C5 Corvette Oil Pump replacement
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
C5 Corvette Oil Pump replacement
Hey All,
I am in the process of replacing my harmonic balancer and in the process I figured I will replace my oil pump as well. My question is should I replace my timing chain and sprockets? Or can I continue to use my stock ones. Also, for the oil pump is there any specific shimming that needs to be done or can I just install the M295 melling pump?
EDIT:
143,000 Miles on the car currently
Thanks
- C5mobbin
I am in the process of replacing my harmonic balancer and in the process I figured I will replace my oil pump as well. My question is should I replace my timing chain and sprockets? Or can I continue to use my stock ones. Also, for the oil pump is there any specific shimming that needs to be done or can I just install the M295 melling pump?
EDIT:
143,000 Miles on the car currently
Thanks
- C5mobbin
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,388
Likes: 1,134
From: Dyer, IN
Hey All,
I am in the process of replacing my harmonic balancer and in the process I figured I will replace my oil pump as well. My question is should I replace my timing chain and sprockets? Or can I continue to use my stock ones. Also, for the oil pump is there any specific shimming that needs to be done or can I just install the M295 melling pump?
Thanks
- C5mobbin
I am in the process of replacing my harmonic balancer and in the process I figured I will replace my oil pump as well. My question is should I replace my timing chain and sprockets? Or can I continue to use my stock ones. Also, for the oil pump is there any specific shimming that needs to be done or can I just install the M295 melling pump?
Thanks
- C5mobbin
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,314
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
If I remember correctly, when I replaced my chain, I installed an LS2 chain, a GM part. I didn't replace my gears, however, because mine was a fairly low mileage car, at the time that I was working on it. (the obvious question, since it was a low mileage engine, why replace the chain. It's a prime example of "while I'm in there-itis. I was replacing the balancer, and "since I was that far into it.......)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 888
Likes: 980
From: NW Burbs of Chi-Town
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
When I did my head/cam/header project I had about 50k miles on it and used a Summit brand LS2 chain and a Summit brand oil pump. Most here recommend a higher pressure pump, but my Summit brand pump and chain are working fine with about 20k miles on them now. I don't race, don't rev it to the moon (6500 at most) and the Summit brand stuff has worked perfectly. The oil pump has 295 cast into it so I'm assuming it is a rebranded Melling pump. Just an option if you are just looking for stockish replacement parts. The Summit LS tools they sell work nice as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,682
Likes: 3,434
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
My race car uses a Summit brand LS2 chain and stock ported oil pump. I spin it to 7400rpm on occasion without issue. The stock pumps really dont go bad. I would not have any issue putting the stock one back one, but the Summit brand on is cheap and also reliable, while youre in there.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 877
Likes: 733
From: SW Desert
Curious as to why you are considering changing the oil pump. Are you having any oil pressure related issues? At 143K I'd be inclined to replace the balancer and keep driving until you decide to do any type of rebuild.