Normal LS3 oil pressure
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 186
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From: Gainesville Georgia
Normal LS3 oil pressure
My O8 C6 bone stock LS3 has been in the garage for the past 3 weeks. I thought I would take it out for a long drive since it's been sitting for a while. At start up the oil pressure idles at 40 PSI and after a 5-10 minute warm up it still reads 39-40 PSI, The more throttle you give it the higher the oil pressure rises. (my C5 would start up with 40 PSI but it never acted this way regardless of RPM.) At 1500 RPM's it's reading 55-60 at 1800 - 2000 RPM's it will climb to 75 - 80 PSI pegging out the gauge. Once the engine is shut off the gauge drops to Zero.
Any idea what is going on giving the above info or is this normal? I've only driven about 300 miles since i purchased this C6. I just never noticed the oil pressure reaching pressures that high..
Any idea what is going on giving the above info or is this normal? I've only driven about 300 miles since i purchased this C6. I just never noticed the oil pressure reaching pressures that high..
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Oil pressures will be higher until the oil is at operating temp which will be about 185 to 205 F. This will take longer than a 5 to 10 minute warm-up. Your oil pressures are normal for oil not fully warmed up.
What are the oil pressures at idle and at rpm once the car has fully warmed up (after about 30 minutes or so driving)?
What are the oil pressures at idle and at rpm once the car has fully warmed up (after about 30 minutes or so driving)?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 186
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From: Gainesville Georgia
Spaceme1117, Thanks, I didn't go for a drive afraid something was wrong. I'll check it tomorrow. As I recall the oil pressure stays about 39-42 unless you get on the gas. Today I let it idle for about 20 minutes oil temp was about 183 and the coolant temp was 209. Oil pressure would still rise to 75-80 PSI even at oil temps of 180.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 1,858
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Spaceme1117, Thanks, I didn't go for a drive afraid something was wrong. I'll check it tomorrow. As I recall the oil pressure stays about 39-42 unless you get on the gas. Today I let it idle for about 20 minutes oil temp was about 183 and the coolant temp was 209. Oil pressure would still rise to 75-80 PSI even at oil temps of 180.
On my 2011 Grand Sport, it is a manual trans and so has the dry sump system. Oil pressures on cold start run about 55 psi and even a slight blip of the throttle pegs the needle. Once warm, idle pressure drops to about 45 psi but still nearly pegs out on rev. But this is quite normal.
I am assuming your car does not have a dry sump so while your pressures are on the higher side, I don't think they are any cause for concern.
If you were still concerned on the health of your engine, you could always take an oil sample and have is sent to Black Stone labs.
Last edited by Spaceme1117; Mar 3, 2020 at 06:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 186
Likes: 64
From: Gainesville Georgia
Thanks I feel better I'll take it out tomorrow and see what happens by the way no leaks. Yes I'm familiar with Black Stone had them do my C5. Again thanks I'll see what happens tomorrow.
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
I have an oil accumulator setup for track use and if I don't let it warm up the pressure in the accumulator will be 80psi. Cold idle is 40psi, when the oil temp is 200 pressure is 30psi and when I come off the track and the oil temp is 300 the oil pressure is around 20.
