All the while, I thought that auto and 4 speed cables would be the same.
oil pressure
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
oil pressure
What should the normal operating oil pressure be? 5.7 Vortec motor, my gauge hits 50 when not in gear but goes down to about a little over 40 when on the road at 3,000 RPM. Is this low?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I'd say your oil pressure is normal. I would go so far as to say that your pressure is probably above most of the C3's with stock motors out there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Thanks Eddie! After not driving her for close to a year, I forgot everything about her. Another thing, I transplanted a 4 speed in replacement of the TH350. I checked Corvette Central for speedo cables and they had 2 sizes for a 4 spd, which one should I get? The longer one or the shorter one?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
A minimum of 10 psi per 1000 rpm (hot) is the target, so as long as you're seeing that much you're fine. What you don't want is excessive pressure (i.e.: 80 at 3000, as such only serves to waste power, load more heat into the oil, increase wear on the oil pump drive gears and dizzy bushings/bearings, and may open your oil filter bypass more often.
You have cruise control? That make a difference between cables...
You have cruise control? That make a difference between cables...
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Apr 6, 2008 at 01:07 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Thanks Eddie! After not driving her for close to a year, I forgot everything about her. Another thing, I transplanted a 4 speed in replacement of the TH350. I checked Corvette Central for speedo cables and they had 2 sizes for a 4 spd, which one should I get? The longer one or the shorter one?
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
A minimum of 10 psi per 1000 rpm (hot) is the target, so as long as you're seeing that much you're fine. What you don't want is excessive pressure (i.e.: 80 at 3000, as such only serves to waste power, load more heat into the oil, increase wear on the oil pump drive gears and dizzy bushings/bearings, and may open your oil filter bypass more often.
You have cruise control? That make a difference between cables...
You have cruise control? That make a difference between cables...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
You don't happen to have an HP/HV pump, do you? That's an all too common cause. The standard pump is usually more than adequate for non-racing applications.
Oh, and go Tigers go!
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Apr 7, 2008 at 12:43 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Keep in mind that gauges aren't always accurate, so you might want to verify your pressures before making any drastic reduction. If your readings are correct, think about a lower viscosity oil (what weight you running now?) before anything else.
You don't happen to have an HP/HV pump, do you? That's an all too common cause. The standard pump is usually more than adequate for non-racing applications.
Oh, and go Tigers go!
You don't happen to have an HP/HV pump, do you? That's an all too common cause. The standard pump is usually more than adequate for non-racing applications.
Oh, and go Tigers go!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
BTW, congrats to KU. Our guys obviously couldn't finish the job.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If your oil pressure is 50 at idle and lower than that at highway speed, you may have a problem with the pressure regulator circuit in the pump. With a HV pump, those pressures could be the same, but it shouldn't be lower at a higher RPM. If yours is a stock pump, idle pressure should be in the 10-20 psi range at idle.
