I am running Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 and my oil pressure seems low, and also become an issue when i am on the race track pulling Gs.

At idle when its warm i saw it all the way down to 22psi. Starts around 40 when cold then once its warm and i am crusing on the highway it is below 30psi. Seems low to me.

I have an LS2 and had to rebuild the motor which is now a 403ci and the guy who did it, was going to modify a stock oil pump to increase the spring pressure and flow a bit to help with the Road Racing.

I wondered what other people run for typical cold start (and ambient start temperature, maybe like garage temp & psi) and also hot running. I have a 160* thermostat so my oil typically runs about 196-199* when i am cruising on the highway.

I just am trying to keep tabs on my new engine and see how it is running after i have taken it to the race track twice.

Any other things i should watch with a new engine as well.

Coolant maxed out at 203* while i was running really hard at the race track but the oil got up to 270* when it was 70* outside, that worrys me what it would be like with 100+* texas summers.

I would like to still enjoy the car, but don't wanna burn it up.

 

Maybe i need to switch to like Amsoil or something more raceworthy.

 

Mine is 28-30 psi cruising at 1500 rpm warmed up. Start up is ~40 psi. Temp seems about right at cruise. So it seems normal to at cruise/idle.

Do you have an oil cooler? ie Z51 option.

What is the pressure at 4500 & higher RPM?

 

I do have the Z51 option.

On the track the oil got up to 270* for the highest point, but i know there was a point where I had to come into the hot pit and when i was resting and it was hot i saw 9psi, that scared me, but it was under idle so not running hard then.

While running hard my oil pressure didn't get that high either, at race temps it was down to ~20psi maybe 19-22 during some turns, but not that much higher even when going straight under full throttle. Maybe 30psi max, no 50s or anything even at high RPMs.

I wouldn't doubt a thicker weight might keep things a bit more in check, and an Accusump would be a good idea for the hard turns as i keep pushing things harder and running with better tires. Right now its just R888s but i would be afraid to run Hoosiers.

 

Though it doesn't meet GM 4718M, with a built engine you might consider using this:
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic Premium Protection 10w40 (Product Code AMOQT)
This oil has a higher viscosity which it looks like your engine needs, and it has high levels of anti-wear additives (zinc – 1378 ppm, phosphorus 1265 ppm). I used this oil in my 02 Z06 for several seasons before AMSOIL came out with a true racing oil.

I'm more than happy to ensure forum members can get AMSOIL at dealer wholesale, about 25% below retail, via the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program. Drop me a PM if interested.

 

More than likely your builder inadverdantly put more main bearing clearance in your 403 than the stock engine had...I bet your oil pressure was better with original engine. This happens all too often. A 5 cent washer properly installed under relief spring will give you more pressure but that involves mechanical work to get at the pump. I would run heavier wt oil when at the track. Higher grades of oil will do nothing for your pressure. Make sure you run a synthetic as it will stick to the surfaces a little longer than reg. oil. I track my car and just replaced the 403 with an ls7 build that has great pressure.

 

The engine builder likely built you a "loose" engine. Does your new engine USE an unusual amount of oil also?

 

Yes it seems to use a fair amount of oil. I was wondering about that as well.

What could the "loose" engine mean in the long term?