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High Volume Oil Pump?

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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 10:08 AM
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Default High Volume Oil Pump?

So, it seems I have to change my rear main seal. Got a little drip. Anyway, the guy that is going to do the work suggested while the pan is dropped we change out the stock oil pump for a high volume one.

Anyone have thoughts on this? Worth doing? This is an original L48 matching #'s motor with 72k miles. Does changing it to a non-stock oil pump mess with the "originality" of the car?
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 10:15 AM
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I would put a stock pump back on it but not a HV. HV were intended for engines that had loose bearing clearances or run at very high rpms for extended period of time. I don't see either of these being your case. Along with that an HV pump takes more HP from the engine over stock to turn.

Chris Straub
Stef's Performance Products
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Cstraub69
I would put a stock pump back on it but not a HV. HV were intended for engines that had loose bearing clearances or run at very high rpms for extended period of time. I don't see either of these being your case. Along with that an HV pump takes more HP from the engine over stock to turn.

Chris Straub
Stef's Performance Products
he has a point, howver, on my last 350 rebuild i put in a melling high volume oil pump, primairly becuse of the problem with gm block not getting enough oil to the #1 main bearing, as an afterthought i should have put in a high pressure one, and that what i would reccomend for you. the other thing to be carefull about would be that HV pupms move alot of oilaround, and if your not careful its possible though not necesarily probable to run the pan dry on extended highway runs


.02

tim
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by sweethence
he has a point, howver, on my last 350 rebuild i put in a melling high volume oil pump, primairly becuse of the problem with gm block not getting enough oil to the #1 main bearing, as an afterthought i should have put in a high pressure one, and that what i would reccomend for you. the other thing to be carefull about would be that HV pupms move alot of oilaround, and if your not careful its possible though not necesarily probable to run the pan dry on extended highway runs

.02

tim
So HIGH PRESSURE versus HIGH VOLUME? Interesting...so what high pressure pump specifically would you suggest?
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Eric79-L48
So HIGH PRESSURE versus HIGH VOLUME? Interesting...so what high pressure pump specifically would you suggest?

Melling is the standard fro normal applications, and can be found at napa or from any of the performance catalogs

look here

http://www.cantonracingproducts.com/...s/melling.html
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 12:20 PM
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I replace my stock pumps with high volume pumps when I pull an oil pan on a high mileage car. I have never had any problem doing this but replacing with a stock pump is probably just as good. Does the high volume pump do a better job? I really have to say, I don't know. but for the price, it doesn't hurt either. As far as originality is concerned. Your engine doesn't care, and no one else knows or can tell.
Bernie
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 12:43 PM
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There's millions of small block chev engines around that ran for hundreds of thousands of miles each with out anyneed for a hi-vo or hi-po oil pump.

Why do you suddenly need one now?
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 12:45 PM
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i had a high pressure pump in my old s-10's 2.8L v6 and i ran 80psi at idle and over 100psi at cruise . for most applications, stock pumps are acceptable.
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
There's millions of small block chev engines around that ran for hundreds of thousands of miles each with out anyneed for a hi-vo or hi-po oil pump.

Why do you suddenly need one now?
For the same reason people upgrade waterpumps yeah the old one worked, but there is always room for improvement



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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 01:20 PM
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With only 72,000 miles on it, I can't see replacing it unless there seems to be a problem with the oil pressure. Spend you money on something more important. I've seen oil pumps fail with less than a 100,000 miles but not often.
Bernie
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by BerniesVette
With only 72,000 miles on it, I can't see replacing it unless there seems to be a problem with the oil pressure. Spend you money on something more important. I've seen oil pumps fail with less than a 100,000 miles but not often.
Bernie

I dont ,

the puimp itself is only 35 bucks,,as long as youve got the pan off change it out yeah it may go another 30 k without trouble, But Mr. murphy is an old friend of mine, and while he would normally leave your oil pump alone, if you dont change it while the pan is off he is bound to rear his ugly head

Change it out, stock or hi po your choice, but change it
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
There's millions of small block chev engines around that ran for hundreds of thousands of miles each with out anyneed for a hi-vo or hi-po oil pump.

Why do you suddenly need one now?


unless your engine is machined for hi rpm's (extra tolerences), hi-volume or hi-pressure is only going to cost you power, it wont add to the power nor prolong engine life.
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Eric79-L48
what high pressure pump specifically would you suggest?
Summitt has a pump kit made for Corvettes, it matched the original exactly. They claim 70 PSI, haven't been able to verify that yet. Part # SES-3-60-08-002.

As to whether to replace it or not depends on your attitude about preventative maintenance. Some people try to replace old parts before they break, others wait until they break/if they break.
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 03:30 PM
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I put a high volume in my engine when I rebuilt it, and pulled it out after a couple thousand miles. The drive gear showed a lot of wear for so few miles, and I didn't like the excessively high pressure. It would peg the needle when cold or during high RPM. Too much oil pressure increases the chances of oil leaks, and can force too much oil into hydraulic lifters. I would strongly suggest a standard pump based on my experience.

Ken
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 03:40 PM
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Is your mechanic's name Bubba or Goober ?

You need a HV/HP pump on stock L48 like you need a hole in the head. A HV/HP could do more damge than good in your application. I don't even run one at 550HP. Fix the leak and forget about the pump, put that money toward a new set of valve covers.
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 11:08 PM
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I'm running a HV not HP on my 355 since I spent a lot of extra time during the build on radiusing the oil passages, combined with a 7qt oil pan should ensure I have adequate oil flow & volume during rapid acceleration. My time = nothing, HV Melling = +$20 over standard volume pump. Extra insurance = priceless.

My .02 is that while the pan is off, replace the oil pump with a stock volume one and save the extra $ on the HV or HP. Unless you've spent the time on readying the engine for the HV or HP, no sense in using either.
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Old Mar 1, 2006 | 01:45 AM
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Originally Posted by MotorHead
Is your mechanic's name Bubba or Goober ?

You need a HV/HP pump on stock L48 like you need a hole in the head. A HV/HP could do more damge than good in your application. I don't even run one at 550HP. Fix the leak and forget about the pump, put that money toward a new set of valve covers.
Smooth flow is far more important than "High Volume" or "High Pressure" But replacing the pump is a good idea since the pan is off! I like to use Moroso part # 22100 it is a little more than the standard Melling mv55 but is a better unit also.
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Old Mar 1, 2006 | 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by sweethence
For the same reason people upgrade waterpumps yeah the old one worked, but there is always room for improvement
OK, tell me what exactly is being 'improved' in either case. Different, yes better, no.
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Old Mar 1, 2006 | 06:52 AM
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So based on what I am reading, for my 100% stock L48 with 72k miles I am going with the Melling M55 Standard Oil Pump. Aside from the "religious" issues, as it were, any reason why this is a bad idea??
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Old Mar 1, 2006 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Eric79-L48
So based on what I am reading, for my 100% stock L48 with 72k miles I am going with the Melling M55 Standard Oil Pump. Aside from the "religious" issues, as it were, any reason why this is a bad idea??
Souinds fine to me, as you can see there are far and wide opinions on the subject. But the point about having the motor set up for use of the HV or HP pump are a recurring theme, and as i was reading it, i was thinkin of my engine which i rebuilt to take advantage of the HP pump vs yours wich is more maintanance on an existing engine.



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good luck


tim
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