Oil Pressure

[digitech]

Just wondering if my oil pressure is too high - I'm running about 55psi @ 3000 rpm and about 65psi @ 4000, engine warm. When the engine is cold, the pressure can get up to about 80 psi - this is before the thermostat on my oil cooler opens. Are these numbers in the ball park?

[divace73]

what gauge are you using to measure the pressure?
I don't know what are the normal ranges are, others will pipe up soon, however the Fiat Veglia Borletti gauge are not really that accurate, more of a measure if there is or isn't pressure.
Veglia is also known as Vague Liars......

[digitech]

Yep, didn't think the gauge was that accurate _ indication purposes only, but I would expect most will show similar numbers for a given input so I just need to know what others are seeing on their gauges for 3000 rpm.

[vandor]

That does sound higher than most Spiders, but I have seen a few like that.
I would say normal is ~50 psi warm at 3-4000 rpm, and it usually does not get much above that (maybe 60 psi) when revved.
Cold idle is usually 40-50 psi, hot idle 10-20 psi.

[vandor]

> the Fiat Veglia Borletti gauge are not really that accurate

The ones I had were always pretty close when checked against a mechanical gauge. It was never meant to be within 1-2 psi accuracy - and the cheapo mechanical gauges some people install certainly are not going to be any more accurate.

[giuliot60]

I'm getting 20psi at idle and it goes up to about the 50-60 range at the higher revs (3-4K). I have a mechanical aftermarket gauge the PO installed, and using Rotella 15-40 weight. And that's in NC since the spring (pretty warm weather).

I'd like to replace the existing gauge with something better. Any suggestions? Or does the "If it ain't broke..." phrase apply to my situation?

[digitech]

Thanks Csaba, that's what I was looking for. This car has an oil cooler on it I bought from the old Bayless; although I'm sure it helps the engine run a bit cooler, especially in the summer here, I can't help wondering if it's raising my pressure some and maybe remove it? Any thoughts or experiences?

[vandor]

I would raise you pressure only if it is a restriction, and the oil pressure sender is before the oil cooler.
If it is indeed a restriction I would get rid of it.
FWIW, I used to have an oil temp gauge (still do, it's just not connected), and the only time oil temp got real hot was on long highway drives.

[So Cal Mark]

the VDO gauges are accurate and look quite similar to the original Veglia gauges

[BEEK]

as a rule 10lbs or oil pressure per 1000 rpm, thats what we wanted in all of the race cars, we could set the pressure externally on the dry sump systems and that is the formula that was recommended by all of the engine builders