They say there are no stupid questions, only stupid people, so this is probably going to make me look stupid ... but what is a good amount of oil pressure?

My 89 firebird (V8) stays around 60, which is the top of the gauge range and my 02 camaro (V6) stays around 60, which is the middle of the gauge range. I have always thought that was good, but I was reading "How to Build Max Performance Chevy Small Block on a Budget" by David Vizard and in it he mentions oil pressures down around 30 and wouldn't want them to get up to 60. Is talking about older generation carbureted engines or what??

 

The induction system doesn't have any effect on the oil system.

General rule of thumb is 10 psi for every 1000 RPMs of engine speed. You can probably get by with less with a quality synthetic oil.

The factory dash gage is a poor way to obtain quantitative oil pressure data. If you're going for trends, it's probably okay, but take it with a grain of salt (especially high pressure). To get "real" pressure data, attach a mechanical gage, at least temporarily.

 

So what you are saying is that it seems that it is a little high, but nothing to worry about??

 

60psi is fine, though maybe not the best for windage purposes (more oil coming down and getting thrown around by the crank, probably what was being talked about in the book). I think you might be a little confused too, The rule of thumb is MINIMUM 10psi/1000rpm, being a little higher wont hurt.

All depends on what you want, longevity or another couple hp?

Put a manual or high quality electronic gauge on there and see what you get.

 

OK, sounds like a new / better gauge is something I need to do.

In reference to the what I want question ... longevity or higher HP ... I am assuming that longevity wants higher oil pressure and higher HP wants lower HP, or am I confused again?? Is there a happy medium??

 

Correct, longevity wants lots of fresh oil splashing around on everything to keep it cool and well lubed.

If you want every last HP you dont want all of that oil flying around, as lame as it may sound, the oil splashing around off of the crank (and other parts of the rotating assy) does rob power. Thats why guys run windage plates, minimal ammounts of oil and even go as far as modifying oil passages in the blocks and dropping oil pressure/flow. Dry sump is the next step...

 

84z28350, thanks for the great info and expertise ... but I am going to bug you for one more question ...

I live in El Paso, TX, where the temperatures can peak into the low 100's during summer. I have heard that running 20w-50 might be a good idea for that one oil change during the 3 hot summer months because the engine needs a higher viscosity oil to handle the extreme air temperature. I run 10w-30 during the rest of the year. Is the 20w-50 over-kill??