Info needed

[Lsx_Matt]

With my cam swap im going to change the timing chain. K see most people talk of a c5r chain. In my kit built by texas speed they added the ls2 chain. Is one better than the other or is the ls2 just fine. Also melling oil pumps. I know the subject is beat to death but not many clear testimonies for the l99 engine like mine. My car has 100xxx miles. While im in there I have 0 issues changing. Some people say l99 oil pump is good stock. Personally i like peace of mind. Im the tsp kit he added the high pressure pump. Is that correct or do i need the high volume. Thanks in advance -matt

[Punisher_ATX]

High Volume is a BAD idea. Will suck the oil pan dry. The LS2 chain is good for 90% of builds and i run one in my personal car at over 700hp and 7500rpms. Now if you wanted an upgrade alot of people switch to a Rollmaster Timing Set and the IWIS chain that comes with it. Same company makes their chain that makes the c5r chain. Honestly never been one to spend money on the c5r as I have never seen an ls2 break on its own.

[Lsx_Matt]

Sounds good. Thanks

[christianchevell]

You want the higher volume it does not run dry on your wet sump with 8 quarts,its not the higher pressure pump, but higher pressure readings results anyway from the increased volume, TSP even I believe ports out a pump also if desired.

Most on the building of a ls3 agree its pump is not as good as the increased volume pump of the l99, personally I also run Driven racing oil ls30, and a c5r chain because I just wanted the best out there , so for a difference in opinion.

Keeping adequate top end lubrication is essential for a good LS engine to last IMO. Increased stresses put on springs, rockers, pushrods and lifters are helped by adequate lubrication, and many doing the l99 never change out their pump, volume good : high pressure not so much basically.....Is my understanding, and most places offering up cams of course offer higher volume pumps. http://www.phastekperformance.com/20...pump-10355.htm People who run different engines for different reasons built different ways may desire pressure say to plumb some turbos with high pressure or what ever but most just go more volume to help being cammed. LS2 chains can be good though it in how tough the single roller is made basically also IMO....

[Clarkstar]

I got the melling 10296, high volume with my tsp stage 4 kit. Very happy with the pump, never run the pan dry.

[0331Marine]

Originally Posted by Punisher_ATX

High Volume is a BAD idea. Will suck the oil pan dry. The LS2 chain is good for 90% of builds and i run one in my personal car at over 700hp and 7500rpms. Now if you wanted an upgrade alot of people switch to a Rollmaster Timing Set and the IWIS chain that comes with it. Same company makes their chain that makes the c5r chain. Honestly never been one to spend money on the c5r as I have never seen an ls2 break on its own.

yeah, no it won't Lol

OP mine also came with the LS2 chain. I ended up using one frim Summit Racing. Side by side you could see the difference. Never seen any issues from the LS2 chain either.

[QUICRNU]

Originally Posted by Clarkstar

I got the melling 10296, high volume with my tsp stage 4 kit. Very happy with the pump, never run the pan dry.

10296 on my L99.... c5R chain also.

No dry pan in quarter mile, I also have a mechanical gauge installed.


Just my experience, also running the Driven LS30 and an external oil cooler.

[Punisher_ATX]

Maybe not as big of an issue in these cars but in many other applications we have seen oil starvation with a high volume. Id rather not risk it.

[STALKER]

I would have no reservations running the LS2 chain FWIW.

[Russell James]

Texas Speed won't steer you wrong, great people.

Pump wise... the different variations are very critical in the OEM applications. IE. an LS9 with piston oilers must have the high volume. An AFM motor must have a pump that matches the AFM system demands. A truck motor running 0w20 needs xyz pump....

When you go modified like your basic LS3... use same considerations... no piston oilers or AFM... then go with the pump you want your pressure to be. Stock valve springs, a stock pump works great. Stiff racing valve springs and hyd lifters, you want to up that pressure a bit... that's where the higher pressure pump is a good idea. Plus as the HP increases, you want to improve that bearing cushion with a bit more pressure and better oil.

Most high volume pumps are also a bit higher pressure, so 99.9% of the time I'd bet that is a fine choice also. But.... if one was using a high volume, and a low sump capacity, at a road course with a long wide open sweeper... in theory you could suck the pan low. Which is why cars like the LS9 ZR1 have a huge sump capacity. But.... it's a rare specific track issue... the conditions a ZR1 might see.
Which is why I think you see many doing great with the various pumps on an LS3.

The big mistake would be using the wrong pump on a motor with piston oilers, afm, lifters with orifices designed for 0w20....

The critical pump install musts.... pickup tube, o-ring and pump must match. There are some combinations that are a mismatch and create a leak at that o-ring. Always double check.... this is the right o-ring and pickup tube for this pump. And center the pump before final tightening... feeler gauge it, rotate the crank a few times. When you're sure it's centered tighten it home.

LS2/7 style of chain dampener is a good idea.

[Cuda7050]

Another factor not mentioned yet is HP loss due to crank case windage. Although I am not intimately familiar with the LS oil drain back design, on typical V8 engines a lot of oil returns to the pan by dripping down through the lifter valley. This drip falls directly into a spinning crank causing windage HP loss. A high volume pump will increase the amount of oil to the top end that runs down to the lifter valley and drops onto this spinning crankshaft. Race engine builders often change the oil return path by blocking off the lifter valley opening and force oil to return at the front or rear side of the block where they sometimes port the return passages for imporve oil return flow to avoid puddling in the lifter valley. So while the benefits of a high volume pump are noted in other posts, the drawbacks are real. The correct answer is complicated so I would just go with what TSP recommends, their the people familiar with your engine design and individual needs.

[Lsx_Matt]

Thanks! y'all gave a bunch of great insite to my build. Much appreciated

[christianchevell]

BTW improved racing also makes a improved windage tray for scraping the oil etc for most ls3s, I have a MAST windage tray because I am stroked and it had to be clearanced more as my large stroke....

[Pete]

High pressure for VVT.