Oil pressure

[MiniStocker]

Hey guys, I have a question. Upon cold start-up, I have over 100psi of oil pressure. I have a 1.8L with a solid lifter GTI head. I am running the '84 GTI oil pump also. I had Valvoline 20W50 and the pressure was just over 100psi. When I went to straight 30wt, I lost a small amount of pressure. When the car warms up some, the pressure drops to 85, possibly more as the car is still in the garage (hasn't been raced yet). I've seen in a book that I own that this is normal for earlier VW's. Is it ok for racing? What oil pumps are you guys running, What oil? What kinds of presures do you guys get. I'm kind of concerned at this point. I am very used to Ford 2300's. They start at 75psi and warm up to 60-65psi. VW is still pretty new to me.

Thank you very much for your time. I am greatly looking forward to your responses.

Scott

[Bill Miller]

Scott,

90 - 100 psi on start-up, especially w/ 20/50 oil is pretty common. I use Redline 15/50 in my race car, and I still get 75 psi at WOT when it's up to race temps. I'm probably going to try a thinner oil. I used to run 0/30 in my ITA MR2.

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MARRS #25 ITB Rabbit GTI

[machschnell]

Someone said that oil pressure should be relational to RPM as in 3000rpm = 30 psi, 4500rpm = 45 psi. I'm assuming that's when warmed up. This is about what I see when running on the highway, etc.

Makes me curious how you guys see such high pressure on starting up, I don't get that. Maybe I should check my oil pump, would there be any other reason why I wouldn't get 100 psi on startup, I've got a new pressure sender and gauge.

PJ

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83 Rabbit GTI - future ITB

[joeg]

The 10lb. per thousand "Golden Rule" is for a thoroughly warmed up engine.

Cold oil always shows high pressures in a cold engine, which you have at start-up.

In my engine (not a VW), 80 to 85 at start is very good on Mobil One 15W50; at 180 degrees water temp, 8+ lbs per 1000rpm is fine.

[Joe Craven]

Don't rev that cold engine too much or you'll blow something. The high pressure with thick oils is normal, and I've even seen oil filters blowup from the pressure. I now run thinner oils in my A1 GTI, and refrain from revving it until it warms a bit.

[MiniStocker]

Thanks alot for your replies, would a GTI oil/water heat exchanger/cooler help the oil to heat up to operating temperature faster, or would this be a waste of my time?

Thanks,
Scott

[Bill Miller]

I doubt that it will make any difference in a race car.

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MARRS #25 ITB Rabbit GTI