle is around 32-35. I've been running Motul 5w-40 since the cam swap. So better pump, little thicker oil as well.

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams76

Just a melling high volume pump. I don't know for certain because I know it's not an issue anymore but Im 97% positive hot idle is around 32-35. I've been running Motul 5w-40 since the cam swap. So better pump, little thicker oil as well.

Yeah, that's where my hot idle is too but like I said earlier I have the 10355HV pump with 10W30 VR Racing oil and a K&N gold filter with a Mishimoto oil cooler at 217* oil temperature and 200* water temperature. My bearing clearances are all at stock clearances too.

Sounds like you might have a high-volume pump too?

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by Trawz

I have been asking this same question about my 1LE for a while now, but the reason behind mine might be more sinister.

When I bought mine, it would hot idle around 25-30psi on amsoil 5W30.
Over the past 5 years of ownership and numerous track days later (4 track days on average a year), It now hot idles around 16-18psi and will dip to as low as 10-12psi after a few hot rips around a track.
Now, these pressures are with an aftermarket oil cooler and jumping up to amsoil 10W40 for track work 2 years ago.
The odd thing was when I stepped up to 10W40, the pressure did not seem to change.

This picture is from my last track day this past summer, after 15 minutes of hot lapping, right when I pulled into my pit spot:

Definitely sounds like a pressure relief valve issue to me like Aqua Blue said but only at the high rpm area. I plugged mine when my engine was apart a long time ago and have since seen oil pressure up to 80 psi with my Melling pump. As for the idle pressure goes it sounds like your bearing clearances have gotten a little loose and your only option there is to step up to a higher volume pump or rebuild with oversize bearings which I would just replace the pump because it's a heck of a lot cheaper.

[Trawz]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

Definitely sounds like a pressure relief valve issue to me like Aqua Blue said but only at the high rpm area. I plugged mine when my engine was apart a long time ago and have since seen oil pressure up to 80 psi with my Melling pump. As for the idle pressure goes it sounds like your bearing clearances have gotten a little loose and your only option there is to step up to a higher volume pump or rebuild with oversize bearings which I would just replace the pump because it's a heck of a lot cheaper.

Very interesting. Been wondering and asking around about this issue for a bit and was convinced it was the oil pump on it way out.
I had been paranoid about the oil pressures and quality for a while and 3 days after I took that picture at the track day, I did an oil change to see if there was any trace of glitter in the oil or oil filter.
None. Everything looked normal.
Never goes past 3,000 mi between oil changes ever since I bought it.
The pressure relief valve is a appealing one to look into!