ChipN

Hello Everyone,

I changed my oil today and used a UPF44 Ultraguard filter (instead of the regular PF44). My oil pressure at idle increased from 40 psi (PF44) to 50 psi (UPF44). I'm going to drive around more tomorrow and see if this continues, but I was wondering if anyone else has seen this and whether or not I should be concerned.

Thanks.

Chip

DeeGee

I used the same filter

Cant say as saw as big an increase but I'd say thats nothing to worry about. 50 psi is right on the sweet spot IMHO.

silversport

that is the knock on these filters...I used them for a while (when they were Delco Gold and then after "we" brought them back)...I think it was on the "Bob's the oil guy" website or something but I had seen higher pressure results too...the knock was that it did indeed filter better but that it raised oil pressure to do it (seems to make sense)...I have used the K&N oil filters ever since...
Bill

Higgs Boson

I have tried Mobil, K&N, NAPA Gold, etc and also different weights and even tried switching from a stock motor to a stroker motor and my hot oil pressure at idle is always 35.

silversport

have you tried the UPF44???...I think that's the point...I have tried the Mobil 1, K&N and stocker PF44 and the pressure was always the same...when I tried the UPF44...pressure went up...
Bill

Higgs Boson

No I haven't tried it.

ChipN

Thanks for the comments. After 10-15 minutes of driving when the engine and oil were at normal operating temperatures the pressure at idle dropped to 45 psi. So, still higher than the PF44, but it sounds like it is nothing to worry about for now.

It would seem that this filter would have a greater tendency to get dirty and clog (although my 2,500 miles/season shouldn't be too taxing) so I will keep a close eye on oil pressure and switch this out if it increases in the coming months.

In the meantime I will check out the K&N filters. I have four more of the UPF44 so I would like to use them as long as they don't damage my car.

Chip

ChipN

One last question...

Since I've been watching the pressure so closely I have noticed that it takes approximately two seconds after starting the car to register oil pressure, and it takes another second to get to full pressure. I never really paid attention to this before.

I would appreciate it if a few of you could watch your oil pressure guage at startup and let me know what you see. Thank you.

Chip

Higgs Boson

That's normal. In fact, when the race cars sit between races for a week or two, we spin the motors without firing them to build the oil pressure back up. After it builds up we fire them and run them. You can't do this with a street car since the starter and ignition are both fired off the same switch (key). The race cars have a button to spin the starter and a switch to fire the ignition (separate).

ChipN

Thanks Higgs - good to know.