High oil pressures when cold... Options

[jcwells]

Hello, all...

I'm new to the 914 scene, but have been having a blast reading up on all of the information that is available here at 914world!

I just got my 914 about six weeks ago (details in my signature), and have been able to get answers to a bunch of my questions by pounding on the search button. But here is one that I haven't been able to figure out on my own.

The car is currently running on Brad Penn 20W50 oil, which is highly recommended by Jake Raby and others. Here on the Front Range in Colorado, as the weather has started getting a lot cooler, I've noticed that my oil pressures are quite a bit higher than in warmer conditions. Specifically, with ambient temperatures between 30 and 40 deg, I'm getting better than 120 psi oil pressure at 2500-3000 rpm after running for several minutes. As the oil warms (15 minute commute), it drops to a bit below 100 psi at the same revs. I've got a very efficient front mounted oil cooler, and my oil temperatures rarely get to much more than 200 deg in warm weather, and was maybe 120 deg this morning at the end of my commute. In hot weather, my pressure is just a bit more than 20 psi at idle after extended running, but better than 40 psi after my commute this morning.

Couple of questions:

1. Are my hot weather oil pressures somewhat normal?
2. Are my cooler weather oil pressures too high?
3. Should I switch to the Brad Penn 10W40 now that the weather is cooler?

Go easy on me, I'm a noob... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Jake Raby]

Thats not D jet, its SDS.. It just looks liek it's stock becaus eit uses my EFI retrofit kit.

I tested that engine personally and remember it vividly including the 26 hour stint that I stayed awake because of it. The power figures were from my Dyno, they were backed up at SE dyno day earlier this year to near 105 RWHP if I remember correctly.

Just run it as it is, be glad you have excellent pressures..

[jcwells]

Thats not D jet, its SDS.. It just looks liek it's stock becaus eit uses my EFI retrofit kit.

I tested that engine personally and remember it vividly including the 26 hour stint that I stayed awake because of it. The power figures were from my Dyno, they were backed up at SE dyno day earlier this year to near 105 RWHP if I remember correctly.

Just run it as it is, be glad you have excellent pressures..

Thanks for the reassurance, Jake. I wasn't 100% certain on the details of the build, but the dyno plots that I have look just like the ones that you present on your site. I can also confirm your 105 RWHP recollection from chassis dyno results.

As I learn more about my particular car, I'm more and more tickled with my good fortune. Rest assured, I'll do all I can to enjoy and preserve this little gem.

Looking at the picture you supplied...

The oil pressure sender is mounted up on the fan shroud, passenger side. I pointed it out.

But I'm curious about the apparent fuel injectors. This looks interesting, and decidedly non-stock. I know that you're not totally familiar with the build, but if anyone else can chime in, I'd be interested. It looks rather unique...



-Josh2

Josh, thanks for detailing my picture. Indeed, the injectors are non-stock. They are off the shelf Bosch injectors, plumbed with a custom-built fuel rail, and driven by an SDS EM-4D EFI system. I love the simple programmability, and the flexibility offered by this system. The system was programmed in Atlanta, and so I still have a bit of fine tuning for running here at altitude, but it's working really well just as it is.

I can take no credit for the implementation, just the good fortune of finding a nicely set up 914 at what I thought was a fair price. With all of the great support from fellow 914world'ers, I'm hoping to enjoy this ride for many years! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)