When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
New product that will help keep unfiltered oil from going through your LT1/LT4!
SacCityCorvette's
Precision LT1/LT4 Billet Barbell and other Oil System Improvement products!
The Oil Galley Barbell in your LTI/LT4 based engine is something that is over looked. And yet it serves a very important mission of directing oil to the oil filter. If oil leaks past the Barbell it will go unfiltered directly to the Cam Bearing, Lifters, Crank and Rod Bearings. (See Diagram Below) The factory Barbell is approximately .020” to loose so particles as big as 500 Microns can leak past the factory Barbell. Your oil filter will filter out 15 to 25 Microns depend on the brand of filter. Our 7075 Aluminum Precision Billet Barbell fits with approximately .001” clearance which will let only about 20-25 Microns pass by, that same as the filter.
Another important part is the shaft of the Barbell. The oil has to flow around it to get though the oil port. Our Billet Barbell has a 30% smaller shaft for much less flow restriction.
We have also added a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the end of our Barbell for easy removal. Just screw a 1/4-20 bolt in and pull the barbell out. No more digging and prying to get the factory one out.
Better engine protection from much less and smaller particles bypassing, smaller less restrictive shaft for better oil flow, replaceable High Temperature Viton O ring and for ease of service a threaded 1/4-20 hole.
Why would you ever put the plastic factory Barbell back in your expensive LS engine build?
Also fits other GM Gen 5 Engines
5.3L V8 EcoTec3 L83 Truck Engine
6.2L V8 EcoTec3 L86 Truck Engine
LT1 & LT4.
Hi DSOMrulz,
This is an internal part that is located behind the rear main seal cover.
So it would be something you would install if you have your engine apart or at least the rear main cover off.
Added a diagram so you can see where it goes.
Thank you,
Christian
Last edited by SacCityCorvette; 04-29-2017 at 12:27 AM.
Hi DSOMrulz,
This is an internal part that is located behind the rear main seal cover.
So it would be something you would install if you have your engine apart or at least the rear main cover off.
Added a diagram so you can see where it goes.
OK, so if this diverter valve does activate and provide the filtering action you describe, ultimately the valve would clog up, right? So what happens with our engine then?
OK, so if this diverter valve does activate and provide the filtering action you describe, ultimately the valve would clog up, right? So what happens with our engine then?
To expand on what laserdude2215 said. The oil hits the barbell/diverter and gets directed down to the filter. The hole in the block that the barbell sits in and is plugging is perfectly round. The problem is the the factory barbell does not seal very good because it fits loose and its not even perfectly round, so oil can flow past it that is not filtered letting particles through that are much larger than what the filter would stop. These particles go straight to the cam bearings, lifters, main & rod bearings.
Hope that helps explain how the barbell works.
To expand on what laserdude2215 said. The oil hits the barbell/diverter and gets directed down to the filter. The hole in the block that the barbell sits in and is plugging is perfectly round. The problem is the the factory barbell does not seal very good because it fits loose and its not even perfectly round, so oil can flow past it that is not filtered letting particles through that are much larger than what the filter would stop. These particles go straight to the cam bearings, lifters, main & rod bearings.
Hope that helps explain how the barbell works.
Thank you,
Christian
Wouldn't the rubber seal on the factory barbell prevent that from leaking?
Why would GM go out of their way to have that there. And how does this INCREASE oil flow?
Hi,
The Oil Diverter (Barbell) is just part of the oil systems design and needs to be there.
Our Billet Barbell's 30% smaller shaft size design is what increases oil flow. The shaft is right in the flow of oil, so by making the shaft smaller the oil is less restricted as it flows by.
Long story short, no easy way to install this with the engine in the car? Sounds like a no brainer to update this part but I don't have plans on pulling the engine anytime soon.
Long story short, no easy way to install this with the engine in the car? Sounds like a no brainer to update this part but I don't have plans on pulling the engine anytime soon.
Hi mcoomer,
We would not recommend anyone pull their engine apart just to install the Barbell. But if your engine is apart , like you said its a no brainer.
04-28-2017, 07:46 PM
New product that will help keep unfiltered oil from going through your LT1/LT4!
