oil pump - which one to get?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
oil pump - which one to get?
I don't know anything about oil pumps, or what's involved with replacing them. My engine is torn down with my mechanic, so among other things, I thought it would be a very smart idea to replace the oil pump as well.
Has 67,000 miles on it. Using my stock oil pan. Looking at the Summit catalog, I have several choices. I'm not sure if a replacement same as OE is the way to go (see my mods in sig). Is a "high volume" one smarter to get? What associated parts will I need?
For example, Summitracing has a Melling MEL-M55HV @ $21.88 but you need a hardened "intermediate shaft" (uh, is that a "driveshaft"?) so I figure an ARP driveshaft kit ARP-134-7901 @ $13.88 fits the bill. But it doesn't include
a "pickup" (what's that?). Do I need a new pickup?........
Summit also has Melling MEL-10555 @ $59.98 and sell the pickup separately for $9.95. I guess that would fix the whole thing.
Before I disintegrate into 1 million pieces :lol: I would like some advice before I talk to the boys at Summit, or anywhere else :)
Has 67,000 miles on it. Using my stock oil pan. Looking at the Summit catalog, I have several choices. I'm not sure if a replacement same as OE is the way to go (see my mods in sig). Is a "high volume" one smarter to get? What associated parts will I need?
For example, Summitracing has a Melling MEL-M55HV @ $21.88 but you need a hardened "intermediate shaft" (uh, is that a "driveshaft"?) so I figure an ARP driveshaft kit ARP-134-7901 @ $13.88 fits the bill. But it doesn't include
a "pickup" (what's that?). Do I need a new pickup?........
Summit also has Melling MEL-10555 @ $59.98 and sell the pickup separately for $9.95. I guess that would fix the whole thing.
Before I disintegrate into 1 million pieces :lol: I would like some advice before I talk to the boys at Summit, or anywhere else :)
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: oil pump - which one to get? (bradvette)
a hardened "intermediate shaft" (uh, is that a "driveshaft"?) so I figure an ARP driveshaft kit ARP-134-7901 @ $13.88 fits the bill. But it doesn't include
a "pickup" (what's that?). Do I need a new pickup?........
a "pickup" (what's that?). Do I need a new pickup?........
The "pick up" is the tube that runs between the bottom of the pan and the oil pump. It has a large circular intake open only on the bottom. A new pick up is also, almost a must. You never know what might be lurking on the old pick up.
The standard tube size for the pick up is 5/8ths". The 10555 pump you found is a later model pump with for a 3/4" pick up tube inlet. If you decide to go with that pump, the pick up is no longer an option.
The stock Melling, M55 is a great pump. Another option to consider is the M55A. It has a higher pressure relief valve spring and is capable of higher pressures. Go nuts!
RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Re: oil pump - which one to get? (CFI-EFI)
:iagree: with CFI-EFI. I have put a melling m-55 pump melling heavy duty shaft and stock melling pick-up. I have never liked the high oil pressure that gm put into the stock motors. Rule of thumb is that you need 10 lbs of pressure per 1000 rpm. The melling pump will give 65-70 psi on cold start up. It will give 50-55 lbs at highway speeds and as low as 20 lbs at idle on a hot day. I like these pressures much better that stock.Pump, pick up, and shaft are available locally and should only cost about $40 total. Also a high volume pump has larger gears. This robs horsepower a bit and accellerates distributor gear wear. Just my $.02
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: oil pump - which one to get? (Pete K)
Pete and Jim, heyt thanks for taking me to school :cheers: Now I understand.
I'll go with the Melling M55HV, and the associated Melling hardened driveshaft & pickup. Summit just quoted me about $38 for the whole shibang. Not too shabby. Great insurance :D
Only thing is, I'm not too excited about accelerated distributor gear wear, or a little hp loss for that matter :( Is this really much of an issue? I'm all about longevity, I suppose most folks here are.
I'll go with the Melling M55HV, and the associated Melling hardened driveshaft & pickup. Summit just quoted me about $38 for the whole shibang. Not too shabby. Great insurance :D
Only thing is, I'm not too excited about accelerated distributor gear wear, or a little hp loss for that matter :( Is this really much of an issue? I'm all about longevity, I suppose most folks here are.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Re: oil pump - which one to get? (bradvette)
Brad, be sure that the pickup that you buy matches the one that you remove. 9 times out of ten the parts guy sells you the standard chevy pick up. The l-98 corvette uses a specific pick up that alot of catalogs don't list(or they list the wrong one. Match up to your origional when removes and you will be ok
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Oakley Ca
Re: oil pump - which one to get? (vader86)
:iagree: with vader. Use the stock pump, as chevys have excellent oiling systems, according to John Lingenfelter. Lingenfelter also suggests the stock pump. The high volume pump hits the bottom of the Corvette pan and the welded on pickup hits the baffle. Use the m55 and add a couple washers to the spring or use the m55a and forget the washers. You don't need the high volume and the extra wear to the dist. gear.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: oil pump - which one to get? (olman)
olman, thanks for that advice. similar advice has been coming in to that effect. i was wondering about the HV version not being compatible. i also understand the HV could cause the crankshaft bearings to burn out.
:chevy
:chevy
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski