5.3 LM7 oil pump advise please.

BShore

BShore

Huh?
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Location
Charlotte
While swapping out my 5.3 truck oil pan and pick up to an F-body style set up, I broke the bolt off in the oil pump that holds the pickup tube on. I thought I could cheat and dial my ft/lbs torque wrench down to 8.8 and it would be the same as the 106in/lbs. Mathematically, yes, real world, Ehh-ehh, WRONG-O. :handed::wtf: -Doesn't begin to describe how pissed I was when it happened.

Seeing as how now is a perfect time to replace my oil pump, I was thinking of upgrading to a Melling high volume-high pressure unit #10296. This one comes with a low pressure optional spring to flow more volume, but at stock pressure. (I'm only @100K miles on the motor according to the seller)

I'd like to hear from guys who have had any experience on running a 10296 or comparable high flow pump. I have read maaaaany different opinions on all sorts of sites as to whether it will "suck the oil pan dry" or cause leaks, ect, but most have been from pavement racers, not those who put their motors in off camber situations.

I am considering using the high flow Melling with the "stock pressure" spring. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the help, I'd love to see you all at the ECORS DPG race. (as a spectator)

-Brandon Shore
 
I'd just get a stock one. They oil pretty dang good. They can be shimmed to up pressure if that's what you're worried about. I've seen that a lot of guys have had good luck with the Melling hi-volume pumps. They make two different models. One is constant hi flow/pressure, another one flows higher above a certain RPM and is around stock below that. However, the oil passage holes on the block are still the same size so it's kind of a toss up if you'll really get more flow.

What weight oil are you going to be using? I'd stick with 5w-30 or 10w-30.
 
Thanks for the input. I am running 10W-30, and my oil pressures have always been perfectly fine. I'm leaning towards a "stock pressure" pump, just needing to decide high flow or not. Thanks.
 
Couldn't hurt right? What kinda of price difference is there?
 
I just got a hook up on a new high flow stock pressure oil pump from Will at Right Side Performance ordered today. I'm going to give it a shot and see how it works. I'm sure it will be tits. (perfect and just what I need)
 
Tits :D


I'm fixin to throw a cam in the 4.8 that's in my Silverado over there to the left in that little picture. Kinda half ass thinking about putting a new oil pump on it....if I put a new timing set, I have to pull it off to get the lower gear off anyway. Then again, I'm thinking about what heads I could run and what intake, etc. :shaking:

It was soooo much easier to put a cam in the 6BT in my K30. Just a cam and valve spring swap. No computer tuning, no hardened pushrods, no timing chain set, and no oil pump!
 
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