Tweet
Most Chevy people put a "high volume" oil pump in their engines whenever they get the chance, it seems.
A Pontiac buddy of mine says that they don't make a "high volume" oil pump for Pontiacs, only a "high pressure".
I have a layman's understanding of hydraulics, pressure, volume, flow, and so on... but the difference between high volume and high pressure pumps has me a bit confused. I've been told that the "high pressure" (sbc) pump just has a stiffer spring inside it, though I'm not 100% sure what that means. I've also been told that the bearing clearances (and oil thickness) determine the oil pressure, not the pump.
I realize the physical difference between a high volume and a standard pump is the size of the rotors that suck/force the oil into the system; larger surface area sucks/forces more oil... but if you force more oil through the same size hole, wont that raise your pressure as well as your volume?
I'm under the impression that high volume pumps aren't a good idea if you are doing the land speed thing, as they can suck your oil pan dry, but "extra insurance" if you have a drag car that only blasts high rpm's for short periods. I also understand how and why a high volume oil pump is a greater drag on the system, reducing the power output of the engine.
I'd like to know if a "high volume" oil pump is ever really necessary in a real world engine with proper bearing clearances.
Is it completely unecessary unless your bearings are wearing out and you wish to postpone a rebuild? I realize that each brand, type, or generation of motor has different requirements. My curiosities lie in the small block chevy... but I'm certainly willing to learn about what any engine guru has to say about other engines.
Your thoughts...
Your experiences...
Please discuss:
A Pontiac buddy of mine says that they don't make a "high volume" oil pump for Pontiacs, only a "high pressure".
I have a layman's understanding of hydraulics, pressure, volume, flow, and so on... but the difference between high volume and high pressure pumps has me a bit confused. I've been told that the "high pressure" (sbc) pump just has a stiffer spring inside it, though I'm not 100% sure what that means. I've also been told that the bearing clearances (and oil thickness) determine the oil pressure, not the pump.
I realize the physical difference between a high volume and a standard pump is the size of the rotors that suck/force the oil into the system; larger surface area sucks/forces more oil... but if you force more oil through the same size hole, wont that raise your pressure as well as your volume?
I'm under the impression that high volume pumps aren't a good idea if you are doing the land speed thing, as they can suck your oil pan dry, but "extra insurance" if you have a drag car that only blasts high rpm's for short periods. I also understand how and why a high volume oil pump is a greater drag on the system, reducing the power output of the engine.
I'd like to know if a "high volume" oil pump is ever really necessary in a real world engine with proper bearing clearances.
Is it completely unecessary unless your bearings are wearing out and you wish to postpone a rebuild? I realize that each brand, type, or generation of motor has different requirements. My curiosities lie in the small block chevy... but I'm certainly willing to learn about what any engine guru has to say about other engines.
Your thoughts...
Your experiences...
Please discuss:
Comment